Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
2005 Results:
Labour: 24278 (58.1%)
SNP: 6062 (14.5%)
Liberal Democrat: 5450 (13%)
Conservative: 4308 (10.3%)
Other: 1698 (4.1%)
Majority: 18216 (43.6%)
Boundary changes prior to 2005 election: Name of seat changed from Kirkcaldy.
2001 Result
Conservative: 3013 (10.7%)
Labour: 15227 (54.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 2849 (10.1%)
SNP: 6264 (22.2%)
Other: 804 (2.9%)
Majority: 8963 (31.8%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 4779 (13.7%)
Labour: 18730 (53.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 3031 (8.7%)
SNP: 8020 (22.9%)
Referendum: 413 (1.2%)
Majority: 10710 (30.6%)
No Boundary Changes
Current MP: Gordon Brown (Labour) born 1951, Giffnoch, the son of a Church of Scotland minister. Educated at Kirkcaldy High School and the University of Edinburgh. Elected Rector of Edinburgh University in 1972 while still a student. Worked as a lecturer and television journalist prior to his election as an MP. Contested Edinburgh South 1979. First elected as MP for Dunfermline East in 1983. Became a shadow spokesman on Trade and Industry in 1985, shadow chief secretary in 1987, shadoe secretary of state for trade and industry in 1989 and shadow chancellor in 1992. Gordon Brown had been tipped as a potential future leader of the party prior to the death of John Smith. In the event Brown chose not to ontest the leadership, reputed after an agreement with Tony Blair, sealed at the Granita restaurant, that only one of the two men should stand, and that in return Brown would receive control of economic policy.
Brown became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1997, he first act being to give the Bank of England independence. He initially followed Conservative spending commitments, a hangover from Labour’s period of opposition when they were keen to neutralise the reputation of being tax raisers, and later governing according to a `golden rule` of borrowing only to invest over the economic cycle. Opponents accused Brown of significantly raising taxes during his tenure as Chancellor, largely through `stealth` taxation.
The rivalry between Brown and Blair was a defining feature of the Blair premiership, characterised by behind the scene briefings. Brown, with his public image of being a dour, prudent, uncharismatic Scotsman forever waiting for his chance at power, was famously described by an unnamed source – widely assumed to be Alistair Campbell – of being `psychologically flawed`. For many years the media speculated that those around Tony Blair wished to block Gordon Brown’s succession as Prime Minister, with such figures as Alan Milburn, John Reid and David Miliband being mooted as alternatives to Brown at various points. In the event Gordon Brown was the only candidate to secure enough nominations to stand, and he became Labour leader, and hence Prime Minister, without a contest in June 2007 (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: Lindsay Paterson (Conservative) Educated at St Andrews University. Editor for a publishing company. Contested Livingston 2003 Scottish election, Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 2005.
John Mainland (Liberal Democrat) Contested Kirkcaldy 1997.
Michael Smith (BNP) Farmer.
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 93273
Male: 47.9%
Female: 52.1%
Under 18: 23.2%
Over 60: 22.5%
Born outside UK: 2.7%
White: 98.7%
Black: 0.2%
Asian: 0.7%
Mixed: 0.2%
Other: 0.3%
Christian: 57.4%
Graduates 16-74: 16.2%
No Qualifications 16-74: 35.1%
Owner-Occupied: 62%
Social Housing: 30.9% (Council: 29%, Housing Ass.: 1.9%)
Privately Rented: 3.2%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 2.3%
It will take more than giving the ‘best triubute to Jacko’ in order to save the PM at the next GE!
Gordon Brown despite you’re going to lose the next general election instead you’re going retain your seat of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath easily because your constituency loves you more than your counterpart challengers for this seat. Gordon i don’t want your people to eject you from this seat
What seats was Cowdenbeath in before 1983?
On the subject of Brown not being able to say anything about the Scottish government’s decision to release the Lockerbie Bomber, I think the argument that the UK government isn’t allowed to make any comment on a Scottish matter doesn’t really stand up to scrutiny for the simple reason that both the UK and Scottish governments habitually make judgemental comments and statements regarding the policies of governments all around the world. I think people want to hear what he thinks about this issue.
I agree. He can’t possibly get away with not saying anything. If he doesn’t release a statement then the next time he’s interviewed he’ll be asked about it. Journalists might try to ask him about it at the party’s conference e.g. whilst he’s walking to / from the stage at the time of his speach.
The media won’t let him get away with silence on this issue.
That’s exactly what Mandleson said, that the decision had nothing to do with the UK government, but it does.
I recall the conflict between Westminster and Holyrood when Mike Tyson was allowed entry into Scotland.
Which seats was Cowdenbeath in 1885-1983?
Was Cowdenbeath in Fife West 1885-1918, Dunfermline Burghs 1918-74 and Dunfermline 1974-83? I am pretty sure that they were, but am just double checking…
I think you are correct Harry except possibly it was in Fife Central 1974-83