BBC Profile:
The most famous incumbent of the East Fife seat was Liberal Prime Minster Herbert Asquith, who held the then Fife East seat from 1886 until his defeat in 1918. In the inter- and post-war years the seat was held by Conservatives and sitting MP Barry Henderson fended off the challenge from the then Liberal Party's Menzies Campbell in 1979. In 1983, however, Mr Campbell, who was knighted in 2004, came within 2,185 votes of Henderson (following boundary changes which had also resulted in the seat being renamed North East Fife) and in 1987 he won at the third attempt. He went on to increase his percentage majority in each successive general election.
Boundary changes in 2005 brought in the 3,500 voters of the Leven East ward from Central Fife. Sir Menzies managed to once again increase his percentage lead with a majority of 12,571.
There are no boundary changes affecting this seat.
This constituency is rather more prosperous than its Fife neighbours, bearing few traces of heavy industry and is instead characterised by coastline and countryside.
The main town is St Andrews, the home of golf and the location of Scotland's oldest university. The importance of the St Andrews University to the local area is highlighted in census figures which show that North East Fife has the highest rate of inward migration in the Mid Scotland and Fife region. A sizeable 15% of residents are full-time students and there is a large elderly population.
North East Fife has ac
[More...]BBC Profile:
The most famous incumbent of the East Fife seat was Liberal Prime Minster Herbert Asquith, who held the then Fife East seat from 1886 until his defeat in 1918. In the inter- and post-war years the seat was held by Conservatives and sitting MP Barry Henderson fended off the challenge from the then Liberal Party's Menzies Campbell in 1979. In 1983, however, Mr Campbell, who was knighted in 2004, came within 2,185 votes of Henderson (following boundary changes which had also resulted in the seat being renamed North East Fife) and in 1987 he won at the third attempt. He went on to increase his percentage majority in each successive general election.
Boundary changes in 2005 brought in the 3,500 voters of the Leven East ward from Central Fife. Sir Menzies managed to once again increase his percentage lead with a majority of 12,571.
There are no boundary changes affecting this seat.
This constituency is rather more prosperous than its Fife neighbours, bearing few traces of heavy industry and is instead characterised by coastline and countryside.
The main town is St Andrews, the home of golf and the location of Scotland's oldest university. The importance of the St Andrews University to the local area is highlighted in census figures which show that North East Fife has the highest rate of inward migration in the Mid Scotland and Fife region. A sizeable 15% of residents are full-time students and there is a large elderly population.
North East Fife has acres of rich farmland and a number of small fishing villages, and those working in agriculture represent twice the Scottish average. Although the service industry now employs more people than any other, civil servants are highly represented and RAF Leuchars is one of the few large employers in the constituency.
Other attractions include Falkland, a former royal palace, and Scotland's Secret Bunker, the former nuclear command centre for Scotland.
RAF Leuchars, home to the Eurofighter Typhoon jet, is of huge importance to the local economy. It was confirmed in May 2008 that a minimum of two squadrons will remain at Leuchars until at least 2040, securing the base's long-term future.
Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
No Boundary Changes
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17,763 (44.37%)