The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lib Dems accused of ‘giving up’
The Liberal Democrats have been accused of giving up on their former stronghold of North East Fife after fielding a ‘retiring’ councillor.
Elizabeth Riches was unveiled as the party’s choice to fight for the Westminster seat held for 28 years by former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
After 27 years as an East Neuk councillor, Mrs Riches had chosen against standing for another term in the ward.
Although she is a candidate for the local election in Cowdenbeath, she is not expected to win in the area currently dominated by Labour and the SNP.
SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth, whose Holyrood constituency includes part of the North East Fife Westminster constituency, claimed her selection to stand in the general election showed the party had given up on the seat.
She said: “That the Lib Dems have selected a parliamentary candidate who has given up being a councillor in the East Neuk and is currently trying to become a councillor in Cowdenbeath instead is bizarre.
“It highlights that they are turning their back on North East Fife and are not seriously trying to win here.”
She said it showed the battle for the North East Fife seat was “clearly now a fight between SNP and the Tories”.
Linda Holt, Conservative candidate in Mrs Riches’ East Neuk and Landward ward, said: “It shows they are not serious about winning the seat.
“First they had to field her as a paper candidate in Cowdenbeath, now they have had to recycle a councillor who clearly wants to retire.
“They clearly haven’t got anyone else to put up, their support has collapsed,” she said.
However, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie denied the party was giving up and said it had many members who wanted to contest the constituency.
Mrs Riches was chosen, he said, as a “big hitter” with great support and all the credentials for an MP.
He said: “She has served her time on the council and when I put it to her this would be a fresh challenge she didn’t hesitate.
“Elizabeth Riches will be a cracking MP.
“She has the determination, energy, intellect and steely backbone that North East Fife needs.”
Giving his backing to Mrs Riches, Sir Menzies praised her “tenacity, political judgment and energy”.
He said: “She will be a tremendous advocate for every corner of the constituency.”
Retired teacher Mrs Riches said: “I want to be the MP for North East Fife so that I can stand up in Westminster for our area.
“North East Fife deserves a representative who will put the needs of the local area first.
“I will aim to provide a first class service for the constituency just like Menzies Campbell and I will work as part of a strong local team alongside our councillors and Willie Rennie.”