Generalelection2019 Constituency profiles

NORTH EAST FIFE

There is a reason journalists and political analysts have been journeying to the picturesque settings of North East Fife of late – namely the two votes which separated SNP candidate Stephen Gethins from his Lib Dem challenger in 2017.

Mr Gethins wrested control of the seat in 2015 from the Lib Dems – who had controlled the constituency since 1987.

North East Fife is the UK’S most marginal constituency and since even before the general election was the merest glint in Boris Johnson’s eye, both the SNP and Lib Dems have been on a war footing.

Willie Rennie’s Lib Dems announced their contender at the start of the year – even though there was still another three years of parliament to play out. North East Fife is their top target.

The Conservatives are running this election with the same candidate as 2017, Councillor Tony Miklinski.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove earlier this year called the seat a threeway constituency, as the Tory came within 3,655 votes of winning.

The Conservatives could run close again, with the Brexit Party choosing not to stand this year. Similarly, the Greens have opted not to stand which could help both the SNP and Lib Dems. Labour hasn’t polled more than 5,000 votes in a decade.

As well as the famous St Andrews University, the constituency is home to farming and agriculture. We asked how as MPS they would retain graduates in the constituency and how they would protect farmers.