The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Palestine aid chief to stand for Labour
APalestine medical charity boss based in London has been picked to stand for Labour in the Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy seat at the next general election.
Melanie Ward was chosen to replace disgraced candidate Wilma Brown, who was ditched by the party after she liked posts on social media describing Humza Yousaf as the “First Minister of Gaza” and “Hamas Yousless”.
Ms Ward is an experienced humanitarian worker and currently serves as the chief executive of UK charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
She previously stood for Labour in Glenrothes at the 2015 election, where she suffered a resounding defeat to the SNP.
Councillor Mary Lockhart, who represents Lochgelly, claimed local party activists were cut out of the selection process and only became aware of Ms Ward being chosen via the media.
But she added: “There is no doubt many members will welcome the choice made for them.”
Another Fife Labour source said: “It has not been robust at all. She’s been parachuted in.”
Labour bosses said Ms Ward was given the green light to stand as part of a “streamlined” contest.
It was deemed necessary as the party had been forced to ditch Ms Brown.
Labour’s national governing body jointly interviewed seven different candidates along with senior party figures in Fife.
It is understood there was an “overwhelming” consensus that Ms Ward was the strongest contender for the seat.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “All candidates are selected in line with the rules and procedures of the party.”
Another Fife Labour source said: “She’s got a really good record.
“She’s really intelligent and she would be a good MP for the area.”
They were also not concerned by Ms Ward being based in London, adding: “It’s not something that bothers me. She’s got the experience of being a good campaigner.”
Ms Ward failed in a bid to run for London seat Beckenham and Penge before she was picked to run in Fife.
She has played a key role in providing support to Palestinians trapped in Gaza since the conflict erupted last October.
Her team sent global health workers into Gaza and has provided around $7 million (£5.6m) in medical supplies.
Ms Ward was recently named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential health workers in the world.
Her candidacy comes at a time when UK Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer has faced months of pressure over his lack of support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, by contrast, has backed calls to halt the conflict as quickly as possible.
A party spokesperson said: “Melanie Ward has an impressive and proven track record in fighting injustice and delivering change in politics and the third sector.”
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy – an area previously held by former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown – will be a key target seat for the party.
The constituency is currently held by Alba Party MP Neale Hanvey, who defected from the SNP in 2021.