The Saint
General election 2010 polls open
Voters in Britain have their say on who they want to see in government
Andreea Nemes
British voters go to the polls today to elect who will represent them in government. In the constituency of North East Fife voters will choose between five candidates: the Conservative's Miles Briggs, Labour's Mark Hood, the Scottish National Party's Rod Campbell, the UK Independence Party's Mike Scott-Hayward and the incumbent MP, Liberal Democrat Sir Menzies Campbell.
North East Fife has been a Liberal Democrat constituency since 1987, when Sir Menzies Campbell won the seat against Conservative MP, Barry Henderson. The Lib Dems have since then performed consistently well in Fife against the other parties. In 1997, 2001 and 2005 the party won with almost double the percentage of its closest opponent, the Conservative party.
On Monday, the April 25, the candidates gathered in Lower Parliament Hall for a Question Time-style debate organised by the Union Debating Society. MSP Ian Smith represented Sir Menzies Campbell, who was unwell, and the SNP's Rod Campbell did not attend.
Association President Andrew Keenan presided over the debate in which students submitted questions on topics such as electoral reform, Scottish independence and graduate unemployment prospects. All the candidates emphasised the importance of electoral reform as well as the need for a manageable manifesto. Scott-Hayward repeatedly referred to a pressing need for Britain to leave the EU, while Smith highlighted the need to stimulate the economy. Briggs stated the Tory's commitment to creating more employment opportunities and Hood commented on Labours work during the Recession.
Most students questioned after the debate seemed to agree that Lib Dem, Ian Smith, came across as the most coherent and engaging candidate, indicating that Campbell may be re-elected. However, one student remarked that this was due to the fact that the majority of students present supported the Lib Dem party.
Some students were disappointed that larger national issues such as Trident were not discussed.
After the debate Keenan said he was pleased that the candidates really got into it and had some proper exchanges and arguments, which he said brought out a lot more detail than repeating policies.
At the time of going to press, opinion polls showed that the Conservative Party has been steadily leading. It remains to be seen whether this trend will apply to North East Fife or whether the Liberal Democrats will retain this parliamentary seat.
