GE15: North East Fife

The SNP take North East Fife - a seat deemed one of the safest in the country for the Liberal Democrats.

The Result

It was a night of highs and lows for the candidates standing in the constituency. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats both conceded to the SNP early in the evening. Conservative candidate Huw Bell criticised the Liberal Democrats, claiming they'd fought a 'dirty campaign'. The outcome of the vote will come as a shock to many people in the region who've been led for decades by Sir Menzies Campbell.

Breakdown

Who is Stephen Gethins?

Stephen is 39 and married with a young daughter. He now lives in Cupar, moving from Edinburgh. He grew up in Perth and attended Perth Academy. He has a degree in Law from the University of Dundee, specialising in Public International Law.  Stephen also has a Research Masters from the University of Kent on the role devolved parliaments have in preventing and resolving conflict between different ethnic groups. Mr Gethins' most recent role was as a Special Advisor to Alex Salmond on European and International matters, and Rural Affairs, Energy, and Climate Change. Stephen has worked in peace-building, arms control and promoting democracy in the Balkans, in the border between Europe and Asia, and the former Soviet Union. He also worked at Scotland Europa, helping Scottish organisations gain influence and funding in the EU.

Defeat for Tim Brett

Background - The Constituency

Boundary changes led to the creation of the North East Fife seat in 2005. The Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies (Ming) Campbell secured the seat with 20, 088 votes or 52.1% of the vote. He retained the seat in 2010 with 17, 763 or 44.3% of the vote. The Conservatives came second with 8, 715 votes, Labour came third with the SNP fourth and UKIP fifth.