Election: ‘unfinished’ business for Kirkcaldy Lib Dem candidate, Fraser Graham

The first two sit at the heart of the party’s manifesto,and the colour is the second vote which it wants from voters to underpin its team of MSPs at Holyrood.

The Lib Dems used to have a core of councillors in Kirkcaldy, but that has withered in recent years with the party focusing much of its efforts on its heartland in North East Fife.

The 3361 votes polled by Alice Soper in the 2007 Scottish election has drifted south to just over 1000, with the party falling to fifth spot in 2011, recovering some ground at the last poll in 2016.

Fraser Graham is standing in Kirkcaldy for a second time. In 2024 he stood in the General Election, finishing fifth behind ReformUK, but ahead of the Scottish Greens and Alba.

After losing his deposit, he admits there is some unfinished business in the Lang Toun where his parents live.

“The aim is to grow our share of the vote, and this campaign is much more energetic,” he said. “Last time we got a lot of national media attention because they thought the General Election seat might go either way. We had BBC and STV on our trail which was all new to me.”

The Lib Dems have been out and about for some time, and plan a big push this weekend ahead of the vote on Thursday May 7, and they report similar feedback to the other parties - people want change, and that’s where the peach ballot paper comes in.

Fraser said: We have been out speaking to a lot of people and th reaction has been good. We were in Seafield recently talking to residents and have been back out to see how our messaging is going across.

“People do have an appetite for change. Our message is your peach vote is key - take away the opportunity for the SNP to get a majority.”

It is also key to the party securing a list MSP for mid Sotland and Fife - a region where it doesn’t have one.

The Lib Dems’ manifesto includes some key points, including making it easier to get treatment at GP surgeries, tackling bed blocking in hospitals, completing major major infrastructure projects, and improving our education system.

“A lot of work gone into our manifesto,” said Fraser. “It is fully costed and fully transparent - change with fairness at its heart.

“We know things need to change and we need new voices. People are fed up, and partly they are fed up with politicians - to be honest I can agree with them - and we see so much point scoring at Holyrood rather than constructive efforts trying to do something positive.”

The cost of living crisis is central to many debates, with rising bills hitting every household, and business.

“I work as an architect and can see how it is impacting on my profession. Businesses are pulling back on projects or putting them on hold, contractors are then hit by those decisions, and their costs for fuel and materials are also rising. It is a struggle for everyone on many different levels.

“We are having a lot of serious conversations with voters who are disaffected - decent, hard working people. They want a different option - we are that option.

“We are also finding our vote coming back. People who have gone to the SNP are coming back - the move didn’t give them what they voted for so they want something different.” The campaign steps up a gear with an action weekend planned for Saturday and Sunday with the team out and about, and not just for Holyrood. The 2027 local authority elections are up next, and the Lib Dems have one eye on strengthening their numbers at Fife House.

There is also a hustings in Glenrothes - none are planned in Kirkcaldy - which marks a homecoming for Fraser.

“These events mean we can speak to more people,” he said. “Part of this campaign is the long campaign leading up to the next council election. Lib Dems already doing a lot of great work at Fife House - they have shown what we can do as a party and make a positive change for Scotland.”