Tribute paid to Labour stalwarts

Two Labour stalwarts have announced this week that they will not be seeking re-election to Fife Council. Cowdenbeath councillor John Simpson and Cardenden councillor Margot Doig will both bow out of frontline politics at the next council elections being held in May next year.

Fife’s former Provost John Simpson will retire after a career that spanned five decades  serving first on Cowdenbeath Town Council being elected as a councillor in 1962 and going on to serve on Dunfermline District and Fife Council. Mr Simpson has held the highest positions in both political and civic office when he was the leader of Dunfearmline District Council at the time of reorganisation and served  as the finance boss on the new Fife Council before taking up the position of  Fife Provost. During that period he has served his home town of Cowdenbeath as  well
as spells serving Kelty, Kingseat, Lumphinans, Hill of Beath and Crossgates  and cites the replacement of the miners rows and prefabs his most fulfilling achievement.

Paying tribute to Mr Simpson Fife Labour leader Alex Rowley said; “John Simpson has had a distinguished career in local government  doing what he loved best helping others and serving local communities in central  Fife. Never a man to mince his words, John has always been honest and a  straight talker who stood up for what he believed in based on his values of  social justice and fairness. The new leisure centre in Cowdenbeath and the  massive investment that went into up grading council housing throughout the area  making the stock amongst the best in the country were just two of the many  achievements that John should be recognised for”.

Former Kirkcaldy District councillor Margot Doig will also step down next year  after 20 years as a local councillor for Cardenden. Mrs Doig has held a number of prominent positions in her council career including chair of the Kirkcaldy area, but it will be her work in the Cardenden community she will be best remembered.

Labour councillor Mark Hood who has worked with Mrs Doig since they were both elected in 2007 said “Margot Doig has been strong voice for the Cardenden area for many years, she has always made sure that the interests of the Cardenden community were put first when decisions were being made. As a new councillor working alongside Margot I was grateful for the breath of knowledge and the education she was able to pass on and I know that her experience and hard work was very much appreciated and will be missed”.

Fife Labour confirmed that an  event to formally recognise both councillors for their contribution to  the local  community and to Fife will be  held in the new year.