Christine May MSP

Central Fife first elected 2003

In this centenary year of the Labour Party, many of us can recall a time when the majority had only a coal fire in one room in the house, condensation frozen on the inside of windows in winter, working hours of 50-60 per week, and women forced to leave many jobs on marriage.

The Labour Party, in both National and Local Government, was responsible for changing a very great many of those dreadful conditions through council house modernisation, working with trade unions to get a better deal for workers, equal rights for women, a fair deal for consumers, better labelling of foods, a cleaner environment, better health provision and comprehensive education.

During my time in the Party in Fife, I have seen Labour provide free transport and TV licences for older citizens, universal nursery provision for Fife’s children, support for and development of community businesses, better public transport and a quality of education, leisure and arts service of which we are justifiably proud.

Most of all, however, Labour in Fife has encouraged and developed the role of women in political life. The miners strike of the 80s made women rise up in protest—the Labour Party supported them to get elected and carry on the work of women such as Jennie Lee and Beatrice Webb.