Peoples' Champion.

Heartfelt words from the PM Gordon Brown in the euology to the late Fife Labour MP John MacDougall.

"PRIME MINISTER Gordon Brown led the tributes yesterday at the funeral of Glenrothes MP John MacDougall, praising his friend as a “people’s champion.” The funeral of the Labour MP, who died last week from mesothelioma, an asbestos- related lung cancer, took place in Burntisland yesterday. Mr MacDougall (60), who is survived by his wife Cathy, son Scott, daughter Julie and mother Barbara, was laid to rest in the town’s cemetery following a service at a packed Erskine Church conducted by the Rev John Allan. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was a close friend, was among a number of politicians who paid their respects. In his eulogy he told fellow mourners that they had lost a tireless fighter for social justice, an endlessly loyal champion of decent values and a great family man who had shown the greatest of courage, both politically and in facing his illness. He continued, “John MacDougall was a man who spoke up for Fife, lived a life of public service in Fife and was repeatedly elected and re-elected to represent Fife."

Sad News.

Carnegie was saddened to read of the death of Fife Labour MP John MacDougall.

"Scottish Labour MP John MacDougall has died after a long illness. The MP for the Fife town of Glenrothes had been battling mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, for some time. His death will trigger a by-election in the seat, which neighbours Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency."

He will be missed and the reality is that there will be very fewer takers to bet that the Labour Party will hold onto his seat at the by-election.

Remember when Labour used to dominate Fife politics? Not any more. And probably the beginning of the end for PM Gordon Brown if he can't even hold a seat on his own "patch."

Shameful Politics.

If this story is true then the SNP and Lib Dems in Fife should hang their heads in shame.

"MP John MacDougall, who is battling cancer, has vowed to return to Westminster and fight the next election. The 60-year-old Labour MP for Glenrothes spoke out after it emerged SNP and Lib Dem bosses were planning for a by-election in his seat. He said an operation for mesothelioma, which attacks the lungs, had been a success and he was working in his constituency office. He said: "My intention is to fight the next election and to win it."

They should be ashamed of themselves. All the best Mr MacDougall.

Mr Director.

Speaking of MP's interests, well John MacDougall MP for Glenrothes can beat most, with his declaration that in his career he went from being a "boilermaker" to being a member of the Institute of Directors. A career change which probably helped contribute to one of his "leisure" interests, "vintage cars."

He has style and maybe even a bit of class.

Fife's cheap democracy.

Carnegie reads the list of expenses of Fife's elected Westminster MPs which was helpfully published in The Herald.

Topping the list of expenses claimed by a Fife MP was Lib Dem Willie Rennie, although he came in at a much more modest number 27 in the listing of all Scotland's 59 Westminster MPs, next was Sir Menzies Campbell at 37, then came Gordon Brown at 46, with John MacDougall bringing up the rear at number 54 in the Scotland rankings, albeit that he claimed one hundred and thirty thousand pounds.

Mr Carnegie is sure that these self effacing and modest claims, by Scottish standards, although amongst the most expensive in the UK, will be welcomed by Fife's voters.

None of the above.

Carnegie read in one of the weekend's political diaries speculation that Fife Labour MP John MacDougall is likely to stand down at the next General Election, whenever it is held, because of ill health. He also reads that possible successors include possible former MSP Christine May, MEP Catherine Stihler, and ... incredibly former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish.

Carnegie is tempted to say "none of the above" given that the first two have already been rejected by Fife voters and the third probably has other things to be doing with his time. Is this really the best that Labour can offer the Fife proletariat? Carnegie is surprised that Gordon Brown's "right hand man" in Fife, Councillor Alex Rowley, hasn't been tempted to throw his hat into the ring. Perhaps he will now that we have another two years until the next General Election?