The four main candidates in the forthcoming Glenrothes by-election today clashed over education and the economy.

The four main candidates in the forthcoming Glenrothes by-election today clashed over education and the economy.

Nationalist Peter Grant, the local council leader, rejected claims from local headteacher Lindsay Roy of Labour that education is facing cuts.

Lib Dem Harry Wills and Tory Maurice Golden also said on BBC Scotland's Politics Show today that they can win the seat which will be contested November 6.

Mr Roy, the 59-year-old rector of Kirkcaldy High School, said: "From my perspective, the honeymoon for the SNP is over."

He gave the Nationalists credit for freezing the council tax, but said there has been a "hidden agenda".

Mr Roy said: "The SNP Government promised to make up the shortfall.

"So what we've had is cuts in education, cuts in healthcare."

But this was rejected by Mr Grant, the SNP leader of Fife Council, who said: "That's not true. The education budget has increased - we've increased the education budget by 10%."

But Mr Roy retorted: "Not in my school."

Mr Golden insisted the Tories are fighting "to win the election".

He said: "We're seeing a lot of people swinging, a lot of people undecided and I'm seeing on the doorsteps feedback that's very positive for the Conservatives."

The Lib Dems already have two MPs in Fife and overturned an 11,000 Labour majority to win the neighbouring Dunfermline and West Fife seat in the 2006 by-election.

Mr Wills said: "I'm fighting for Fife - I'm fighting on the economic issues of Fife - local and national.

"We're the only party in this campaign offering to give tax back to the people - offering to put money back in people's pockets.

Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott recently called for the Scottish Government to use its power at Holyrood to cut income tax by 2 pence.

Labour hold a 10,500 majority in the seat, but this is smaller than that which the SNP overturned to win Glasgow East in the summer.