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BBC News Online: UK: Scotland

Friday, 17 March, 2000, 03:02 GMT

Tories walking on Ayr

The Conservatives have snatched Ayr from Labour, giving them their first directly-elected seat in the Scottish Parliament.

The Tories' candidate John Scott polled 12,580 votes and won with a majority of 3,344.

The Scottish National Party came second with 9,236, beating Labour into third place on 7,054 votes.

Vote share May 1999/March 2000
Labour - 38.1%/22%
Tory - 38%/39.4%
SNP - 19.5%/29%
Lib Dems - 4.4%/2.5%
Turnout - 66%/57%

The Scottish Socialist Party, which has one MSP, secured fourth place on 1,345 votes.

The Liberal Democrats were fifth with 800. Other candidates polled 885 votes.

In his victory speech, Mr Scott said: "This result signals that the revival of the Scottish Tory party is well and truly under way.

"If tonight's results are repeated across the country at the next General Election, we will once again see Scottish Conservative seats in double figures.

"This result is a stunning endorsement of David McLetchie's leadership in Scotland and indeed William Hague's understanding and sensitivity to the particular needs and priorities of the party in Scotland. John Scott

"It shows that both men are making devolution work, in stark contrast to Tony Blair and Donald Dewar, who speak the language of devolution but don't understand the word."

Labour took the constituency at last May's election by just 25 votes, the smallest majority in the Scottish Parliament, but the winner, Ian Welsh, resigned in December.

Turnout this time was 57%, compared with 66% in May.

Last year, the Conservatives returned 18 MSPs from the regional lists, created by the system of proportional representation, but failed to win any constituency seats outright.

Tory 'one-hit blunder'

The win gives them their first by-election gain from a rival party in Scotland since 1967.

The by-election was described as the public's first real chance to give their opinions of the Scottish Executive's performance since devolution.

Labour's campaign co-ordinator, Andy Kerr, blamed a range of factors for his party's defeat. "This is mid-term and this is what happens at by-elections," he said.

"We still feel very confident in terms of the Westminster election and we believe John Scott to be a one-hit blunder."

Rita Miller, the Labour candidate, said: "We fought this election on the issues and refused to be diverted in spite of the wishes of others who wanted us to be diverted.

"Labour has delivered for the people of Ayr and will continue to deliver for the people of Ayr."

'Keep the Clause' influence

Chief among the issues on the hustings was the executive's intention to repeal Section 28, the law which bans the promotion of homosexuality in schools.

Stagecoach millionaire Brian Souter, leading supporter of the anti Section 28 repeal campaign, said: "There is no doubt this was the 'keep the clause' by-election.

"The party that fought repeal won. The major parties who supported repeal lost."

SNP leader, Alex Salmond, said: "The SNP have done astonishingly well. To come anywhere near winning this by-election would be the most sensational result."

His party's candidate, Jim Mather, said: "We couldn't have scripted a better outcome. There is not a seat in Scotland where we are not relevant and compelling."

Socialists' delight

Scottish Socialist Party convener, Tommy Sheridan MSP, rejoiced in climbing above the Lib Dems.

"I don't need a bit of paper to make my speech because the fire of socialism burns in my heart."

"This is another stunning result for the SSP, Scotland's newest, fastest- growing and most radical party.

"The four-party system is now dead. The Scottish Socialist Party is the new team on the block."

Stuart Ritchie, Liberal Democrat candidate, said: "I think the turnout at this by-election delivers a damning blow to all those critics of the Scottish Parliament."

Lib Dem MSP George Lyon declared: "It's quite clear that the protest vote went with the Scottish Socialist Party and the SNP."

'We will listen'

Speaking before the declaration, Health Minister, Susan Deacon, stressed: "It is a by-election and I think it's very important to remember that.

"The voters are intelligent, the electorate are sophisticated. They know they are in a by-election.

"They can express an opinion at a moment in time as distinct from choosing a government.

"Of course we will be listening to the views expressed here tonight but it's very important to put it in context."

The full result:

William Clifton Botcherby, Scottish Independent "The Radio Vet" - 186

Gavin Corbett, Scottish Green Party - 460

Kevin James Dillon, Independent, Anti-Cloning - 15

Robert Graham, Pro-Life Alliance - 111

Jim Mather, Scottish National Party - 9,236

Alistair David McConnachie, UK Independence Party - 113

Rita Miller, Scottish Labour Party - 7,054

Stuart David Ritchie, Scottish Liberal Democrats - 800

John Scott, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - 12,580

James Scott Stewart, Scottish Socialist Party - 1,345

Spoiled papers - 58

Related to this story:
Tory farmer's triumph (16 Mar 00 | Scotland)
Ayr by-election - picture gallery (17 Mar 00 | Scotland)
Ayr-time on the internet (15 Mar 00 | Scotland)

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