Ayr by-election 2000

'Phil Gallie has announced that he would prefer to be elected to Westminster than fight in the Ayr by-election. The Scottish Tories are guilty of using the Scottish Parliament as a means to a London end. When Conservative MSPs say that they would prefer to sit in the House of Commons, their commitment to making the Scottish Parliament work must surely be questioned.'
SNP Deputy Leader, John Swinney, MSP, 5 th January 2000.

Gallie opts out of by-election

From BBC News

Mr Gallie has decided not to give up his list seat

Conservative MSP Phil Gallie has decided not to contest the vacant Ayr constituency in the Scottish parliamentary by-election.

The Tory nominations for the seat close this week, but Mr Gallie, a list MSP, has chosen not to risk standing.

He plans to try again for the Ayr seat in the Westminster parliament.

In May, Mr Gallie polled just 25 votes fewer than Labour's Ian Welsh, who announced last month his resignation to spend time with his family.

'Convinced' of Tory win

After failing to win the constituency seat, Mr Gallie entered the Scottish Parliament via the South of Scotland regional list.

Mr Gallie said he had been "sorely tempted" to give up his list seat and try his luck in the by-election which is likely to be held in March.

Speaking about his decision, Mr Gallie said: "Whoever is selected will have 100% support from me in the campaign and I am convinced that another Conservative voice will be elected strengthening both the Tory group in the Scottish Parliament and local representation.

"I admit to being tempted to change course but I believe my longer term objective to be in the best interest of those I seek to represent and of my party."

Lib Dem scorn

Mr Gallie's move has been scorned by Liberal Democrat Keith Raffan MSP, who said it was a "resounding vote of no confidence" in his party's chances of winning the seat.

"Their chances of overturning Labour's majority of 25 are about as much as Mr Gallie winning the lottery or being hit by an asteroid," he declared.

The parliament's Presiding Officer, Sir David Steel, is still to set a date for the by-election.

However, under the rules, the contest must be held within three months, meaning it has to take place before 21 March.

- Jan 5 th 2000

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