 | 'What I'm absolutely certain about is that an anti-European, very right-wing, rather extreme personality will simply make sure that we go into the next election campaign in exactly the same sort of state we've gone into this one.' Edwina Curry, MP for Derbyshire South, 11 pm on 1 May 1997, speculating on a successor to John Major after the first election result. |  |
Mr Scott pledged to make every effort "to ensure that Ayr sends a very strong message to Donald Dewar's bumbling Executive in Edinburgh."
At the same time Mr Alex Smith, Labour's former Euro-MP for South of Scotland, announced he was throwing his hat into the ring. Mr Smith, regarded by the leadership as a left-winger, was effectively deselected for the Euro-elections in June when the party placed him fifth on the list, ensuring he would not be returned to Strasbourg. His local party ordered him to step down from the Labour list in protest. If he succeeds in gaining the selection locally by one-member-one-vote he could still be barred by Labour's by-election panel.
As the parties slipped their campaigns into gear, Mr Scott said Ayr had been badly let down by Labour. "I intend to ensure that they elect a local candidate that they can rely on to fight for the things that matter to Ayr. I am fighting this election to champion the issues that matter to the people of Ayr."
The contest was caused by the surprise resignation of Labour's Ian Welsh who won Ayr by only 25 votes over the Tories in May but has quit for family reasons.
Ayrshireman Mr Scott established the Ayrshire Farmer's Market and is a prominent figure in the National Farmers Union of Scotland. He served on the Tories' Rifkind Policy Commission as the rural affairs commissioner and wrote the rural affairs policy group report.
Married with a son and daughter, he fought Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley in the Scottish Parliament elections where he increased the Conservative vote.
- Jan 14 2000
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