 | 'The natural state of affairs is for voters to hold politicians in contempt and for journalists to regard them, as HL Mencken advised, as a convenient lamp-post to cock a leg at.' Iain MacWhirter in the Herald, 2 nd February 2000. |  |
| 'The natural state of affairs is for voters to hold politicians in contempt and for journalists to regard them, as HL Mencken advised, as a convenient lamp-post to cock a leg at.' Iain MacWhirter in the Herald, 2 nd February 2000. | |
The Scottish Green Party has joined the fight for Scotland's most marginal seat. The party says that it is determined to build on its position as ScotlandÕs fifth political force and has set its sights on overtaking the Liberal Democrats.
The Greens say that their decision to stand follows requests from Ayr voters to give them a Green option on the ballot paper. Green MSP Robin Harper said:
ÒIn last yearÕs Scottish Parliament election we made clear that we think old-style Òfirst-past-the-postÓ elections totally unfair. And we won the support of 84,000 voters with our Ò2nd vote GreenÓ campaign.
ÒHowever, I have been struck by the number of people in Ayr who have contacted us, hoping that they will have continue to have a Green option on the ballot paper. I believe, that in this historic by-election, it is right to respond to this popular demand.Ó
In both Scottish and European elections last year the Greens outpolled Tommy SheridanÕs Scottish Socialist Party in Ayr. In the June Euro election the Green vote was less than 300 below the Liberal Democrats. The party believes that its fortunes will continue to soar.
The Scottish Green Party is currently balloting members to choose its candidate and will announce the result next Monday.
CONTACT
Gavin Corbett, 0131 337 5227 or 07980 499163
Ayr Campaign Office, 01292 283855
Robin Harper 0131 348 5927
8 th February 2000
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