Ayr by-election 2000

'New Labour is completely out of step with the vast majority of the membership, and is the best recruiting sergeant the SNP has, because it panders to middle England.'
Bob Thomson, former chairman and secretary of the Labour Party in Scotland, 20 th February 2000.

SNP kick-starts Ayr campaign

From BBC News

The Scottish National Party has launched its campaign for next month's by-election in Ayr.

Leader Alex Salmond declared it a three-horse race between his party's candidate Jim Mather, Labour and the Tories.

His claim was directly at odds with Labour's assertion that it or the Tories would win.

The SNP launched its campaign at Ayr racecourse, where Mr Salmond said: "The Tories were put out of office because they had failed on jobs, health, crime and education.

"Nearly three years on, New Labour has carried on the same agenda designed for Middle England not South West Scotland.

'Crisis' claim

"The first Scottish Parliament by-election comes as New Labour's administration here in Scotland is in crisis.

"The Lord Advocate's resignation, cabinet splits, advisers being lost, jobs for the boys, turf wars with London.

"With the Tories as out of touch with Scotland as ever, they are in a far weaker position now than they were last May when they failed to win the seat.

"By contrast, the SNP support is solid and moving in an upwards direction."

Jim Mather added that he wanted to join a Scottish Parliament which actually made a difference - one which created "real jobs, improves healthcare and tackles crime and vandalism".

Meanwhile, Labour candidate Rita Miller pointed to an opinion poll, published in the Daily Record newspaper, which indicated the by-election was a two-horse race.

'Two-race battle'

She said: "The battle is between a Labour Party which is delivering for the many not the few and the Tories, who are out of touch and increasingly a party dominated by extremists.

"The people of the Ayr constituency have to decide whether they want to put a smile on the face of William Hague or whether they want an MSP who will work with the Scottish Executive to deliver a better life for the people of Ayr."

The Scottish Opinion Ltd survey showed Labour at 28.8%, the Conservatives at 22.5%, the SNP at 13.9%, the Lib Dems at 0.4% and Scottish Socialist Party at 1.1%.

But out of the 578 adults surveyed there were 33.6% who said they were unsure.

The Ayr by-election, which takes place on 16 March, was caused by the resignation last year of Labour MSP Ian Welsh.

21 st February 2000

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