Ayr by-election Result 16 th March 2000

'Questions are going to be asked about Tony Blair's ability to deliver for the Labour Party.'
Professor John Curtice, BBC Scotland, 17 th March 2000.

Tories walking on Ayr

From BBC News

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.

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

The Liberal Democrats were fourth 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.

"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."

Regional lists

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.

The win gives the Conservatives their first by-election gain from a rival party 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.

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.

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 epxressed here tonight but it's very important to put it in context."

March 17 th 2000

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