 | 'In East Ayrshire, Labour's David Shaw, a former Conservative who bcame wealthy in the dairly business aid "I will fight hard for local people because I know residents want someone to stand up for fairness and for local services. In North Ayrshire, however, the SNP gained the Kilbirnie & Beith ward with a 15 % swing from Labour in a by-election with the election of Anthea Dickson as the new councillor.' Robbie Dinwoodie, Chief Scottish Political Correspondent in the Herald, 13 th November 2008. |  |
A by-election was held in the Ballochmyle ward of East Ayrshire Council on the 11 th December 2008 following the resignation of Labour Cllr Eric Jackson, announced on the 24 th September and effective on the 10 th October 2008.
Ballochmyle is in the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Rt Hon Des Browne MP) and in the Kilmarnock & Loudoun Scottish parliamentary seat (held by the Scottish National Party's Cllr Willie Coffey MSP). In May 2007, four Cllrs were elected: Cllr Eric Jackson (Labour), Cllr James Kelly (Labour), Cllr Neil McGhee (Labour) and Cllr Jim Roberts (SNP)
Labour hold.
Trivia: The present Lord Mauchline's father is the rightful King Michael I of England (Michael Hastings, 14th earl of Loudoun). See
Britain's Real Monarch for more details.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Cllr David Shaw Labour Newly elected Cllr |
Cllr Jimmy Kelly Labour |
Cllr Neil McGhee Labour |
Cllr Jim Roberts Scottish National Party |
| Seats | Candidates | Counts | Electorate | Valid votes | % poll | Quota | Rejected votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 3 | 3,336 | % | 1,669 | 29 |
| Candidate | Logo | Party | 1 st Pref | Share | Quota | Count | Status | Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Shaw |  |
Labour | 1,598 | 47.90 % | 0.96 | 3 | Made Quota | 1 |
| Roseanne Savage |  |
Scottish National Party | 1,129 | 33.84 % | 0.68 | 3 | Eliminated | |
| Janette McAlpine |  |
Conservative & Unionist | 273 | 8.18 % | 0.16 | 3 | Eliminated | |
| Danny Masterton |  |
Solidarity | 243 | 7.28 % | 0.15 | 3 | Eliminated | |
| Ian Fraser |  |
Liberal Democrat | 93 | 2.79 % | 0.06 | 2 | Eliminated |
| Adjustments | Exclusion of Fraser | Exclusion of Masterton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Count 1 | Count 2 | Count 3 |
| David Shaw | |
Labour | 1,598 | + 19 1,617 |
+ 58 1,675 Elected |
| Roseanne Savage | |
Scottish National Party | 1,129 | + 31 1,160 |
+ 101 1,261 Not elected |
| Janette McAlpine | |
Conservative & Unionist | 273 | + 17 290 |
+ 18 308 Not elected |
| Danny Masterton | |
Solidarity | 243 | + 5 248 |
- 248 0 Eliminated |
| Ian Fraser | |
Liberal Democrat | 93 | - 93 0 Eliminated |
|
| Non-transferable votes | 0 | + 21 21 |
+ 71 92 |
||
| Seats | Candidates | Counts | Electorate | Valid votes | % poll | Quota | Rejected votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 8 | 7 | 5,827 | % | 1,166 | 148 |
| Candidate | Logo | Party | 1 st Pref | Share | Quota | Count | Status | Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Eric Jackson | |
Labour | 1,195 | 20.51 % | 1.02 | 1 | Made Quota | 1 |
| Jim Roberts | |
Scottish National Party | 1,032 | 17.71 % | 0.89 | 4 | Made Quota | 2 |
| Neil McGhee | |
Labour | 931 | 15.98 % | 0.80 | 7 | Made Quota | 4 |
| Jimmy Kelly | |
Labour | 883 | 15.15 % | 0.76 | 7 | Made Quota | 3 |
| David Shankland | |
Scottish National Party | 667 | 11.45 % | 0.57 | 7 | Eliminated | |
| Neil Martin | |
Conservative & Unionist | 534 | 9.16 % | 0.45 | 6 | Eliminated | |
| Gordon Ralton |  |
Independent | 340 | 5.83 % | 0.29 | 4 | Eliminated | |
| Brian Broadley |  |
Scottish Green Party | 245 | 4.20 % | 0.21 | 3 | Eliminated |
| Adjustments | Surplus of Jackson | Exclusion of Broadley | Exclusion of Ralton | Surplus of Roberts | Exclusion of Martin | Exclusion of Shankland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Count 1 | Count 2 | Count 3 | Count 4 | Count 5 | Count 6 | Count 7 |
| Cllr Eric Jackson | |
Labour | 1,195 Elected |
- 29.00 1166.00 |
|||||
| Jim Roberts | |
Scottish National Party | 1,032 | + 1.09 1,033.09 |
+ 50.02 1,083.12 |
+ 86.07 1,169.19 Elected |
|||
| Jimmy Kelly | |
Labour | 883 | + 12.76 895.76 |
+ 28.41 924.17 |
+ 52.02 976.20 |
+ 0.08 976.28 |
+ 68.16 1,044.44 |
+ 101.89 1,146.33 Elected |
| Neil McGhee | |
Labour | 931 | + 6.60 937.60 |
+ 21.24 958.84 |
+ 32.12 990.96 |
+ 0.11 991.07 |
+ 35.25 1,026.33 |
+ 104.58 1,130.91 Elected |
| David Shankland | |
Scottish National Party | 667 | + 1.65 668.65 |
+ 14.12 682.77 |
+ 30.02 712.80 |
+ 2.32 715.11 |
+ 90.26 805.37 |
- 805.37 0 Eliminated |
| Neil Martin | |
Conservative & Unionist | 534 | + 1.04 535.04 |
+ 28.07 563.12 |
+ 47.00 610.12 |
+ 0.12 610.24 |
- 610.24 0 Eliminated |
|
| Gordon Ralton | |
Independent | 340 | + 0.29 340.29 |
+ 39.05 379.34 |
- 379.34 0 Eliminated |
|||
| Brian Broadley | |
Scottish Green Party | 245 | + 1.21 246.21 |
- 246.21 0 Eliminated |
||||
| Non-transferable votes | 0 | + 4.35 4.35 |
+ 65.29 69.64 |
+ 132.10 201.74 |
+ 0.55 202.29 |
+ 416.57 618.86 |
+ 598.91 1,217.77 |
||
Barmy proposals from the Boundary Commission could sound the death knell for Ayrshire.
Under a review of the Scottish Parliament constituencies Cumnock and Auchinleck would be taken out of Ayrshire altogether. Instead they would be lumped together - in a giant constituency to be called Cumnock and Clydesdale - with large parts of South Lanarkshire, including Stonehouse, Strathaven and Biggar.
There is strong opposition to the review, with concerns that the identity of Ayrshire will be ripped apart.
The proposals, which have been labelled 'ridiculous', also want to put Mauchline in a new Kilmarnock constituency, while the Doon Valley area will be in with South Ayr.
It could mean one particular East Ayrshire Council ward, Ballochmyle, would have THREE different constituencies.
Relevant parties now have just under a month to let their views be known, with the consultation coming to and end in mid-March.
COUNCIL leader Douglas Reid's duties in the last financial year netted him £30,000.
A list of East Ayrshire Council's members' allowances and expenses published this week reveal that Councillor Reid's total for £30,072.19 - more than double the amount he received the previous year, when in opposition on the then Labour-controlled council.
Second in the allowances league was Labour opposition leader Eric Jackson who took home £24,396.27 and third was Provost Stephanie Young with £23,904.96.
Another 11 councillors passed the £20,000 per annum mark.
While prominent members of East Ayrshire's SNP administration were among the top earners, the nationalists also figured at the other end of the pay scale.
Councillor and MSP Willie Coffey collected £14,702.40, as did his sister and fellow councillor Helen Coffey.
The total figures are made up from councillors' allowances and expenses.
This is the first year in which councillors have been paid under a new system.
Local authority members now essentially receive a wage - which varies depending on their responsibilities - plus a certain amount of permitted expenses.
The expenses claimed by East Ayrshire's members in 2007/08 varied widely.
A number - the SNP's Alan Brown, Jim Buchanan, John Campbell, Helen Coffey, Willie Coffey and John Mackay and Labour's Maureen McKay - claimed nothing.
At the other end of the scale, Councillor Jimmy Kelly got £7081.86. Second highest was Jim Roberts with £3631.51.
Total allowances and expenses cost council tax-payers £634,824.94 in the last year.
Details are available in council offices and on the website at www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Every year the Council publishes information that shows Councillors' earnings in the financial year.
The Council also published the other expenses paid including travel expenses and telephone allowances.
At the top of the pay list, other than Council Leader Douglas Reid, is Mauchline Councillor Eric Jackson who received over £24,000.
Also high on the scale was Muirkirk Councillor Jimmy Kelly.
Details of the payments to each Councillor are available in the Council Local Offices and Libraries.
Members of the public can request their own copy of the information by contacting Julie Haig on 01563 576258, or by viewing the information online at www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/councillors%20expenses.asp.
Mauchline Councillor Eric Jackson has this week announced his shock resignation from the Council.
The popular long-serving member, who has been involved with East Ayrshire Council since 1995, revealed that he had formally submitted his resignation to Chief Executive Fiona Lees.
Eric said: "Circumstances change and I have a number of family and business commitments that need attention.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the 13 years I have spent as a local politician, but you know when the time is right to make changes. I have advised the Chief Executive, Fiona Lees, that the date for my leaving will be October 10. This will allow me to attend to a number of important matters that I'm currently working on for local people and some outstanding constituency business in the local ward. It will also give me a chance to say farewell and thanks to the very many people with whom I have worked and had the privilege of serving.
"This will of course mean a by-election and I look forward to working with the Labour Party during the campaign."
Eric most recently had been acting as the Labour Group Leader and he says he is sad to be leaving his role.
He continued: "I have been very touched by the messages of goodwill and understanding from all parties that I have already received."
MORE ON THIS WILL APPEAR IN NEXT WEEK'S CHRONICLE
COUNCIL opposition leader Eric Jackson has quit.
The Labour councillor for Ballochmyle has cited personal reasons for his decision to stand down from October 10.
Jackson, 60, has been a councillor since 1995 when the new unitary authorities were created.
The sudden resignation will result in a by-election in the constituency which takes in Mauchline, Auchinleck and Muirkirk.
Jackson, who lives in Mauchline, became leader when SNP dramatically took control of East Ayrshire Council in May 2007.
He was seen as a moderate with a good business head, having run his own blast engineering company for a number of years. His aim was to rebuild the party locally using consensus politics as a means of holding on to some element of power for the council's remaining Labour members.
Jackson, one of the party's most articulate organisers, did concede after last year's defeat that Labour had become complacent. As leader, he faced an uphill task of bringing some old traditionalists into line against a decline in support nationally.
Jackson said on Wednesday: "Circumstances change and I have a number of family and business commitments that need attention.
"I have been very touched by the messages of goodwill and understanding received from all parties."
A leading local businessman has been named as the Labour candidate for the impending Council by-election.
David Shaw, the Chair of Sorn Community Council and driving force behind Sorn Milk, was nominated by fellow Labour Party members earlier this week, and is seen as the popular choice to potentially succeed Eric Jackson, who left his post last week.
Mr Shaw says he is campaigning on a ticket of revitalising the area, and believes he has the contacts and the determination to succeed.
MORE ON THIS STORY IN THIS WEEK'S CUMNOCK CHRONICLE.
A LEADERSHIP election among local Labour councillors ended in a draw - because of the geographical split in East Ayrshire.
One half voted for the man from Kilmarnock while the other half voted for the man from Cumnock.
The historical divide has given rise to two distinct allegiances since both areas joined together under one authority in 1995.
In-party decisions within the previous ruling Labour group would often identify two clear territories among elected members.
The latest election has followed the resignation of former Labour leader Eric Jackson, councillor for Mauchline.
He took over as leader from Drew McIntyre in May 2007 when the SNP seized power in East Ayrshire.
Both Labour and SNP had returned 14 candidates but the support of the three Conservatives switched control away from the previous administration.
With Eric Jackson out of the equation, and Maureen McKay of Dunlop abstaining, that left 12 councillors to cast their votes.
Six opted for current depute leader John Knapp of Kilmarnock and six opted for former planning chairman Eric Ross of Cumnock.
Now the candidates are awaiting advice from the Labour HQ on what happens next.
John Knapp said: "That's what can happen when you've got such an array of talent in the party.
"We've still to get confirmation on the exact procedure if there is a tied vote.
"We need to find out if there is another way of reaching an outcome.
"I've never gone out of my way to put myself forward for the position of group leader, but it was suggested that my hat should be in the ring."
A Labour insider said the party was still smarting from last year's election defeat and bemoaned a lack of new blood.
"They're all pensioners or nearly pensioners," he said. "There's not too much enthusiasm to run the show."
A MILLIONAIRE former Tory who left his wife for a teenage badminton champ has defected to Labour.
Milk magnate David Shaw is Labour's candidate for East Ayrshire Council's Ballochmyle ward by-election.
Shaw, 58, ex-chairman of South Ayrshire Conservatives, lives with Lynn McMillan, who was 19 when he left wife Jean for her two years ago.
He still runs his Sorn Milk business with Jean, 60.
He said: "I'm really excited about running for councillor. I have the contacts and skills to do the best possible job for the people of this area."
Solidarity, Scotland's Socialist Movement have announced their candidate for the forthcoming by-election for the Ballochmyle ward of East Ayrshire Council. Danny Masterton from Muirkirk was selected by local activists to carry the Solidarity banner in the ballot.
Danny, 54, a former professional footballer, is a well-known local trade unionist who has worked as a miner, fitter and then 10 years in open casts. He is a former BB leader in Muirkirk and is now a full-time carer. He said:
"I am proud to be chosen as Solidarity's candidate for this by-election. If elected, people know that I will not let them down. I know the problems facing local families as fuel bills and living costs go up, and wages come down. This area needs jobs, but not by bribing employers with grants, who disappear when the free rent runs out, real sustainable, local jobs rooted in the community."
Solidarity Convenor Tommy Sheridan was speaking at a public meeting in Glenrothes when he heard the news from the Coalfields Solidarity branch meeting in Cumnock, he said:
"This is great news. Danny Masterton is a real working class fighter who will stand up for his community. Solidarity is delighted that he has accepted the nomination and I am looking forward to joining Danny, campaigning in East Ayrshire."
THE new depute leader of the Labour group on East Ayrshire Council is Barney Menzies, who represents ward 8, Cumnock and New Cumnock.
Councillor Menzies' appointment comes hard on the heels of the election of Councillor John Knapp, ward 5, Kilmarnock South, to the position of group leader.
The election followed the resignation of Councillor Eric Jackson, who represented Mauchline.
STEWARTON woman Janette McAlpine will stand as the Conservative candidate in the forthcoming by-election in the Ballochmyle ward.
The ward was vacated by former Labour Group leader Eric Jackson in September.
Janette, 39, represented Kilmarnock and Loudoun in the 2007 Scottish Parliament Elections where she obtained over 12 per cent of the vote. She works at Glasgow Caledonian University.
She said: "In this by-election, I look forward to fighting local issues for local people."
An Election is to be held for the return of one Councillor for Ward 7 - Ballochmyle.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Election Office, East Ayrshire Council, London Road, Kilmarnock KA3 7BU. This office is open for the issue and delivery of nomination papers on weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Completed nomination papers MUST be delivered to the Election Office at the above address by 4pm on Tuesday 18 November 2008.
Polling will take place between the hours of 7am and 10pm on Thursday 11 December 2008 unless the election is uncontested.
Any elector may apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election.
Postal or Proxy Voting
Applications to vote by post MUST reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL by 5pm on Tuesday 25 November 2008.
Applications to vote by proxy for a specific election MUST reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL by 5pm on Wednesday 3 December 2008.
Where a person has applied to vote by proxy at a specific election on the grounds of disability and the applicant becomes incapacitated after 5pm on Wednesday 3 December 2008 the application, or an application for the appointment of a proxy made by virtue of that application, MUST reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on the date of the poll.
Applications to cancel or alter postal and proxy votes, or to change from postal to proxy voting MUST reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL at the above address by 5pm on Tuesday 25 November 2008.
For advice on postal or proxy voting, contact 01292 612221.
Election Office
East Ayrshire Council
London Road
Kilmarnock
KA3 7BU
Tel: (01563) 576135/576137
Fax: (01563) 576245
e-mail: electionoffice@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Fiona Lees
Returning Office
The remaining political big hitters in East Ayrshire have named their political candidates for the forthcoming Ballochmyle by-election.
And a familiar name is flying the flag for the SNP as they aim to grab another seat in the area.
Roseanne Savage, who has been a prominent figure in the battle to regenerate Woodroad Park in Cumnock, has been elected by the party to stand for the seat. And she is putting tackling anti-social behaviour and promoting more opportunities for young people on top of her political agenda.
She said: "I'm delighted to have been given this opportunity to stand for the SNP at this election. I believe the SNP administration has achieved a lot in the last 18 months and have brought a new hope and vision to local communities. I believe if elected I can contribute to these efforts."
The remaining political big-hitters - the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats - have also announced the people they hope can give them a boost in the by-election.
The Liberal Democrats - who have yet to win a seat in East Ayrshire - have chosen 56 year old Ian Fraser, a former Town Councillor and head of finance at Penzance Town Council.
While the Tories have opted for Janette McAlpine, 39, who represented Kilmarnock and Loudoun in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections.
There is just one week to go until nominations for candidates close, with the cut off dates at present is as follows: -
Ian Fraser (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
Danny Masterton (Solidarity)
Janette McAlpine (Conservative)
Roseanne Savage (SNP)
David Shaw (Labour)
FOR MORE SEE THE CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 12 EDITION
THE Liberal Democrats and the SNP have chosen their candidates to fight former Labour group leader Eric Jackson's Ballochmyle seat.
Ian Fraser, 56, from Newmilns, is the Lib Dems' man, while mother-of-three Roseanne Savage will carry the Nats' hopes.
The Irvine Valley man launched his campaign with an attack on both Labour and the SNP this week.
A town councillor and head of finance at Penzance Town Council before moving back to Ayrshire three years ago, Ian has a wide experience of working with different people and of organising and promoting projects in the private and public sector, working for more than 12 years as a teacher after graduating from Craigie College, Ayr. For the past six years he has been successful in running several computer support and sales businesses.
Said Ian on Tuesday: "East Ayrshire has been allowed to drift along with very little in the way of results for the efforts being put in. We have the worst kept roads in Scotland. There are road humps everywhere, yet when the paint wears off they are left as a hazard on the road. Grandiose ideas are started with press announcements, yet quietly disappear from view."
He says by-election voters will be faced with a choice of either the 'smug complacency of the SNP' or 'the long-standing, cosy and equally smug Labour Party'.
And he added that Labour seem to believe it's a natural right to get their man elected in an ex-mining area.
"They have even put forward a former senior Tory and millionaire as their candidate, such is their departure from a history of representing the ordinary working man.
"I intend to get elected firstly by representing local people and solutions, and secondly by promoting the general ideals of the Scottish Liberal Democrats."
The Nats' Roseanne Savage, 39, threw her hat into the ring in a quieter vein.
A well-known community activist in her local area, Roseanne has been prominent in the campaign for the regeneration in the Woodroad Park in Cumnock. She is chairperson of her Neighbourhood Watch group and is particularly keen to tackle issues of antisocial behaviour and to promote more opportunities to young people to fulfil their potential.
Said Councillor Jim Roberts, a current SNP Ballochmyle councillor: "I am absolutely delighted that the SNP has been able to select such a talented and committed individual to fight this seat. I am sure that if elected, Roseanne will be an outstanding councillor for the area."
Roseanne said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to stand for the SNP at this election. I believe that the SNP administration has achieved a lot in the last 18 months. I believe if elected I can contribute to these efforts."
Former Tory David Shaw, 59, from Sorn, has already been confirmed as the Labour candidate, with Stewarton woman Janette McAlpine, 39, fighting the seat for the Conservatives.
Nominations close on Tuesday at 4pm.
An election is to be held for the return of one Councillor for Ward 7 - Ballochmyle. The election will be held on THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2008 between the hours of 7am and 10pm.
Candidates nominated to stand are as follows:
Ian Fraser, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Danny Masterton, Solidarity - Tommy Sheridan
Janette McAlpine, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Roseanne Savage - Scottish National Party (SNP)
David Shaw - Scottish Labour Party
The polling places in use are:
Mauchline Games Hall, 31 Kilmarnock Road, Mauchline
Sorn Old Folk's Cabin, Main Street, Sorn
Catrine Nursery School, Newton Street, Catrine
Muirkirk Primary School, Burns Avenue, Muirkirk
Logan Primary School, Logangate Terrace, Logan
Auchinleck Community Centre, Well Road, Auchinleck
General information on elections
The last date for applications to be included on the Register of Electors to be used at this election is 25 NOVEMBER 2008. If you are not on the Electoral Register and you believe you are entitled to be, you should contact the Electoral Registration Officer at 9 Wellington Square Ayr or Tel (019292) 612221 or you can download an application form at the following page.
The last date to apply for a new Postal Vote for this election is 25 NOVEMBER 2008. If you think you will be on holiday or away from home for any reason at the time of an election, you may be entitled to an absence vote. Proxy votes are also available for people who are physically unable to visit their polling station. The last date to apply for a Proxy Vote is 3 DECEMBER 2008. Please contact the Electoral Registration Officer - (01292) 612221.
Commenting on the result of the Ballochmyle by-election in East Ayrshire where the SNP achieved a 4.2% swing from Labour the SNP's Business Convener Angus Robertson MP said:
"This is a very encouraging and solid performance for the SNP. May 2007 was a historic high point for the SNP with our best ever national result yet.
"To build on that in a council run by the SNP shows there is increasing confidence in the party and our council administration. It is a highly satisfactory result for the administration in East Ayrshire.
"It must be very discouraging for Labour that their support has fallen back from that election in what was their first national defeat in 50 years. This was the seat of the previous Labour council leader and to have fallen back must be a disappointment for them.
"That Labour cannot lift themselves up from that low point despite their claims of 'leading the world' casts a serious question over the so-called 'Brown bounce'."
ENDS
Notes:
The result of 1st preference votes were:
Party: 1st Pref - % (% Change)
Labour: 1,598 - 47.90% (-3.74%)
SNP: 1,129 - 33.84% (+4.68%)
Tory: 273 - 8.18% (-0.98%)
Solidarity: 243 - 7.28% (N/A)
LibDem: 93 - 2.79% (N/A)
A 4.21% swing from Labour to the SNP.
In East Ayrshire, Labour's David Shaw, a former Conservative who bcame wealthy in the dairly business aid "I will fight hard for local people because I know residents want someone to stand up for fairness and for local services.
In North Ayrshire, however, the SNP gained the Kilbirnie & Beith ward with a 15 % swing from Labour in a by-election with the election of Anthea Dickson as the new councillor.
The SNP vote rose from 23 % in May 2007 to 49 %, while Labour fell back to 34 %. SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, who represents the Cunninghame North constituency said: "This is an outstanding result for the SNP in what was seen as one of Labour's strongholds and will be a devastating defeat to Labour in North Ayrshire."
A headline on the Politics page read "Labour gains in Glasgow and Ayrshire" (The Herald, December 13). There were two by-elections in Ayrshire last Thursday but neither of them was a Labour gain. Although Labour retained the Ballochmyle seat in East Ayrshire, the result, not quoted in the article, showed a swing of 4% from Labour to the SNP compared with 2007. As reported in the article, the SNP gained the Kilbirnie & Beith seat in North Ayrshire from Labour with a 15% swing compared with 2007. Neither of these two can be classed as a Labour gain in Ayrshire.
Colin Pennycook, Glasgow.
We wuz robbed. That's how I felt after reading your coverage of the by-election results (December 13) and the defection of Colin Deans, an SNP councillor, to the Labour Party in Glasgow.
The Labour victory in East Ayrshire was accompanied by a 4.21% swing to the SNP and in the other by-election (Kilbirnie & Beith) there was an SNP victory in what had been a North Ayrshire Labour stronghold with a swing of 15% to the SNP.
Councillor Deans defected to Labour because of personal clashes with SNP councillors.
Stewart Hendry, West Kilbride.
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