A breath of Fresh Ayr?

That's what the Conservatives claim this result is, and to a great extent it is, because no matter what number crunching you do, it is impossible to overlook that fact that there is a constituency MSP for the Conservatives in Scotland. Making Ayr the last bastion of Conservatism in Scotland (which must be a title the opponents of the Conservatives do not relish.

Winners and Loosers

Many comentators are quick to point out that the Tories only increased their vote by 1%, but the fact they were able to maintain it is impressive. Largely because they were fighting on their record in parliament, and not with the popular Phil Gallie. Hence it is clear that those who voted were clearly supportive of the Party itself and not just the personality. In some respects this is a stage to the comback of the Conservatives, but only a small one on a long road.

The SNP have the most to be happy with. They have incresed their share to almost 30%, a new record for them here. Although the 9% swing is less than in Hamilton, it is more impressive as there are less Labour voters to capatalise on. For the SNP to do well in this Conservative strong seat is quite an achivement, and shows that there is the potential for them to gain seats from Labour in elections in the future if Labour continue to loose contact with core supporters.

To me, one of the most amazing results was that of the SSP who gained 1345 votes, coming in forth over the Lib Dems. They too can count this as a successs. For a party only set up recently in the town, and fighting socialist policies in a conservative area it is a good result. It also starts to show that the party may be more that just Sheridan, and that it may be able to catter for disalusined Labour voters.

When the returnign officer read out "Rita Miller, 7054 votes", a small but audible laugh went round the hall. It sums it up really, and many feel it is a result they deserve. Not only for the failing on issues (particually the pensioners who came out in force to vote Conservative) buit also for running a very poor campaign in which they gave up some weeks ago. Indeed had they put heart and soul into it from December they could have made it a more close result - they could have resolved the Carrick st Halls issue and they could have set the agenda away from Section 28 - but they didn't. It's clear they DO need to look long and hard before the next campaign.
As for the Lib Dems, it was John Scot that asked "Why are you here?", refering that they were just there to follow Labour. And in a by-election campaing where people like to protest, they were not a very good protest vote. The canidate also said that yes he would be happy with 4th place. After the result, no comment.

Yet the Conservatives are happy, the best is summed up on the web page where it simply says something never seen before on a Tory web page - "We Won!"