The Constituency
"A Traditional conservative seaside town" -
a reasonably accurate description of Ayr.
The constituency covers most of Ayr as well as Prestwick and Troon, but it is important to first understand a little more about the town. It is not one of community, such a spirit or identity does not exist. No millennium celebrations in the town, no focal point for the town as a whole like George Square in Glasgow or even the Well Meadow in Blairgowrie, only a narrow High Street which is deserted after 5.30pm. The sea-side - often regarded as one of it?s selling points - shows the ?conservative? nature of the town, it is - despite what local councillors and MPs say - in a time-warp of the 1950?s with the best attraction at the beach a 9 hole crazy golf course.
The population is fairly affluent. This is notable in Prestwick and more-so in Troon (the retirement capitals of West Scotland) and is demonstrated by the numerous Golf courses in the areas, most notably Royal Troon. The county town of Ayr is more mixed, as would be expected, although the most affluent area, Alloway, is not in the constituency since boundary changes in 1997 (it now resides in Carrick Cummnock and Doon Vallly - which is a Labour stronghold. Indeed, it has been remarked that Mickey Mouse could win that seat with a Labour badge on! This was put successfully to the test by Labour in the 1999 Scottish Parliament election - although a better cartoon analogy of George Foukes MP and Cathy Jamison MSP would be Pinoccio and Gesepo).
No one industry dominates in the constituency, no notable inward investment, high-tech employment or call-centres, most go to the central belt. Manufacturing is relatively low as well. Tourism, shops and business dominate as well as farming still important. Big firms in the area are Barr and British Airospace.
The town is of reasonable size (Ayr has a population of about 60,000). It is therefore large enough to have all the facilities one would find in a city, yet remains a nicer more manageable size. Indeed, should anyone need to access the city then it is only 50mins away by train - 45 by car. The constituency can boast a Football team, successful Ice Hockey team (Scottish Eagles), excellent shopping centre, 5 theatres, a cinema, top quality beach (Troon), miserably failing beach (Ayr), fishing port, rural countryside, high elderly population and hence associated facilities, limited ) nightlife (though in existence), world renowned golf courses, an growing airport, ferry service to Belfast, soon to be Motorway to Glasgow, a major flower show, national cartoon festival, one of the main Scottish racecourses, oh, and an inline skating rink. And of course the tourism aspect, with many visitors flocking to see the link with Burns, his birth place and the Tam O?Shanter experience as well as growing number of day-trippers from Ulster thanks to low cost trips on boat or by air.
Politically the constituency is under-rated. Former secretary of State Georgre Younger held the seat until he retired in 1992. In 1987 he had a majority of about 200. By 1992 Phil Gallie held the seat for the Conservatives by only 87 votes. After boundary changes, the seat became notional Labour and hence Sandra Osborne became the first Labour MP for Ayr in 1997 with a majority of over 5000. However in 1999 Ian Welsh took the seat for Labour in 1999 for the Scottish Parliament, this item with a majority of only 25, which takes us to where we are know. Throughout this what must be remembered is that it is not just a fight between Labour and Conservative. The popularity of Phil Gallie can not be underestimated. He was regarded as a good politician and MP who focused on local issues, even before party line at times. This proved to give close results (in 1997 the swing against him was lower compared to the national picture). With him gone, the fight is more on party lines.
Also in political terms it may be interesting to look at the council. It has a strange habit of going Labour/conservative/labour, etc. Mid 1980?s the post of provost was held by Gibson MacDonald (cons), only to be taken by Labour in the late 1980?s. The following election it reverted back to Conservative and MacDonald for the last time as Kyle and Carrick. In the 1996 elections for the new South Ayrshire Labour won all but 5 of the seats (which went conservative). By 1999 elections Labour still held, but the conservatives gained a much increased number and only fell short of gaining a majority again.