A real chance for change

As we are only one day away from what may well be the most important General Election in a generation, I want to take a moment to share with my voters in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock how deeply worried I am about the state of our politics.

I am worried because the Prime Minister of our nation turns out to be the only party leader who dodges public scrutiny and he gets away with it.

I am worried because a Tory- Brexit is seen as an credible option regardless of the threat it presents to our economy and to our NHS.

I am worried because we are treating this election as a binary choice. Get Brexit done or don’t. Choose Brexit or IndyRef2. I am worried because the political discourse is dominated by constitutional questions while important policy questions get ignored.

The BBC last week listed nine big things that are forgotten in this election, among them the UK’s role in the world, children services, expanding higher education, and protecting savers.

We are absorbed by Brexit while the country suffers. I am worried because we overlook important things.

But I am also hopeful because it doesn’t have to be this way. Regardless of what campaign flyers tell the electorate - there is a real choice, there is a real chance for change. I trust the voters to do the right thing and see beyond the lies.

I urge your readers not to miss this opportunity to vote for change and to vote for healing the divisions in our country and for shifting the debate back to the things that really matter. Duncan Townson, Scottish Labour Prospective Candidate for Ayr, Carrick & Cumnock Trust is key election issue

One of the key words in the run up to the General Election has been‘ trust’.

The Tory party has a track record of untrustworthy behaviour with ‘ stoaters’ including pleading with voters that in order to stay in the EU they must vote No in the 2014 Independence Referendum, insisting there is no money to support the WASPI women and suggesting that Universal Credit is a way to get more people into work ( aye, Daniel Blake).

The Tory candidate for the General Election, Martin Dowey, appears to be following the same pattern which loses the trust of the people.

Boris Johnson is quite clear – this is a Brexit election, every Tory candidate is a supporter of Brexit.

Is Mr Dowey telling the truth? Oops, in every leaflet Mr Dowey has sent through the post he has failed to mention the word Brexit once. Well done to Bob Shields for exposing this charade.

The clear majority of constituents know Brexit is bad for Scotland and 62% of voters Nationally want to remain in the EU. How can anyone vote for a candidate who seems to avoid telling the truth?

Gordon Ferrie, Corran Cottage, Straiton Enemies of socialism Frank Dobson who has died was credited with saying

“The two greatest enemies

of socialism are Margaret Thatcher and Camden Housing Association.”

Today the same might be said of Boris Johnson and the South Ayrshire SNP/ Labour coalition.

John Dunlop Wellington Lane, Ayr Councillor should re sign Following Bob Shields item in last week’s Ayrshire Post ( 13/ 11/ 19 ) regarding Councillor Siobhan Brown being unwilling or unable to speak out on behalf of the constituents who elected her as a Councillor, then if she has any integrity left she must do the right thing and resign her position immediately !

This would enable independent minded individuals to stand in a local by- election in this ward who would truly represent the constituents wishes and not be under the control of others. John Higgins Windward Park, Alloway Christmas countdown

Ayr & District Floral Art Clubs next meeting is on Friday December 13 ( please note change of day) in Kyle Academy Theatre.

The meeting begins with our AGM at 7pm and will be followed at 7.30pm when our demonstrator will be Kathleen Williams from Oldham,

Her title is Countdown to Christmas. Visitors welcome £ 5 per person.

I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020.

Jean Wragg ( Secretary)