It is not mission impossible for a Tory victory at council election

I can’t remember the last time I congratulated the Conservative Party on this page.

Heck – it might even be a first!

But well done to the Tories – the local ones anyway – for being first to reveal their candidates for the 2022 local council elections in May.

Leader Martin Dowey says his team “are better prepared than ever”for the ballot box battle ahead.

And they’ll need to be. Despite their majority in 2017, the Tories know they could be up against the joint forces of the Nats, Labour and any independents in the fight for overall control of South Ayrshire Council.

They’ll need at least 14 councillors to guarantee a change of administration.

It’s a big ask . . . but it’s not Mission Impossible.

Some of the candidates are sitting councillors and party faithfuls – but Martin has introduced some new faces.

Among them is dapper Ayr solicitor – and Ayr United goal-keeping coach - Derek Stillie.

Irvine born Derek wore the blue rosette as a Tory candidate for Central Ayrshire at the last general election.

He polled over 16,000 votes and gave the Nats a run for their money.

In May, he’ll have to impress that citizens of Prestwick that he still is . . . er . . . a safe pair of hands!

I’ve no idea if Martin Dowey will arm his squad with a local election manifesto. But a large plank in his build-up would appear to be reversing some of SAC’s more recent – and unpopular – decisions.

The Tories have pledged to save the ‘High Flats’and bin the town centre leisure centre proposal.

And that’s got to be worth a goal of a start! It’s now a waiting game to see who – and what – the other parties have to offer.

Rumours that some high profile Nats will be standing down as councillors are swirling.

It will be interesting to see their pick to replace Siobhian Brown in Ayr West. I expect a few new independents on the electoral scene.The Lib Dems? Are they now an endangered species in South Ayrshire? And Labour will do what Labour do best – hang on to their traditional voting support, then hang on to the coat-tails of whatever party offers them the best deal when the counting is over.

It’s still January, but the electoral temperature is starting to rise already!