Hunter to stand as an independent at May’s election
Ex-council leader goes it alone at ballot box
A former top Tory councillor has confirmed he is to run as an Independent in May’s local elections.
Hugh Hunter, who served as leader of South Ayrshire Council between 2007-10, will bid to go it alone at the ballot box.
It follows his surprise axe as a candidate for the official opposition following a 22-year stint on the blue benches.
Cllr Hunter has been representing his Prestwick ward as an independent since resigning from the Tories at the turn of the year. And he insists he’s “hungrier than ever” to continue his job outwith the restraints of party politics.
The 76-year-old said: “The Conservatives’ decision not to select me came as a complete surprise and my initial reaction was one of shock.
“You go through many emotions and I suppose I thought...I’ll show them.
“But there’s a far bigger picture and that’s serving the people of Prestwick, which I’d like to think I’ve done a reasonable job of for more than 20 years now.
“If voters decide they no longer want me and they desire change, then I’m fine with that.
“But the feedback I’m getting from people has been positive and they are keen to see me standing as an independent voice for the town.”
Cllr Hunter was dropped from Team Tory back in November following an internal selection process for the upcoming local election battle.
He accused the party of an “ageist police” and hit out at the Covid breaches overseen by Boris Johnson inside No. 10 Downing Street.
Cllr Hunter added: “Boris Johnson has been a dead man walking for weeks now, in my opinion. Douglas Ross has been quite right to come out and call for his resignation on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives.
“But for me, standing as an independent gives me that freedom to concentrate on what matters most to me and that is the people of Prestwick and the many community projects in which I’m involved.
“I’m hungrier than ever to be involved and hopefully I’m a long way from being finished.”