Great to see more candidates standing as independents

Glad to read last week that my plea for more independent councillors is starting to bear fruit.

Well done to Chic Brodie for putting his name forward in the Ayr East ward.

Chic is a political veteran, has superb local government contacts and has Ayr’s best interests at heart.

I know he’ll work tirelessly for his constituents.

I tell you, if I lived in Ayr East – I’d be voting for him. Oh . . . wait a minute .. . I do live in Ayr East! I WILL be voting for him!

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have named their candidates, the SNP are keeping their list a secret – situation normal . . . and Labour are pushing the panic button. An e-mail from the local party chair invites all members to “ride the wave of positive feelings for Scottish Labour”.

However, the surf isn’t exactly up in South Ayrshire! Prestwick, Ayr West and Maybole were set aside for “women only” candidates.

How’s that for gender neutrality and equality!

But with no-one from the fairer sex being interested so far – people who commonly wear trousers will also now be considered as council candidates!

Stand by for another revision of Labour’s recruitment criteria next week . . . hello . . . anyone with a pulse out there . . ?