‘RedToriesandBlueTories’

Thursday May 19 must surely, mark the end of Labour as a political force in South Ayrshire, when the five Labour councillors who were elected on May 5, to represent their supporters, cravenly sat on their collective hands to abstain, on a vote to elect the new council administration, knowing full well, this would usher in a Conservative-led council, probably for the next five years.

What a dereliction of duty and socialism. We now have a clear example of the meaning of Red Tories and Blue Tories.

Normally abstaining is considered to be reasonable or acceptable when an individual Councillor believes an important Ward Issue is at stake, but for the Labour Group on masse to allow the party of Boris Johnson, who has been at the centre of law breaking in No 10 Downing Street, Brexit, and the Cost-of-Living Crisis, to take control of South Ayrshire Council is surely beyond the pale. I wonder what Keir Hardie would think!

It was also disappointing to note, for whatever reason, that the “Independent” Councillors from Maybole and Girvan also abstained, knowing it would usher in a Tory Administration, time will tell, what their motive was and whether this has been a wise move. Bob Shields “The man of the people” has also thrown in his hat in with the Conservatives in the vain hope it will further his declared aims of solving the Station Hotel problem, halting the development of a new Town Centre Swimming and Leisure Centre in Ayr and to save the Multi Story Riverside Flats. I await with interest to see how that all turns out. Finally, it is disappointing to note that there was only a 34% turnout to vote in these vital local elections, in South Ayrshire. Elections which will decide the future of really important local services, perhaps this is a walk-up call to all politicians and political parties.

Democracy is a fragile thing, which thousands are sadly dying for in Ukraine, at this very moment and it should never be taken for granted.

Alec Oattes, Ayr