In South Ayrshire, the SNP, Labour and Independent administration passed a budget that will increase Council Tax by 4.79%, which is higher than the previous 3% cap. On top of the council tax increase; special uplift charges were increased, allotment charges were increased, 15 teachers posts delet

Last week, Prime Minister Theresa May visited the workers of the Alex Begg textile factory in Ayr. This was part of a UK wide tour to mark one year until we leave the European Union.

South Ayrshire Conservatives continued their bottle stall tour at the Prestwick Prom on Saturday 13th August.

With no Labour or SNP representation at the Prom, the Conservatives took centre stage and raised nearly £250.00 on the day. 

South Ayrshire Conservatives are holding open selections for the local government elections in 2017.

Local Conservatives are mid-way through the annual tour of gala days across South Ayrshire. Thus far, stalls have been held at the Holy Fair in Ayr, Kirkmichael Gala Day, Maybole Gala Day and most recently the Ballantrae Gala Day. Record takings have been received at all stalls and there are still more to go! Over the coming months, local Conservatives will hold stalls at gala days in Prestwick and Troon and then a final stall at the annual Scottish Airshow event in September.

Local Conservatives celebrated following major gains across Scotland as a result of the 2016 Scottish Parliamentary Elections. Longstanding Ayr MSP John Scott was re-elected to serve the people of Ayr, Troon and Prestwick for a fourth term after a tough battle with the SNP. John saw his vote rise from 12,997 in 2011 to 16,183 giving him a majority of 750 votes. Meanwhile in neighbouring Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, candidate Lee Lyons almost doubled the Conservative vote from 2011, finishing with a very respectable 7,666 votes in a constituency that used to be a major mining hub. His vote share increased by nearly 10%, a figure that was near replicated across many of Scotland's 75 constituencies. (Photo credited to Euan McColl, Ayrshire Post Online, 06/05/2016.)

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson addressed an audience of 140 members, supporters and activists at the Mercure Hotel in Ayr on Saturday 2nd April to speak about why only the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party can be the most effective opposition to the SNP. Ruth also backed local candidates John Scott who is seeking re-election to serve the people of Ayr, Troon and Prestwick in the Scottish Parliament and also Lee Lyons who is running in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Constituency. In her speech to members, Ruth highlighted the comments made by Labour leader Kezia Dugdale where she indicated that she "could vote for independence" in the future. Ruth stated that this shows Labour can't be trusted with the Union and as such will continue to be paltry opposition to the SNP.

South Ayrshire Conservatives held our Annual General Meeting at the Abbotsford Hotel in Ayr to update members over the activities of the year and to elect the next committee to continue the work that we do locally. Following the sad loss of our Honorary President, Lady Diana Younger, the meeting decided to nominate and adopt local resident and party stalwart Peter Gardner to the role, alongside our other serving Honorary President Rosemary Findlay MBE. Following the elections, Gavin Scott was formally re-elected as Chairman by the meeting, with Cllr Bill Grant and John Scott MSP continuing on as Deputy Chairmen; Finance and Political respectively. Christian Lamont was also readopted as Treasurer. Many of our ordinary members were re-elected and we also welcomed Louise Crosbie onto the committee.Both John Scott MSP and Cllr Bill Grant gave speeches updating the meeting about their work at Holyrood and on South Ayrshire Council respectively. 

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Conservative candidate Lee Lyons visited Dundonald on Saturday 6th February to talk to local residents about the upcoming Scottish elections. Lee received a very positive response on the doorsteps and many issues were raised by local people, particularlythe failure of the SNP in Government and the lack of opposition from Labour. Local residents were united in their feeling that they want a strong opposition to hold the SNP to account and prevent Scotland becoming a one party state. Lee Lyons and the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party are committed to being that strong Scottish alternative at Holyrood after May 5th.

Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Lee Lyons has slammed the Scottish Government over their announcement to cut the annual grant to the Scottish Young Farmers.A Scottish Government spokeswoman confirmed that the Young Farmers annual £66,000 grant is being cut completely, representing just over a 10% hit to the group’s annual operating budget.The Scottish Young Farmers represent young people who live in rural communities across Scotland and several hundred members are in and around Ayrshire. Lee Lyons said: “I am disappointed that the SNP have decided to completely cut the annual grant given to Scottish Young Farmers. It is a vital group which helps bring together over 3,500 young people from some of the most isolated parts of Scotland and this cut will almost certainly have a negative impact on the way the organisation operates.