Latest headlines
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Victory for the SNP with 63 seats - two short of a majority
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Conservatives are the second largest party on 31 seats - but Labour on 24 lost 13 seats
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Scottish Greens are the fourth largest party with six seats, ahead of the Lib Dems who won five
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See the changing political map of Scotland
Scoreboard
| Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Net percentage change in seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Party
CON Scottish Conservatives |
Candidates John Scott | Votes 16,183 | 43.0% | Net percentage change in seats +4.1 |
|
Party
SNP Scottish National Party |
Candidates Jennifer Dunn | Votes 15,433 | 41.0% | Net percentage change in seats +5.4 |
|
Party
LAB Scottish Labour |
Candidates Brian McGinley | Votes 5,283 | 14.0% | Net percentage change in seats −9.3 |
|
Party
LD Scottish Lib Dems |
Candidates Robbie Simpson | Votes 716 | 1.9% | Net percentage change in seats −0.2 |
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Change compared with 2011 |
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Turnout and Majority
Scottish Conservatives Majority
750Turnout
61.1%Constituency Profile
Tourists have been attracted to the seaside town of Ayr because of its connections to poet Robert Burns, its sandy beaches and golf courses. The affluence of the south of the town is contrasted with the industrial make-up and council estates of the north.
To the north of Ayr is Prestwick, known for its airport, wholly owned by the Scottish government since 2013. Further north is Troon, home to two championship golf courses, and a popular marina. There is some agriculture in the west, but tourism, engineering and fishing are also major industries.
The 1999 election produced a close contest when Labour’s Ian Welsh won by 25 votes. However, seven months after being elected, Mr Welsh announced he was standing down for family reasons. The March 2000 by-election saw Labour beaten into third place. The Conservatives’ John Scott became constituency MSP, taking the seat again in 2003, 2007, and 2011.