Kilwinning’s council candidates put their policies before the public in the local election hustings last week

The evening was organised by Kilwinning Community Council with community councillor Blair Kerr hosting the hustings held in Kilwinning Bowling Club.

Each candidate was given a minute to answer questions with a 30 second rebuttal when appropriate.

The debate and questions were purely to focus on local issues relating to the council and there would be no discussion of the constitution or independence.

Labour candidate Joe Cullinane said: “Over the past seven months I’ve had the privilege of being the council leader and really proud to have lead a Labour administration that has done some really good things like increase the council house building programme and a really bold anti-austerity budget.” 

SNP candidate Scott Davidson, spoke of his pride in serving the people of Kilwinning as a firefighter over the years, and said: “If you elect myself and my colleague we’ll deliver the Ayrshire Growth Deal, improve early years learning and use extra Scottish Government Funding for Kilwinning schools’ attainment.” 

Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate John Glover said: “I have studied and walked every road in Kilwinning and my biggest thing is the centre of the town needs parking and a traffic management system and I would like to discuss that further tonight.

UKIP candidate Matthew Grainger said: “North Ayrshire Council is currently £226 million in debt, I’ve looked at all the other candidates websites or manifestos, it’s never mentioned.”

SNP candidate Susan Johnson said: “If elected the SNP will support Kilwinning by investing £4 million pounds in joint working with our locality partnerships.” 

Scottish Green candidate Yvonne McLellan said: “Kilwinning’s my home. It needs investment in the local economy and more investment in schools.”

Labour candidate Donald Reid said: “I’m a politician with a small p, because I put you the community always first. Everything I try and do is for Kilwinning’s benefit as a whole.”