Going solo on the South Ayrshire election trail with independent candidate fighting the odds

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The lot of an independent candidate is not an easy one.For Andrew Russell, it has meant clocking up miles along the streets of Ayr North, delivering around 8,000 leaflets to homes and attempting to persuade locals that an independent voice is better than that of the political parties.While the candidates for the main political parties can call upon significant resources, in the form of campaign materials, volunteers and voter data, independents like Andrew must take to the streets in a more traditional way.One of the first things the former Merchant Navyman relays is his thanks to the people he has spoken to, and his belief that the number of first-time independent candidates could herald a shift from voting along party lines.“I have to thank all the people who I talked to en route for their kind words and encouragement,” he said ahead of the South Ayrshire Council elections on Thursday, May 5.“It seems that we new Independent candidates have given them some hope that a change in the administration is on the horizon and we can put the last five years behind us.”The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.A well-known campaigner, Andrew has actively railed against the likes of the new Ayr Leisure Centre, the demolition of the High Flats and even the location of a all-weather sports pitch in Girvan.Mr Russell suggested it was telling that the projects that had been pursued