John Scott, Conservative
"Labour won by only 25 votes last May and since then Labour have let down their voters across the board. Pensioners have only had a 75p increase in their pension, parents worry about Labour's plans to abolish Section 28, which we want to keep, motorists struggle to pay increasing fuel charges and students have to pay a new tax to study at university. They have let people down from all walks of life. Locally, South Ayrshire Council's Labour Group will this week force through a swingeing package of £5 million of service cuts affecting all main service areas. Top of the councils hit list is Carrick Street Halls. Only the Tories are fighting to save these halls. When you go to vote I urge you to think about how badly Lour have let down you, your family and your friends. And then, remember that if you want to send a message to Donald Dewer and Tony Blair that they have got the wrong priorities you should vote Conservative - the only party which can beat Labour"

Stuart Ritchie, Liberal Democrats
"This is a make or break election which will be fought on local issues: Ayr Carrick Street Day Centre, Troon Harbour project and the state of local health facilities. The benefits of coalition government will soon filter through to the people of Ayr constituency as will the boon of our most significant victory - the abolition of tuition fees. The party's position - with two seats in the Scottish Cabinet - gives the Scottish Lib Dems the reigns of powers while, at the same time, marketing our own inimitable brand of politics, based on common sense, compassion and democracy. Where, though, is the compassion in South Ayrshire Council's decision to close Ayr's Carrick Street Day Centre? We are pre-empting decisions. We were the first party to call for a public enquiry over the proposed harbour at Troon, with Environment Minister Sarah Boyack announcing just that months after we first raised it. A vote for the Scottish Lib Dems is a vote for Change"

Rita Miller, Labour
"I have a simple message fore the people of Ayr constituency. There can be no return to the dark days of the Tories. There must be no going back. We have made real progress here in Ayr in the tree years since Labour was elected. Ignore the spin - look at the record. With the New Deal we have seen youth unemployment drop by a massive 69% - and that's real progress for our young people. The Tories fought the New Deal every inch of the way, while the Nationalists claimed it was a 'Mickey Mouse' project. Labour's great victories in Ayr helped deliver this labour Government and a Scottish Parliament. And as the New Deal shows, it was a vital victory. All the elderly people in this community know we have started to deliver for the pensioners. A minimum income guarantee for our poorest pensioners. Free eye tests and a £100 fuel payment for the over 60s - Labour will make sure that is paid every year before Christmas - plus free TV licences for over 75s. There is still work to be done, but only Labour will do that work".

Jim Mather, SNP
"It's nearly polling day. The Ayr by-election has been transformed into a two-horse race between the SNP and the Tories. Don't just take my word for it! That's the view of newspapers, the bookies and even Labour pollsters. Tony Blair was forced to cancel his visit when he found out! The Tory legacy, from 18 years in government, is of decline and bitter disappointment - that's why Ayr voted them out. But now, they're back with a new candidate, asking us to forget past failures. And the SNP? We want an effective Scottish Parliament. We believe that with the correct stewardship, it will improve our lives - creating real jobs, improving healthcare, tackling crime and vandalism, and protecting our air traffic control services. For my part, I will work to put Ayr on the map, putting my energy and business experience to work in speeding up the creation of jobs and opportunities. Give me your vote, and you'll have my complete commitment and dedication!"

James Stewart, Scottish Socialist Party
"The Scottish Socialist Party makes the twin crimes of poverty and inequality our central priority. We demand action against poverty pay, calling for a national minimum wage set at the European Decency Threshold, 68% of average earnings, £7 an hour. Big business, with it's obscene levels of profits, could easily afford this. After all, the richest 1,000 people increased their incomes by £20,000 an hour last year! The Scottish Socialists, through Tommy Sheridan, are demanding a pensioners charter from the Scottish Parliament, to provide free travel, free winter fuel, free phones and TV licences. We condemn New Labour's pathetic 75p rise, and their plans to close Content House and Carrick Hall, pensioners' facilities in Ayr. We demand restoration of the link between pensions and earnings, a £32 a week increase overnight. We stand on the side of workers, young people, single parents and students. We stand for an independent socialist Scotland"

Clif Cotcherby, Independent, "The Radio Vet"
"I would like to see an independent Scottish Parliament which has the governance of both the Scottish land area an populace. Free from the ties an whips of any political party, I know the constituency inside-out and am well able to speak up for everybody. I am standing to represent the people of Ayr because three of the 'main' parties are tied one way or another to Westminster. And the SNP wants a completely separate Scotland. This election has come about because Ian Welsh was given nothing to do and allowed to say nothing. I will stand for the retention of Section 28, for no promotion of homosexuality in schools. Regarding Air Traffic Control, I say No to privatisation via profit-making companies and 'No' to endangering jobs at Atlantic House. The roll-on-roll-off terminal at Troon - I believe there must be a thorough Public enquiry. A vote for me is the natural medium for sending a strong signal to your feelings on these issues"

Kevin Dillon, Independent, Anti-Cloning Candidate.
"Kevin's main argument is about genetic cloning. He is fervently opposed to the Government's secrecy regarding genetic science and it's effect on ordinary people. He promises to fight for Life, Liberty and Security for everyone. He will redefine what it is to be human. He is disgusted there has never been public consolation over the use of our genes in experiments, and will argue for more information and access to data already stored. With no party line to toe, Kevin believes he is the best independent candidate for representing local concerns and views. As a voice for the ordinary people, he promises to fight for better health services, education and cheaper studying."

Robert Graham, Pro-Life Alliance.
"The Pro-Life Alliance is based on protecting people, be it unborn babies or societies weak and elderly. The party will fight for better education, better health services, and will aim towards a healthier society. We aim to dismantle the two-tier NHS, making sure all facilities and care will be universal. Living in Linwood, I know all about the destruction caused by the large container lorries passing through the town and damaging the roads, so I promise to fight against proposals for the Troon terminal. And I will work hard to cut the amount of traffic racing through the town"

Alistair McConnachie, UKIP
"Firstly, membership of the EU has been a disaster for the UK. It has destroyed our fishing and our farming. We pay it a colossal £11 billion a year. That's enough to build six new hospitals, or 100 new comprehensive schools a month, and still have money left over! We are the only Party advocating freedom from the EU. And we are the only party which will keep the pound forever, on principle and for all time. Thirdly, we advocate the abolition of the Scottish Parliament for the UK. We work for the day when there will be do demand for a Scottish Parliament. If I am elected to the Scottish Parliament I will represent the people of Ayr and give voice to the will of the people of Ayr and I will also use the Parliament as a platform to promote our policies."

Gavin Corbett, Scottish Green Party.
"Over the last few weeks many people have told me they would like to vote Green but feel they need to vote tactically to prevent a rival party winning. But the election is no longer a two-horse race. A strong Green vote will send tremors all the way to Edinburgh. It will tell MSPs that the people of Ayrshire understand that the only future for Scotland is a green one. My 10-point plan for Ayr constituency includes securing dry warm homes for pensioners and families with young children. I would fight for reducing waste and creating jobs by increasing recycling from 6 to 40% by 2005. If people like these ideas they should forget about pale imitations and vote Green!"

Afternote: I have not made any comment on these statements, although I would take issue with some statements. It is also worth looking at the about each candidates devotes to Westmister policy. Remeber, this is a Scottish Parliament election and as such Blair, Europe, Economic Policy, Defence and the ilk have NO RELEVANCE! The idea of a 'new Scottish Politics' is still far off - many still campaign the same as they do at Westminster.
NB: This was taken directly from the Ayrshire Leader, all extracts are DIRECT QUOTES from the candidates and not from the paper, hece why they are pubished here.