East Ayrshire

The Result

Electorate: 94,383
Area (Hectares): 125,199

This area is a curious mix of pastoral beauty and industrial decay. It stretches from the Central Lowlands in the north to Loch Doon in the Southern Uplands. There is a history of heavy industry and coal mining took place in the area around Cumnock until quite recently. The region's largest town, Kilmarnock, is home to both heavy and light engineering plants, meat canning factories and the Johnnie Walker distillery.

Like most areas of central Scotland, East Ayrshire is staunchly Labour. The SNP are the only other party with any seats on the council. Although, the SNP seemed to be in position to take the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun at the last election, Labour held it with a slightly increased majority.

Results of 1979 referendum:

ICM/Scotsman poll published on 22 August 1997:

		Yes		No		Don't know
All Scotland		68%		21%		11%
Strathclyde		71%		16%		13%

Question:Should a Scottish Parliament have tax-varying powers?

		Yes		No		Don't know
All Scotland		56%		36%		8%
Strathclyde		56%		36%		9%

(Total Sample Size: 1,001, Fieldwork: 19-20 August 1997)