Scottish Conservative candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran Todd Ferguson has backed a bigger police force and more bobbies on the beat as one of the party's key priorities at the next general election.

At their recent annual conference, held in Aberdeen, the Scottish Conservatives revealed the five issues they will focus on in the decisive vote which has to take place before the end of January 2025

Mr Ferguson points out that by recruiting 1,000 extra police officers around the country, it would mean over two dozen more officers on the streets in North Ayrshire and Arran.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Speaking about the policing priority, Mr Ferguson said: "We want to keep our communities in North Ayrshire and Arran safe and reverse the trend over the lowest officer numbers since 2008.

Other priorities outlined include repairing and upgrading key roads in North Ayrshire and Arran and recruiting 1,000 extra GPs across Scotland to ease the NHS backlog in NHs Ayrshire and Arran.

Restoring standards in schools in North Ayrshire and Arran to their 'once world-leading reputation' is also a key pledge.

Cutting taxes for hard-pressed workers and families in North Ayrshire and Arran was another.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Todd Ferguson sees additional police as a key priority Todd Ferguson sees additional police as a key priority (Image: North Ayrshire Conservatives)

Mr Ferguson added that as an islander who lives on Cumbrae, he will be putting island connectivity and ferries at the very heart of his local campaign in North Ayrshire and Arran.

He pointed out the election is a chance to focus on vital issues 'from upgrading and repairing key roads to recruiting more GPs to help ease the growing backlog for suffering patients and dedicated staff in NHS Ayrshire and Arran'.

The candidate added: “I am also delighted to back plans to restore schools in North Ayrshire and Arran to their once world-leading reputation and ensure pupils and teachers feel safe in their learning environment.

“We want to reduce the tax burden on hard-pressed workers and families in North Ayrshire and Arran who are suffering due to Scotland being the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom.

“Finally, as an islander,  I will fight to ensure the long term viability of our ferry network and ensure that adequate investment for vital infrastructure is delivered in North Ayrshire and Arran..

"As I campaign on the doorsteps in North Ayrshire and Arran these are the day-to-day issues that people are raising with me, not the SNP’s obsession with independence."