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A deposed MSP claims Nicola Sturgeon’s “Presidential” campaign hurt the SNP’s bid for glory in Ayr.

And Chic Brodie said “failure to showcase clear policies” affected the party’s chances of winning a national majority.

In a broadside sure to cause shockwaves at Holyrood, Mr Brodie said defeated candidates like Ayr hopeful Jennifer Dunn deserved more of the spotlight.

Her narrow defeat to Tory John Scott was, Brodie said, a result of a “local fight coloured by the national campaign”.

And in a plea to SNP hierarchy, he called for “more projection of individual candidates” in future.

(Image: Euan McCall/Ayrshire Post)

Brodie, 72, lost his South of Scotland list seat at last week’s vote.

But it was the failure of Dunn – chalked up a 1/7 favourite by bookmakers – which raised far bigger eyebrows.

Brodie denied rumours of any split in Ayr’s Nationalist camp in the lead-up to to polling day – but did acknowledge Tory claims that he would have been a “stronger opponent”.

It followed Ms Dunn’s defeat by 750 votes – a result that thrilled senior Tories who had feared their man had a “mountain to climb” only a few weeks ago.

He said: “I am flattered the opposition would say that but we had a good candidate chosen by members and we were all behind her.

“People have different views on how campaigns should be run but the fact is had we won Ayr it would have taken us closer to that majority.

“There is a lot of good work we have done locally in the last five years and we should have capitalised on that.

“One area where we might have made our national position a lot clearer was on the issue of a second referendum.

(Image: Daily Record)

“The electorate are not daft. They look for clear messages on independence and what it would mean.

“And I think the Presidential nature of our campaign led to a real lack of exposure for our policies.

“The rise in the Tory vote is unprecedented but I feel with a bit more focus put on our local candidates we might have seen things go differently.”

READ:MORE FROM THE AYRSHIRE POST

Brodie, a man with almost 50 years of experience in the political game, has come a long way since his days as chairman of the Young Socialists.

And a string of election fights as first a Liberal and then a Nationalist has hardened him to the game in this country.

His tenure in the south-west has been marked by many colourful projects, including a drive to discover oil and gold as part of a hoped-for economic boom.

And the grandfather of ten insists he is not about to disappear quietly despite losing his seat.

(Image: Euan McCall/Ayrshire Post)

Refusing to be drawn on any potential bid for a South Ayrshire Council seat next year, Brodie said his immediate focus was to “pursue business interests both locally and internationally”.

He said: “I will never stop working for the benefit of this area – it is what I have always done and will continue to do.

“And I will die with my political boots on.

“I am proud to be a member of the SNP and that will not change.”