LABOUR, Conservative and Independent councillors have joined forces to push through a ban on campaign posters on North Ayrshire lampposts ahead of the European Election and Independence Referendum.

The matter was decided at the last meeting of the council before the Easter break, when Tory Councillor Tom Marshall hijacked a motion to make some minor changes to the rules around political campaign posters with his own amendment to completely ban them from council property.

In practice, this means political campaigners will not be allowed to pin their posters to lampposts, railings and other 'street furniture’, putting an end to a decades-long tradition in North Ayrshire, but bringing it into line with other local authorities like East and South Ayrshire, where bans are already in place.

The move to get rid of posters from council property has been interpreted by SNP councillors as an effort to hinder the Yes campaign just a few months from the referendum on Scottish Independence.

During last week’s meeting, SNP members were eager to remind members of a similar motion proposed by Lib-Dem councillors in 2008, which was soundly defeated by Labour and SNP councillors, who were united on the issue.

Irvine Councillor Matt Brown said: “The underlying reason behind the motion was that the Liberals and Conservatives knew they didn’t have the legs to put out posters.” Council Leader Willie Gibson argued that the practice “raised awareness” of elections and thus was important for an area such as North Ayrshire, which suffers from low turnouts. He said he saw no reason why Labour should have reversed their position since 2008.

Brushing off suggestions that their support of the amendment was politically motivated, Labour councillors argued the ban would put an end to confusion and benefit town centres.

Cllr Alex Gallagher commented: “I think they make a mess of the town, I have to put them up myself and go take them down, and I don’t think they contribute anything to the debate. I’ve never changed my mind on that.” The entire opposition of Conservative, Labour and Independent councillors voted together to defeat the SNP administration, passing the amendment by 13 votes to 11.

Defending his amendment after the vote, Cllr Marshall said: “The issues of so many posters on lampposts and street furniture was of concern. They serve no useful purpose and merely add to the clutter in the streets and in some cases are a real distraction to road users.

“Some argue that the presence of such materials increases the turnout at the elections but there is no evidence of this.” Labour’s Cllr Donald Reid, who seconded Cllr Mashall’s amendment, said: “North Ayrshire Council is bordered by three authorities that have banned election posters and this has become common practice as councils review there own policies. The Scottish Government has had such a ban in place for some time which has led to confusion locally. This is why I supported a move which applies also to elections - not just the referendum.

“The SNP pretends to be outraged at the vote. It would be easier to consider their position if, over the last two years, the Nationalists had not voted against Labour motions on blacklisting, the living wage, bus regulation and no bedroom tax evictions. I’m pretty sure these are issues that are far more important to local people than election posters being put on lampposts.” Cllr Ruth Maguire, SNP Group secretary, told the Times: “It is incumbent on all politicians to encourage as many people as possible to participate in the democratic process and vote. The colourful posters on lamp posts around election time have always been an integral part of elections in North Ayrshire.

“It is disappointing that Better Together, Labour and Tory councillors joined to ban campaign posters but not entirely surprising. More than anything it probably reflects the lack of activists they have on the ground willing to do street work.

“The Yes campaign in North Ayrshire is growing, we are seeing not only members of pro-independence political parties but folk who have never been involved in politics before joining our street stalls, public meetings and canvas and leaflet sessions - momentum is with Yes.”