Ian is Fitz for a return
73- year- old eyes council comeback
A comeback councillor is bidding to resurrect his political career – at the age of 73.
Ian Fitzsimmons admits he “fell out of love” with the game after losing his seat in a bruising contest five years ago.
But the Tory insists he’s hungrier than ever to return and reclaim his place at the top table.
The self- employed painter and decorator spent 13 years as a councillor before being dumped in a shock 2012 defeat.
Independent Alec Clark helped to turn the Girvan and South Carrick ward upside down with his march to a landslide victory.
Now one of Carrick’s most recognisable faces is attempting to burst back onto the big stage.
Ian said: “I’ll admit that the defeat took me a while to get over and I fell out of love with politics on the whole.
“I came in as a councillor way back in 1999 and won my seat in the old Girvan and Ailsa ward by just one vote.
“But having topped the poll in the following two elections, suddenly I wasn’t involved anymore and that wasn’t easy.”
Now Conservative top brass have talked Ian, the council’s former planning chair, into an unlikely comeback bid.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed my time away to the extent I’ve done a lot of volunteering work.
“But when I helped out on the campaign for the independence referendum, I knew I still had that passion in me.
“It would be easy to sit back and say that’s me done my time on the council, but I’m really keen to get back in and do my best for the people.”
Incumbent Girvan councillor Clark will be among those lining up in opposition, with other parties yet to declare their candidates.