Tosh contested Ayr at the October 1974 general election as a Liberal, and Glasgow Hillhead at the 1983 general election for the Conservatives. From 1987 to 1996, he represented Troon South-West ward on Kyle and Carrick District Council, where he rose to become deputy leader of the Conservative group.J. M. Bochel and D. T. Denver, The Scottish District Elections 1988: Results and Statistics (Dundee: University of Dundee, 1989), p. 74; J. M. Bochel and D. T. Denver, The Scottish District Elections 1992: Results and Statistics (Dundee: University of Dundee, 1992), p. 89.Murray Ritchie, 'Tory wins as Labour MSPs revolt; First Minister's choice beaten in vote', The Herald, 30 November 2001.
