Supermarket Surgery: Sainsbury's, Stewarton
/Enjoyed being at Sainsbury's in Stewarton earlier for my Supermarket Surgery.
Great to catch up with John (pictured), as well as other constituents, and pick up some casework.
Now that I'm on recess I look forward to being out and about in the constituency over the next few weeks.
Video: Substandard PPE
/The Public Accounts Committee say the UK Gov has £4bn worth of substandard PPE in storage. While Tory cronies were prioritised, front-line workers' lives were put at risk as a result.
I asked how much of the £4bn will be recovered and what action is being taken against these 'suppliers'?
PM Resignation - Kilmarnock Standard comments
/My comments regarding the Prime Minister’s resignation:
“I suppose it is no surprise that I am relieved that Johnson eventually resigned as Prime Minister. I have called for his resignation for some time. He bulldozed his way through his tenure; from lying to the Queen and proroguing Parliament to partying in Downing Street during the pandemic – then lying about it. There’s so much more I could say on his antics but I am conscious of going over old ground. Tory MPs knew what they were getting with Johnson, but they didn’t care as long as it bought them success in an election. It is a sign of how damaged Johnson is when the same self-serving politicians have suddenly found a moral high ground stating that Johnson is not fit for office.
“He is the most self-serving of any Prime Minister, certainly in my time as an MP but for as long as I can remember. He showed no regard for anyone bar himself, which is personified by the number of Ministers who resigned over the past week. Of course, I have plenty of disdain for Westminster but the skeleton government that is in place, as a result of the resignations, is really concerning. They are not fit for Ministerial roles and it worries me about what will happen in the coming weeks/months.
“Although I am pleased Johnson is gone, it has to be reiterated that he will be replaced with another Tory that the people of Scotland did not vote for. We must have a say on our future and I hope the new PM does not stand in the way of democracy. Since 2014 we have seen three different PMs, which will be four by the time Johnson’s successor is announced, and two Tory Governments we did not vote for. We cannot fall for Project Fear again, remember they told us Brexit and Boris Johnson as PM was fantasy? Oh, how wrong they were.”
Video: Beis Sec. admits to snubbing Scottish projects
/Outrageous!
BEIS Secretary admits to snubbing Scottish projects.
I've constantly raised the case for new pumped storage hydro, namely Coire Glas.
He now admits to not pursuing as it's a technology based in Scotland. Shocking on so many levels and he is cutting his nose off to spite his face.
Press Release: IndyRef 2
/Alan Brown MP welcomes indyref in 2023
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has echoed the statement made by the First Minister who has promised a referendum on Scottish independence on 19th October 2023.
It will be almost 10 years since the last vote and Mr Brown feels now is the time for the people of Scotland to have a say on their future.
Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“The mandate for a second referendum is clear. Opposition parties can spin it whatever way they like but at the end of the day there has been a pro-indy majority at Holyrood for the last three parliaments and so much has changed since 2014.
“The Tories have not won an election in Scotland for nearly 70 years, they have no right to tell us what we can and cannot do. Labour are once again conveying their “Tory Lite” ideology by going through with Brexit and the Lib Dems, who fought for the “People’s Vote” to reverse Brexit but do not offer the same alternative to the people of Scotland?
“Ideally, a referendum will be held with Westminster’s co-operation. Of course they continue to ignore the wishes of voters in Scotland so I welcome the fact that the First Minister is doing all she can to make this happen lawfully, including a referral to the courts.
“This Tory Government is failing in almost every department. They are pitiful in their efforts to fight the cost of living crisis, they were partying in Downing Street whilst we obeyed the restrictions and their austerity cuts have shown nothing but contempt for the most vulnerable in our society. They are now breaking International Law by unilaterally changing the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“We deserve better and this referendum will give Scotland a chance to stand on its own two feet and thrive as an independent nation.”
Mr Brown has also supported Ms Sturgeon’s vow that the next Westminster General Election will be a de facto indyref if Westminster decided to block Scotland’s right to vote.
“I have no qualms about standing on the single issue of independence at the next General Election,” he added.
“If the UK Government wants to stand in the way of democracy, we have no other option but to make the next General Election a statement on independence.”
Dunlop Gala 2022
/As the end of the gala season drew near, I had another great day out at Dunlop Gala. The sun shone and the wind didn’t get too strong making for a very pleasant afternoon.
I am really impatient when it comes to being in a queue, but when it is local events like these, it is great to see queues at the stalls! It has been very enjoyable being at all the various galas and fairs over the past couple of months. In all cases, a return since 2019, and very noticeable that crowds are bigger than average as people making the most of getting out and enjoying these community events.
