Newmilns Street Surgery

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Looking forward to being in Newmilns this coming Wednesday (20th December) as part of my Street Surgery engagement.

My staff and I will be chapping doors in; Burn Road, Cochrane Place, Greenhead, Greenside, Ladeside, Mill Court, Mill Crescent, Mill Road, Persian Sands, Union Street and Weavers Place.

 It is vital to get out and about and talk to constituents on their doorsteps about matters that are important to them.

However, if you will not be in or do not reside in the areas listed above but have an issue you would like to discuss don't hesitate to get in touch with me:

alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk / 01563 501412 or drop into my office at 31A Titchfield Street in Kilmarnock (KA1 1QW).

Darvel Street Surgery

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Looking forward to being in Darvel this coming Friday (8th December) as part of my Street Surgery engagement. My staff and I will be chapping doors in; Glen Crescent, Hutchinson Drive and Paterson Terrace between 1.00 and 4.00 pm.  It is vital to get out and about and talk to constituents on their doorsteps about matters that are important to them. However, if you will not be in or do not reside in the areas listed above but have an issue you would like to discuss please contact me: alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk / 01563 501412 or drop into my office at 31A Titchfield Street in Kilmarnock (KA1 1QW).

Press Release: SafeWalk

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ALAN BROWN MP SUPPORTS 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

In support of the UN Women worldwide campaign to end gender-based violence Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun attended a Parliamentary reception to show support for this important cause.

The event, organised in collaboration with SafeWalk, aligned with this year’s theme to ‘invest to prevent violence against women and girls’. 

The 16 Days of Activism campaign encourages citizens to show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from such violence. 

SafeWalk are a groundbreaking new initiative from SafeKab, dedicated to ensuring the safety of women when travelling. Representatives from SafeWalk were present at the event, to give insight into how their app works, and how it can help constituents across Kilmarnock and Loudoun.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"I was pleased to show my support for this incredibly vital campaign. 

“I regularly hear from women across my constituency about their concerns and experiences when travelling, and I know how much of an impact it can have on their daily lives. 

“Women should be able to travel safely; however, that still isn’t the case for so many, and that’s why initiatives such as the 16 days of activism and apps like SafeWalk are so important to moving this cause forward.

“It is crucial to recognise that our efforts at the local level contribute to a larger, worldwide campaign against violence targeting women.

“It is high time for us to stand against this pervasive issue, and strive to create a world where women can travel without fear, ensuring safety, dignity, and equality for all." 

Gavin Johnston from SafeWalk added:

“Our first priority with anything we do is safety. That’s our number one goal.

“The idea for Safewalk came from exactly that. We wanted to make sure everyone feels safe when making a journey.

“Over the years, you see things you don’t want to and that no one should have to experience. We hope to eradicate that as far as possible.

“It’s a real concern for women, and that’s why we want to address these issues, and hopefully give women confidence when travelling”.

Press Release: Barony Campus (East Ayrshire School

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Last Week (Friday 17th November 2023) Alan Brown MP visited the Barony Campus in Cumnock.

The MP was shown around the super school by Food Services Manager Chris Walker and Senior Catering Manager Kim Sloan, before serving up some fish and chips for the P1 class.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun was invited to see first-hand how East Ayrshire’s Council Catering Department operate and hear about the local authority’s fantastic half-price school meal initiative.

Since August 2023 the Council has been supporting a half-price school meal option for all paying pupils within Primary 6 and 7 and all academy pupils. This means all paying children receive a healthy meal at lunchtime for £1.08.

East Ayrshire Council Catering Department serve over 1,100 freshly prepared meals to pupils and young learners daily at the Campus. All meals are served with a selection of fresh vegetables or salad options and use a host of local suppliers for the ingredients - including Corrie Mains eggs, Fergusons bakery, Peroni fish Merchants, Spittal Fruit and Vegetables, Mossgiel Farm and Campbells Brothers Prime meat.

Mr Brown was also briefed on Mossgiel Farm supplying fresh milk to all school kitchens which are distributed into milk machines for pupils to help themselves. This has resulted in reduced the use of single-use plastic bottles by 100% an estimated 15 million single-use cartons not being used.

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“The local authority deserves so much credit for the food that is on offer for every pupil at every school in East Ayrshire.

“The accessibility of a high-quality, freshly prepared meal for paying pupils at a mere £1.08 is truly commendable, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis.

The commitment to ensuring no child goes home hungry is not only laudable but also imperative.

“It was great to hear the Council’s use of several local suppliers for their production, and everything is made fresh in-house. The employment factor was also interesting, given the fact that East Ayrshire currently has five modern apprentices working in school kitchens across the area.

“I was glad to lend a hand and dish up some lunches for the kids before being treated to my own fish and chips which was delicious.

“I would like to thank Chris and Kim for generously taking time out of their busy schedules to provide me with a comprehensive tour and discuss their operational strategies. The exceptional rapport they share with the staff truly personifies the cohesiveness of an outstanding team and the exceptional working environment they have in place there."

Also commenting, Food Services Manager Chris Walker said:

“It was a pleasure as the Food Services Manager within East Ayrshire Council to invite along Alan Brown to our Barony Campus to view first-hand the school meals service.

“Alan saw first-hand the healthy and nutritious meals that are served to over 1000 pupils each day in our Early Childhood Centre, Primary and Secondary Schools within the Campus.

“Alan showed a great interest in the preparation and delivery of the school meals service on the day of his visit even helping out with the service at the counters serving Primary school pupils their healthy lunch on the day along with a fresh cup of Mossgiel milk.”

Press Release: MP HERoes Awards

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Last week (Tuesday 14th November) Alan Brown MP welcomed constituent Sarah Frame to parliament as part of an awards ceremony. 

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun nominated Sarah from the Book Nook in Stewarton for the MP HERoes Awards. The awards honour, encourage, celebrate and support female enterprise across the whole of the UK. 

Sarah, fuelled by a lifelong passion for books, made a bold move from the corporate world to turn her dream of owning a bookstore into reality. 

It was apt that on Book Week Scotland 2023 Sarah travelled to Westminster to attend the ceremony and collect her well-deserved reward. 

Prior to the awards ceremony, Sarah enjoyed a firsthand experience in the public gallery, observing parliamentary proceedings, and also took part in a guided tour of the estate, organised by Mr Brown. 

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said: 

"Nominating Sarah for the MP HERoes Awards was a no-brainer. Her captivating journey epitomises the essence of these awards. 

“Having witnessed the Book Nook's growth and progress, I had the honour of officially opening their new premises last November (2022). The Book Nook's events are phenomenal, offering something for everyone, from adult and kid book clubs to appearances and signings by top authors. 

“It's admirable that these events are free, but sustaining this generosity requires continued local support— now is the perfect opportunity with Christmas just around the corner. 

“Sarah is a true inspiration, and her well-deserved recognition is a testament to her dedication and achievements. I'm thrilled to see her receive the acknowledgement she rightfully deserves." 

Also commenting, Sarah Frame said: 

“I was exceptionally privileged yesterday to go to Westminster to collect an MPHeroes Award. 

“My sincere appreciation to Alan Brown MP for nominating me for this award, it truly means so much. 

“Thanks too to Margaret Murray from Alan's office, who made sure I had an amazing day with a tour of Westminster and a pass to the public gallery as well. 

“The MPHeroes celebration included a round table discussion and reception in The House of Lords. It was great to meet and talk to so many of the other MPHERoes and I look forward to continuing networking with them. 

“It was a wonderful and memorable day and my thanks to everyone who supports The Book Nook.” 

For more information on upcoming events at the Book Nook please visit their website: https://www.booknookstewarton.co.uk/ or drop in at 6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA. 

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Ceasefire in Gaza

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Last week I was proud to stand alongside 124 other members in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The SNP amendment was put forward to the house and was unfortunately defeated 293 – 125.

I have huge respect to the 56 Labour MPs who had the guts to put humanity before party politics and vote for the SNP amendment. Unfortunately, neither of Labour’s two Scottish MPs, voted on the motion. In advance of the vote, I intervened on both Rachel Reeves and David Lammy and asked them if they would be voting for a ceasefire but both frontbenchers refused to answer, albeit the writing was on the wall that they wouldn’t be voting in favour of it. History will be the judge of their (in)actions.

The way the Scottish Labour MPs voted also showed once again that “Scottish Labour” is indeed a branch office. Anas Sarwar supposedly leads Scottish Labour and has called for a ceasefire. Yet, had Ian Murray the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland voted that way, Keir Starmer would have sacked him. Proof, once again, that Labour MPs from Scotland are answerable only to their London masters.

Fenwick Street Surgery

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On Friday it was great to be out and about in Fenwick chapping doors with my staff as part of our constituency engagement.

We knocked on around 150 doors in the village and heard from constituents on their doorsteps about important local and national issues.

It was yet another positive experience and some cases picked up for my office. Looking forward to heading to Darvel in a few weeks (8th December) for my next Street Surgery.

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