23rd May 2022: A Week in Parliament

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Council

I was delighted to see Jim Todd re-elected as Provost and Claire Leitch as Depute Provost. They are both great representatives. From a political perspective, I was also delighted to see the SNP retain the leadership of the council. Congratulations too, to Douglas Reid, serving continuously as a councillor since 1992.

I note too, that unlike in other areas, Labour at least didn’t try to override the wishes of the electorate and run the council in cahoots with the Tories. Anas Sarwar made a promise of “no grubby backroom deals” but that has proven to be yet another Labour lie. Take Fife, for example, Labour with 20 seats have formed a minority administration, excluding the SNP who have 34 seats. It took the Tories and Lib Dems to work with Labour to achieve this, given there are 55 opposition councillors compared to the 20 forming the administration. It is good for parties to work together on local levels, but grubby deals keeping out by far the largest party is undemocratic.

Queens Speech

No new money. No emergency budget. Nothing to tackle the cost of living and cost of energy crisis. This is a Government devoid of empathy and understanding. They have promised tax cuts, which miss the point and of course, favours the richest. Some things never change.

Ian Campbell

A horse-drawn hearse with a police escort. A huge funeral cortege following. People out in the streets to pay their respects. Standing room only in Darvel Town Hall for the service. This wasn’t the funeral of a dignitary, but rather that of Ian Campbell, of Newmilns. It takes a special person to have touched so many people and have them pay their respects. In my job, I am lucky to meet many special people, particularly those in the charity sector, and voluntary sector. Yet, there are many others who I have been lucky enough to have been a friend. Ian was a well-known businessman, from his painting and decorating business, owning the Riverside Inn, his horse riding and especially his sense of fun and ability to be sociable. In terms of community involvement, he was the only volunteer to have been involved in every single Newmilns Gala, going back to the 1970s, quite a feat of endurance if nothing else! He was also the only man that could pull events such as piano smashing in these risk-averse health and safety days. He wasn’t a man for meetings but a man for getting things done, often using his many contacts. Who else could have arranged for electricity to be supplied via an extension cable from someone’s flat to the Gala venue at Greenside? He will be sorely missed and an additional tragedy was that he seemed to be fitter and healthier than at any time in his life and loving life with Louise, who both lit up each others’ lives. Condolences to Louise, his son Jackie and stepsons Andrew, Stephen and Mark. He will also be missed in Newmilns, Millport his second home, and many other places he left his mark.

16th May 2022: A Week in Parliament

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WASPI Campaign

I was delighted to meet once more with two of the Ayrshire WASPI campaigners at my office. I have signed the pledge demanding quick and fair compensation following the ombudsman confirming there was a failure in communications from the DWP. During the cost of living crisis, surely nothing would help more than some form of compensation which will allow women affected to maybe just live more comfortably and be able to pay for stuff they cannot afford to get done? It would provide a real boost for local economies as well.

Queen’s Speech Ceremony

We had the weird charade of her crown getting chauffeur-driven to the House of Lords while Prince Charles and Camilla travelled in a separate Rolls Royce. It is all a bit at odds with the cost of living crisis. The pomp and pageantry may have its place and appeals to tourists, but I think there is something wrong to throw money at some ceremonies and then a few days later, announcing they want to sack 91,000 civil servants to save money. At the weekend, it was nauseating listening to an unelected Lord telling us people need to be paid off for the Government to tighten their belts. Surely we should start with the 800 Lords? On a brighter note, it was good to see the Queen able to undertake some duties after missing those she would normally undertake at Westminster.

Queen’s Speech Legislation

Yet again, the legislation announced in the Queens’ Speech was a damp squib. Nothing to tackle the cost of living crisis. Plenty of bluster but no substance. The internal chaos of this Government was laid bare when some ministers were hinting there could be an emergency budget, then others denied it. There were hints more will be done about the cost of living crisis, and then this was also denied. After continuing to rule out a windfall tax, the Chancellor hinted he might reconsider. Given the chairman of BP stated that a windfall tax won’t jeopardise their planned investment, then there is no reason to hold back. However, the SNP has also consistently stated that windfall taxes should be considered on all those who saw massive profit increases due to covid including Amazon and the major supermarkets. This would also capture all the Tory cronies and donors who made excessive profits from their PPE contracts.

Meanwhile, Tory backbenchers are lobbying for tax cuts. I appreciate some will argue tax cuts will help people during this cost of living crisis. However, you can bet that the tax cuts will favour the richest the most, further increasing inequality.

Christian Aid Booksale

I popped into the Howard Centre to support their second-hand book sale to raise funds for Christian Aid. I may have been a bit ambitious in buying 24 books since I find it hard to devote as much time to read as I would like. But I live in hope! A big thank you to the volunteers and those who donated so many books – enough to do a second sale!

9th May 2022: A Week in Parliament

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Election Congratulations

Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to all candidates who got elected, and re-elected, in East Ayrshire. I am certain all councillors, irrespective of political party, will work their socks off and do their utmost in working hard for their constituents to improve the area. Special mention to my staff member Elaine Cowan who was elected in Kilmarnock North, she has worked in my office since I have become an MP and it’s great to see her back in at council level. Elaine is a board member at Celebrate Kilmarnock and cares about the area deeply – she will be a fantastic addition to East Ayrshire Council.

Election Success

The most telling aspect of the results was the rejection of the Tories, south of the border too! This election was an opportunity for voters to send a message to Boris Johnson that we have had enough of his sleaze-ridden, law-breaking Westminster government. The Tories have run out of excuses for their negligent inaction on their self-made cost of living crisis that is hammering families across Scotland. Rather than bringing forward meaningful financial measures to help support families and to put money into people's pockets, the Tory government is instead sitting on its hands and resorting to treating people with contempt – they have now paid the price for this.

Whilst the Tories and Labour try and spin it one way or another, the fact of the matter is this is the 11th victory in a row for the SNP and our greatest showing at local council level ever. Meanwhile, it is Labour’s second-worst result in nearly 50 years and the Tories are down 100,000 votes nationally – slumping to 1990 levels.

New Farm Loch Gala

At the weekend it was fantastic to stop by New Farm Loch Gala Day. I am enjoying being back out and about in the constituency and having face to face engagement with constituents. There were several wonderful stalls and activities for people of all ages to enjoy. I am really looking forward to attending more in the coming weeks. Well done to all involved.

With restrictions now easing I am hoping to carry out more visits and find new ways of engagement within the constituency. If you are a local business or organisation and would like me to come along for a visit please don’t hesitate to contact my office on 01563 501412 or email me: alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk

Darvel Juniors

With Killie’s season now over, I turned my attention to Darvel FC. An unbelievable achievement to win the West of Scotland Premier League, beating Kilwinning Rangers 3-2 on Saturday. The achievement is even more incredible when you consider the number of games they played over the past few weeks in all competitions – 12 since the start of April! It was a pleasure to see them lift the trophy in front of a brilliant crowd at Recreation Park. Let’s hope they can kick on, win the play-offs and compete next season in the Lowland League – ‘Mon the Vale!

Grange Amateurs

A final congratulations to Grange Amateurs on winning the Ayrshire Sunday League for the first time. To lose only one game all season is remarkable and being one of only three teams from East Ayrshire, they have done the area proud. Well done to all involved.

4th April 2022: A Week in Parliament

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BEIS Trip

As part of a BEIS Committee enquiry into digital market laws, I was part of a group trip to the United States. In what sounds like a holiday, we visited San Francisco, Washington DC and New York over five days. It was genuinely exhausting because of the time difference and our days starting just after 7am each day. However, it was also very useful and insightful. The bug tech boys for mobile phones – Apple and Google control digital access via their app store access and get to dictate terms to new entrants. Basically, they operate as monopolies and utilise unfair tactics. Of course, they profess no such things. We heard plenty of counter-evidence including from the Justice Department in the States. What this means for us as consumers is that we do not necessarily get the choice we would want, and it is costing way more in subscription fees than it would otherwise. It was made clear that the UK can actually put in place regulations that make it much more difficult to employ nefarious tactics. However, you also need to be able to enforce the regulations which mean properly funding enforcement and a willingness to fight the big boys in court if need be. We were advised that Facebook employs 100 lawyers for every lawyer the Justice department utilises in a case. Their profit in a day and a half is equivalent to the Federal Trade Commission’s entire annual budget. These companies make so much money that they are more powerful than many countries' entire economies. Frightening really and we need to do as much as possible to keep them right.

Energy Cost Crisis

As if things are not bad enough with the rising cost of energy, the new standing charges have been announced, and sadly, with no surprise, Scotland is getting ripped off in the new pricing structure announced by Ofgem. South West England is the only region in the UK higher, but on average Scottish standing charges are higher than every other region, and compared to London, in East Ayrshire we pay 52% more in the daily standing charge. How is this levelling up?

Brownings’ Energy Update

After I raised the case of the crippling electricity prices inflicted on Brownings’ the Bakers, John Gall advised that several brokers were in touch and he has secured a deal that is more affordable [still a huge increase]. Despite the Government doing nothing to help, it is always pleasing that some form of outcome is derived from myself being willing to take a case up in Parliament. Some people question the validity of being at Westminster where Scottish MPs and the SNP, in particular, can be treated with disdain by the Tory Government. Getting outcomes for constituents is the whole reason for being there. While I want independence and the end of Westminster rule, while elected there I will always do my best to secure the right outcomes for constituents or try and influence energy policy to make it better.

28th March 2022: A Week in Parliament

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P&O Ferries

I was part of a joint BEIS-Transport Select Committee session into the P&O sacking fiasco. It was incredible that the chief executive of P&O admitted they broke the law on advance notification/consultation on the redundancies because “no union would ever accept the new terms and conditions”. He also admitted that they had offered an enhanced pay-off package, calculating that this would “buy off” any tribunal action. Ruthless, despicable and callous. 800 workers just part of a balance sheet to trade-off. This is Global Brexit Britain. I appreciate Tory Ministers don’t want 800 P&O Ferry staff paid off. However, when I grilled the employment Minister about the fact there are better employment protections in France, Germany and the Netherlands, he argued that the UK has “more flexible laws” making it easier to create jobs. What he means is hire and fire easier. As I also pointed out, with vastly reduced workers' conditions, P&O can then undercut competition, meaning for example, that Stenna will come under pressure to cut terms and conditions in a race to the bottom. I certainly will not be using P&O again, that’s for sure.

Spring Statement

The Chancellor failed again to do something about the cost of living crisis. He has headroom as income was higher than predicted. For people the reality is: March 2021 energy cap was £1138; April 2022 it has increased to £1971, a 73% increase. Petrol after the 5p duty cut is +30% compared to March 2021. Meanwhile, oil prices are now +80% than predicted in March 2021 which gives a rough indication of just how much additional money the Treasury will have made from oil and gas revenues. They are still raking in extra VAT on our energy bills as well so he can choose to help if he wanted to.

Refugee Update

I wish I had better updates for families my office is dealing with. The online application system is taking way too long to process. In a briefing from a legal advisor on the process, he has stated people should consider going to the media to speed matters up. This is indicative of a system failure as legal advisors seldom recommend such action. It is so frustrating and with parliament recess, I cannot bring matters up in the chamber. Also, written questions are not answered or even published either. Meanwhile, every other country in Europe is still taking refugees with no family ties without the need for visas. It is soul-destroying.

Brownings the Bakers

I illustrated the impact of high energy costs on Brownings the Bakers. Electricity costs of £4 per week now increased to £11k per week and an offer made of a two-year contract at £17k per week! When I pointed out to the chancellor that he is making more VAT on these high costs, his answer was I was wrong! Not only is he ignoring households struggling with energy costs but he is also ignoring businesses and reality with his stupid response to me. Frustrating as these non-answers are, I will always do my best to put constituency matters forward.

21st March 2022: A Week in Parliament

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Refugee Update

Our office are now dealing with two families who are trying to get close family members over from Ukraine. It is so stressful for all concerned. Unfortunately, despite the rhetoric from the UK Government, it is not easy. The fact that the UK Government are demanding up to date passports is an issue. Why not accept out of date? Why insist on biometric data in such circumstances? The UK Government, and Priti Patel the Home Secretary keep citing security. Patel insisting we need to be wary of Russian women sneaking in with biochemical weapons. Is this really such a high risk? Such a move by Russia while the invasion of Ukraine is ongoing would be tantamount to war being declared on the west. Russia is headed up by an evil dictator and we cannot ignore the previous attack on UK soil – the Salisbury poisonings. However, we also need to remember that happened under full security checks and the use of biometric passports. They really need to be more compassionate.

Johnson

While Tories are rallying to defend Boris Johnson for his leadership at this time of crisis, up steps Johnson to compare Ukraine defending themselves against a Russian invasion to the UK Brexit vote as the UK wanting “freedom”. How can he be so crass to do so, and to do this in front of the Ukrainian Ambassador who was a guest of honour at the Tory Conference? This is the Ukrainian Ambassador who has had to point out that the UK are so awkward about immigration it was really difficult for his wife to get entry into the UK. If the Ambassador struggled previously, then what chance really for refugees in a time of crisis? When you look behind the rhetoric, the Tory UK Government truly are awful.

National Insurance Rise

The Spring statement is the last chance for the Chancellor to ditch the 1.25% rise to National Insurance. It beggars belief to do this when we have this cost of living crisis. It is not a fair tax as it hits those on lower wages the hardest. If we believe it is so important to balance the books, or raise money for the English NHS, then altering the higher rates of income tax would be much more equitable.

P & O Ferries

What a scandal that P & O Ferries have sacked 800 staff by a zoom call with no advance warning to replace the seafarers with cheap foreign labour. We already had British Airways doing fire and rehire on their staff, after receiving large amounts of furlough money. My colleague, Gavin Newlands tried to bring in a private members bill to outlaw such practices. The Tory Government refused, and now P & O have taken it to a new level. It is disgraceful – throwing their own staff on the scrapheap while taking advantage of desperate foreign workers. I suspect when they get operational again, it could backfire – many people will exercise choice and use alternate ferry companies. I have written to P & O to outline my anger.

14th March 2022: A Week in Parliament

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Refugees Welcome

My office continues to be contacted by constituents wanting to help Ukrainian refugees or to vent their anger at the mismanagement by the UK Government. Every day, a Minister or Secretary of State has been called to the dispatch box and each day they make a small concession while saying they are “leading the world”. It is bonkers when we know each country in Europe is doing much better. It is wasting time, putting people at more risk and means resources are not being concentrated properly.

I made the point that there are people who have had to flee their homes who might be reliant on humanitarian aid but are entitled to be in the UK as they have relatives here. What a waste of resources and money and emotional distress for the people involved. This is why the UK Government needs to be more compassionate as well as more practical.

Roman Abramovich

If ever there was a symbol of how the UK has mismanaged the Russian Oligarchs, then Roman Abramovich is it. Why does it take a war for the UK to act? It is now 19 years since he bought Chelsea, channelling billions of pounds of what the UK Government now says is dodgy money into Chelsea. By taking action now, it is saying “we know he was involved in corruption, but it didn’t matter back then”. It is also further proof that football, particularly the English Premier League clubs really need to have a look at themselves at who they allow to run their football clubs and what credibility they then give these people.

Visas

We know how difficult it is to get visas for refugees coming here in contrast to the “investor visa” that rich Russians were able to utilise. Commit to invest £2m and you get a visa. Make it £10m and you could apply for permanent settled status after just two years. As the adage goes, money corrupts. This scheme was started by Gordon Brown – what was he thinking about? It has been utilised extensively under the Tories until it closed recently. We have to remember that when we are told how London subsidises the rest of the UK that London has benefited from these lax rules and Governments not tackling the Russian dirty money being laundered through the City of London. It is also this money that allows so much construction work to take place in London, the flats sold and often never inhabited but retained as an asset.

Top of the League

Well done to Kilmarnock F.C. for getting back to the top of the league. Doing so against our local rivals was certainly enjoyable. On a personal note, I would like to thank Ayr United who facilitated access to the section for disabled supporters. With a cast on my broken foot, I am not allowed any weight on it so have the use of a wheelchair on a temporary basis. I have had to suffer jokes about my instant recovery when Killie scored right at the start of the game! 


7th March 2022: A Week in Parliament

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Ukraine Bravery

The bravery of the Ukrainian soldiers and the wider population has been amazing. There is no doubt the war hasn’t gone as Putin intended. The bravery of citizens standing in protest in front of Russian soldiers where cities have been nominally captured is incredible. It conveys the powerful message that they will not give in. It is high risk – it doesn’t take much in these situations for soldiers to get trigger happy if they feel threatened. Indeed, we only have to look at Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland. It is a relief, so far, the Russian soldiers have just stood by.


Nuclear Weapons

I understand for many people this re-ignites the debate on the UK holding nuclear weapons. Especially with Putin stating he has put his on “high alert”. The argument for nuclear weapons seems simple and logical…they are required to stop a madman like Putin from threatening you. However, how do you deal with a madman? The point of nuclear weapons is the agreement of mutually assured destruction if one state uses them. It becomes kind of self-defeating. If they are deployed, each country is agreeing to annihilate each other. Worse, Russia has such a huge landmass, that someone like Putin may think the gamble is worth it…the UK would be destroyed, and we know we will be taken out in the fallout from the destruction of Faslane, but Putin might think enough of Russia would survive. So, the weapons are not keeping us safe.

I also find there is a paradox that everyone agrees chemical weapons is illegal and that we shouldn’t hold them. I put this to a commander who was arguing for the deterrent. He stated that chemical weapons had proven to be wrong, immoral and not the right weapon anyway. I do not understand why one weapon of mass destruction is wrong but another is ok, even though both are as deadly in the hands of a madman.

Community Support

Well done to Bryce Cunningham of Mossgiel Farm and Shirley Wallace of Saxen Furniture for coordinating aid to Poland. The community rally round was amazing. It was really frustrating that the lorries were held up because of the paperwork created by Brexit. I have tried to assist by raising matters in the chamber and it is clearly better coordination and approach is needed to help the air get through quicker.

The UK Government has been found wanting with their support for refugees as well. It is the only country in the EU not to have waived visa requirements for Ukrainians and so far, have only processed 50 visas from 10,000 applications. Shameful.

Broken Foot

I suffered a broken foot when playing 5 asides, leading me to get an operation on my foot as well. Thanks to those who took great care of me. There is no doubt that Westminster is not a disabled-friendly place so I am looking forward to getting a moonboot so I can get about easier. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for the first modern wheelchair user, Anne Begg MP, back in 1997.

28th February 2022: A Week in Parliamenet

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Ukraine

My hopes that Putin would step away from the brink has sadly passed. We now have a war on European soil. The courage of the Ukrainian population and armed forces has been incredible. It seems the invasion hasn’t gone as smoothly as Putin expected. He now knows Ukraine will not bow down. If the Russian aspiration is long term occupation of Ukraine, then it will also seem there will be ongoing resistance from the Ukrainian population. This means a war of attrition, similar to the Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, and it will be damaging for the Russian economy as well as the suffering caused by continued casualties.

Sanctions

It is quite clear the West, and the UK in particular were too slow to impose sanctions. Embarrassingly, when the UK initially announced “record sanctions”, it was only on three people who have already been sanctioned for years by the US. For seven years the SNP has been demanding action on the Russian “laundromat” schemes in the UK. I raised the Russian money at PMQs, and the fact that Boris Johnson and David Cameron had agreed to play tennis with a Russian connected to Putin, based on a £160k bid at a Tory fundraising evening. Ruth Davidson also had a lunch appointment won by the wife of a Russian banker for £20k.

We have Lebedev, son of a KGB agent, made a Lord by Johnson. We know the Tories have taken millions from Russian nationals, so their words are somewhat hollow on these matters.

No-Fly Zones

There has been talk of a no-fly zone. However, the reason NATO has not moved to this yet, is that the reality of introducing a no-fly zone, means you are committing to shooting down Russian aeroplanes. Russia would also be targeting, say, UK planes operating in that airspace which would inevitably mean UK planes having to take out anti-aircraft machinery on Russian soil. In short, a no-fly zone immediately becomes a wider war with Russia. This worst possible consequence may come to pass, but no one wants a full-scale war to be opened up right away.

Visas

Many constituents have contacted me to lobby for visas to be waived for Ukrainian Nationals. I fully support this. It was outrageous that a UK Government Minister advised that Ukrainians can apply to work here via the seasonal worker scheme. Ukrainians don’t need a visa to travel to the EU. Ireland has waived the visa requirements into Ireland, it is time for the UK to also act. I have submitted a question on this and written to Priti Patel.

Covid

Eventually, covid came to me – I suspect I caught it travelling back from Norway. I was not too unwell but did suffer headaches, tiredness and cold/flu symptoms. It seems crazy that in England I would be free to go about my daily business while positive and possibly pass it onto many others, who may suffer worse symptoms. I was really frustrated to have to miss the Stewarton torch parade so hopefully, I can participate in their next one. The online footage looked fantastic – well done to all involved.