Auchinleck Talbot Scottish Cup Winners 2022
/I headed to Rugby Park for my final football match of the season and was delighted to see Talbot win the Junior Cup for an astonishing 14th time - three in a row! It is an incredible record especially when there are so many teams from larger towns and with bigger budgets.
Newmilns Cattle Show/Community Events
/I attended the Newmilns show and felt it was a larger crowd than previously which was great to see. The fantastic weather probably helped, as much as the post covid desire for normality. The efforts that go into organising an agricultural show are incredible, so well done to all involved. It is great seeing the work that goes on and how volunteers step up to the mark.
The same weekend had Galston Boys and Girls football tournament at Portland Park, Galston, which again sees a huge number of volunteers give up their entire weekend. With a fete on at Shortlees, it demonstrates an amazing variety of events. I will always try and attend community events so if you have something on, please let my office know.
Press Release: War Graves Week 2022 (21st - 28th May)
/Alan Brown MP asks constituents to embrace War Graves Week
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun is calling on constituents to come together and discover the World War heritage on their doorstep by embracing War Graves Week, 21 May to 28 May – an initiative from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
War Graves Week will encourage local residents to learn about the stories of those commemorated by the CWGC in their constituency and the skills, dedication and expertise of those CWGC staff who work to keep their memory alive.
Constituents keen to learn more about the remarkable stories of the men and women of the Commonwealth forces that died in the First and Second World Wars who are buried in their community can visit www.CWGC.org and visit the cemeteries in person. War Graves Week provides a unique chance for the people of the constituency to reconnect with their local history.
At CWGC.org, Kilmarnock and Loudoun residents can learn about the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times project – the focus of this year’s War Graves Week. Alongside the front-line armed forces, the CWGC will be celebrating the value those who served during the World Wars brought to key sectors such as healthcare, logistics, infrastructure and communications, and the parallels with today’s global Britain which they helped to create.
Commenting, Mr Brown said:
“I’d encourage all my constituents to embrace War Graves Week. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with our local history and learn about the courageous ordinary people from our constituency who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live the way we do today.
“Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Kilmarnock and Loudoun is a human story waiting to be discovered and War Graves Week is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
“This is a fantastic campaign that gives us a chance to reflect on those who gave everything. It is imperative we always remember those who fought and gave everything for our freedom. If you can, please get involved.”
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) honours and cares for the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten. Funded by six Member Governments, CWGC’s work began with building, and now maintaining, cemeteries at 23,000 locations all over the world.
Press Release: Hydro Powered Countries Paying Less to Heat Their Homes
/HYDRO POWERED COUNTRIES PAYING LESS TO HEAT THEIR HOMES
Countries that are powered by clean, renewable energy sources are paying far less to heat their homes, according to a new report.
Analysis conducted by the Australian Energy Council found that countries like Canada and Norway – who are dominated by hydroelectrical plants - have the lowest household electricity prices in the OECD.
To date, Canada obtains most of its electricity from hydro (60%), while Norway generates almost all (93%) of its needs from hydroelectricity plants.
The report comes as the UK’s Energy Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, conceded that the government’s nuclear plan could increase household energy bills in the near future.
The SNP has called on the UK government to use the inflated oil and gas prices to invest in a Track 1 carbon capture site in the North East of Scotland, and to match the Scottish Government’s £500 million Just Transition investment.
Commenting, the SNP’s Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change Alan Brown MP said:
“The SNP has long held the view that the future of Scotland’s energy must come from clean, renewable sources.
“Sadly though, the outdated Westminster system that Scotland is currently chained too continues to take a different stance on the issue – investing in nuclear energy rather than things like wind which is the cheapest form of power.
“This latest analysis from the Australian Energy Council shows that those who live in countries dominated by hydroelectrical plants are paying far less in heating costs, thus saving crucial income during the cost of living crisis.
“We know that the Treasury are reaping the rewards of inflated oil and gas prices, with £13.6 billion of additional income generated from Scotland’s resources, and a further £6 billion earned from the Emissions Trading Scheme.
“Therefore it is crucial that this money is reinvested into the Scottish Cluster if we are to meet our emissions reduction milestones, and for a just transition to net zero – not just for Scotland, but across the UK.
“Not only that, the UK government must also progress pumped hydro which can be built at a fraction of the cost. SSE have all the permissions in place and are ready to build a new pumped storage hydro scheme at Corie Glas in the Highlands. All that is required is an agreement on a minimum price of electricity.
“It is high time the UK government finally got their act together and resolved all of these issues. There can be no more delays.”
WASPI
/It was great to meet with Frances and Lynne from Ayrshire WASPI and discuss how I can work with them as part of my Pensions Spokesperson Role.
I am delighted to reinstate my support for the 1950s Women to get the compensation they are due from the UK Government.
I look forward continuing to work with WASPI and fighting this injustice.
The Big Plastic Count 2022
/Calling schools, community groups, businesses and households across Kilmarnock and Loudoun...
I’ve signed up to take part in the #BigPlasticCount – the UK’s biggest ever investigation into household plastic waste.
The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country in the world – only the US is worse. If things carry on as they are, the amount of plastic waste produced around the world is set to double by 2040.
It is a campaign I welcome as Shadow Spokesperson for Energy and Climate change.
At the moment, there’s nowhere near enough evidence to show how much plastic leaves UK households.
Join me for The Big Plastic Count to tally your bottles, packets and other plastic bits for just one week: 16-22 May 2022.
This will count towards a national data set which will help us find out how much plastic waste is really leaving UK homes and what happens to it. The more people that take part, the more new evidence we can build.
You can take part as a household or school classes can join up.
Nurses' Day 2022
/Yesterday (Thursday 12th May 2022), was #NursesDay and I am proud to support Royal College of Nursing in showcasing the #BestofNursing.
Nurses across the country have played an incredible part in looking after us all when we've needed it most - especially over the last two years.
Thank you for everything you do.
Local Council Election 2022
/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 Gala Day
/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.
It was also great to see new SNP councillor colleagues Graham Barton and Neale Ingram out and about after their successful election.
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 F.C.
/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!
Virtual Surgery: Friday 13th May 2022
/Details of my Virtual Surgery
