Alan Brown (Scottish politician)
Alan Brown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| SNP Spokesperson on Transport, Infrastructure and Energy | |
| Assumed office 20 June 2017 | |
| Leader | Ian Blackford |
| Preceded by | Drew Hendry |
| Member of Parliament for Kilmarnock and Loudoun | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Cathy Jamieson |
| Majority | 6,269 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 August 1970 Newmilns, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Website | Official website |
Alan Brown MP (born 12 August 1970) is a Scottish politician and the Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, since gaining the seat in the 2015 general election.[1] In 2017, Brown was appointed as the SNP Westminster spokesperson on Transports, Infrastructure and Energy.[2]
Background and Education
Brown was born on 12 August 1970 to parents Eric and Irene in Kilmarnock; Brown has lived there all his life.[3] He attended his local primary school and Loudoun Academy. He subsequently attended Glasgow University where he graduated with an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering.[4] He worked, both in the public and private sectors, as a Civil engineer.[4] He is a lifelong supporter of Kilmarnock Football Club.
Political career
Councillor
He was first elected as a SNP councillor in the East Ayrshire Council election, 2007 for the Irvine Valley ward, topping the poll with 1,497 first preferences. He was re-elected in the East Ayrshire Council election, 2012, taking the second seat on this occasion with 1,252 first preferences but again exceeding the quota. A senior figure in the SNP delegation he has held positions Housing and Strategic Planning & Resources.[5]
Member of Parliament
Brown was selected to contest the Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency for the Scottish National Party at the 2015 general election and received 30,000 votes (a 55.7% share); defeating the sitting Labour MP, Cathy Jamieson. The first Scottish seat to declared on election night, the seat was the first of fifty SNP net gains made at that year's general election.[6] He made his maiden speech on 22 June, in which he quoted the poem Is There for Honest Poverty by Robert Burns.[7][8]
In 2016, Brown was one of 58 Scottish MPs who voted against the renewal of the UK's Trident nuclear programme. He claimed the programme had not served as a deterrent and that each job created through it cost the UK taxpayer £6.5 million.[9][10]
Brown has revealed that in Parliament, Hansard reporters often ask him to provide written ‘translations’ of his questions to the Commons due to his thick Ayrshire accent being difficult to understand. Even so, he has said he would not alter his accent because his constituents “know me locally and know how I talk, they would actually question what was happening if my accent changed when I came down to Westminster”.[11][12][13][14]
General election, 2017
Despite the SNP losing seats and support at the 2017 general election, Brown was re-elected as MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun with a majority of 6,269 votes.[15]
SNP front bench appointment
On 20 June 2017, Brown was appointed to the SNP Westminster front bench team as the SNP spokesperson on Transport, Infrastructure and Energy.[2]
Personal life
Brown is married and has two sons.[4]
References
- ^ "Kilmarnock & Loudoun Parliamentary constituency". Election 2015 Results. BBC. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ a b https://www.facebook.com/AlanBrownSNP/posts/1159572314148611
- ^ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/alan-brown-as-snp-mp-for-kilmarnock-loudoun#/story
- ^ a b c Burns, Janice (1 June 2015). "Meet your new Scottish MPs: #17 Alan Brown, Kilmarnock and Loudoun". The National. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ Brown, Alan. "Cllr Alan Brown". SNP Party Website. SNP. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kilmarnock and Loudoun". BBC Election website. BBC. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Local MP makes maiden speech at Westminster". Cumnock Chronicle. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "Education and Adoption Bill - Hansard". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Russell, Ian (20 July 2016). "MP Alan Brown says decision to renew Trident was "extremely disappointing"". dailyrecord. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Association, Press (19 July 2016). "How your MP voted on Trident". the Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "Scottish MP Alan Brown says ministers don't understand his thick accent". Sky News. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "SNP MP Alan Brown claims Scots accent confuses parliament". TotalPolitics.com. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "SNP MP reveals struggle to be understood in Parliament". Holyrood Magazine. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ PoliticsHome.com (3 April 2017). "SNP MP reveals struggle to be understood in Parliament". PoliticsHome.com. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/kilmarnock-loudoun-re-elects-alan-10590735
