Councillor hungry for shot at Holyrood seat
An Ayr councillor has entered the battleground to try and become the first SNP candidate to oust veteran Conservative MSP John Scott.
Siobhian Brown, 48, hopes to be selected by the party to fight for the Ayr seat, which has been held by Mr Scott for two decades.
And if elected as an MSP the married mum- of- three wants to make changes at Scottish Parliament level, which would sort out problems in the town.
Councillor Brown would like to see legislation to force property owners maintain their buildings by cleaning gutters and so on.
She believes that could help prevent more disasters like the crumbling Station Hotel.
She said: “Buildings are neglected by their owners. Our towns are imploding.”
Originally from Australia, Councillor Brown, whose parents are from Ayrshire, moved to the area in 1999.
Commenting on what the Holyrood bid means to her, she said: “This is not just a “seat” to me.
“I live here, I work in the area, my kids go to school locally.
“I have a genuine passion for this constituency, a solid track record and well documented commitment to the area.”
The Ayr West politician added: “Regardless of anyone’s political preference, view on Brexit and independence, I would work hard for everyone in my constituency to the benefit of all in the area.”
Referring to the task of unseating Mr Scott in May’s Scottish election, she said: “He is a gentleman and I have respect for him.”
Before being elected to South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Brown worked as an office manager for a legal firm.
Now she is a part time case worker for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Allan Dorans.
The 2014 referendum sparked her involvement in politics and saw her rapid ascent to local power.
She recently gained a place among the top ruling councillors on the council’s Leadership Panel – responsible for the economy and tourism.
Commenting on her experience as a councillor, she said: “It has been an honour and it has been challenging.
“Some of the negativity gets to you. I didn’t know what I was getting into but the good overtakes the bad.”
Councillor Brown, who lives in Alloway, believes winning the Ayr seat would let her make a bigger difference to the region.
She said: “At local government level sometimes you can’t get things done.”
Improving Ayr’s bathing quality would be on her list and she is trying to stop the popular tourist spot becoming a no go zone for swimmers.
Councillor Brown said: “It is important to me we keep our beaches open.”
Expressing a passion for the environment, she would like to see takeaways using biodegradable food packaging.
She said: “If I get elected at Scottish Government level I would strive to make changes that would benefit the local community.”
Cllr Brown added: “I will always be passionate about Scotland being independent and in charge of its own destiny.”
SNP members have yet to decide who the Ayr candidate will be in the upcoming election.