Brown gets SNP nod to fight for Holyrood
SNP party members have chosen councillor Siobhian Brown to fight for the Ayr seat in May’s Scottish Parliament election.
The Ayr West politician will now battle current Conservative MSP John Scott who has represented the constituency for 20 years.
Prominent East Ayrshire councillor Elena Whitham has been selected as the SNP candidate for neighbouring Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, which is currently held by Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman who is standing down at the next ballot.
Councillor Whitham will face Conservative choice Sharon Dowey, a supermarket operations manager originally from Maybole and the wife of South Ayrshire Tory Group leader Martin Dowey.
Potential MSPs from other parties running for Holyrood have not been announced yet.
Councillor Brown emerged as the SNP party favourite for Ayr – beating a number of hopefuls including Sunday National editor Richard Walker.
The mum- of- three, 48, of Alloway, said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by SNP members to be the candidate for the Ayr seat for the Holyrood elections next year.
“We are living in very uncertain times, with Covid and economic uncertainty ahead with the possibility of a very different election next year. I would be truly honoured and it would be a privilege to represent the people of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon as I am passionate about making a positive impact to our area.”
As East Ayrshire depute council leader, Newmilns Councillor Whitham said she understands the issues affecting local people and businesses.
The mum- of- two, 46, who described it as an honour to be a candidate, said: “Ayrshire is on the cusp of new beginnings with over £ 250 million worth of public investment arriving just as we need it most with the imminent signing of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
“It will be critical to ensure that this money unlocks private investment whilst also enabling and driving an economy rooted in inclusive growth. I want the folk of Patna and Ballantrae to benefit just as much as those in the bigger towns. To truly restore our economy, we need to put wellbeing at its centre and that means not only a focus on manufacturing but unlocking the rural economy and driving forward innovation in green technologies. It is time to reawaken the sleeping Ayrshire giant.”
Mrs Dowey, 50, would like to see changes for the better in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.
The mum- of- three, of Ayr, calls for poor housing to be knocked down and rebuilt and upgrades on the A70 and A77.
She said: “I have a bond with Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley. I was born and grew up there.
“If elected I would be there to represent everybody, find out what their issues are and solve them.”
Commenting on the roads, she said: “Businesses can grow and build if we improve the infrastructure such as the A77.
“Parts of the A77 are like a third world road and there are too many accidents. The A70 to Cumnock needs improvement.”
Lack of decent homes is another problem according to Sharon.
She said this week: “Some of the homes in the villages are in desperate need of being updated Some are empty.
Ans she concluded: “They need to be knocked down and rebuilt.”
I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by SNP members