Allan Dorans MP
MP ON ‘LOST VILLAGES’ AND THE WASPI FIGHT FOR PENSION JUSTICE
MANY of you will be aware that I have long been an advocate for the Women Against State Pension Injustice (and Inequality) (WASPI) campaign.
in 2015, as a South Ayrshire councillor, I proposed two motions in support of the campaign.
On being elected as the MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock in 2019, I made a particular point of including this issue in my maiden speech in the House of Commons. Since then I have continued to support the campaign in Parliament, including making references to this injustice wherever possible in speeches and attending WASPI events in Parliament and locally.
In 2022 I was delighted and proud to be presented with a WASPI Hero award.
The long awaited WASPI ombudsman’s report, published on March 21, is a major development in recognising the unfair treatment of women born in the 1950s in respect of pensions.
However, its recommendation for compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 comes nowhere close to what those affected have lost. Alongside my SNP colleagues, I will continue to fight for fair and just compensation for the 3.8 million women who have been affected by this great injustice.
Meanwhile, I have followed the progress of the Lost Villages of East Ayrshire project with great interest, so I was pleased to find time to visit the exhibition at the Baird Institute in Cumnock recently.
The exhibition documents the stories of the miners and their families living in the miners’ rows and mining villages in East Ayrshire, including Glenbuck, Benquhat, Leathanhill and other proud communities which once played such a hugely important role in our heritage and culture, but which sadly no longer exist.
I believe that preserving their memories and experiences is crucial for future generations.
I was also able to meet with Dr
Yvonne McFadden and Professor Arthur McIvor, joint authors of the authoritative book Memory, Mining and Heritage, Voices from Ayrshire Communities.
I was fortunate enough to be presented with a copy of the book, which is highly recommended.
This was also a great chance to catch up with the leader of East Ayrshire Council, Dougie Reid, and councillors Jim McMahon, William Lennox and Drew Filson, and extend my thanks to East Ayrshire Leisure for their work in
organising and supporting this exhibition, which runs until May 4: admission is free and it is well worth a visit.
When looking for a family day out it’s often all too easy to look further afield, forgetting we are well catered for locally with such facilities as the grounds and attractions at
Dumfries House, Craigengillan Estate, the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, or the various local garden centres.
I would encourage any of you contemplating a day out to consider supporting local businesses and enjoying what is on our very beautiful doorstep.