Robert Brown
- Name:
- Robert Brown
- Party:
- Scottish Liberal Democrat Party
- Constituency:
- Glasgow Rutherglen
- Election result May 2003:
- 4491 votes (19.06%), second of five candidates
Elected as MSP from Glasgow region
- Election literature available in Aspect:
-
- Election policy statement:
- A local candidate with a national reputation...
Dear friend,
Once again, I look for your support in the Scottish elections. I have been hugely impressed with the work done by local voluntary groups and businesses to improve our local community.
I believe the Lib Dems have made the difference for older people, for students and teachers, and for the environment.
Best wishes,
Robert Brown
Dear friend,
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the first Scottish Parliament.
I have greatly enjoyed having the chance to meet all sorts of people in the caring professions and the voluntary sector who do so much to help. I have been able to take up many of their ideas in Parliament.
The support I have had from local people in my home area of Rutherglen and Cambuslang, King's Park and Toryglen, has been fantastic.
I believe the part played by the Liberal Democrats in the Parliament has made a huge difference to Scotland. I hope you will support us again.
All good wishes,
Robert E Brown
Making the Difference...
for Older People...
Liberal Democrats have made personal care free for elderly people, and introduced the free bus pass.
for Nurses and Patients...
We have recruited 800 extra nurses, insisted on tackling hospital-acquired infections, and launched a Health Improvement Fund which provides free fruit for children and funds breakfast clubs.
for Children and Teachers...
Every three and four year old is now entitled to nursery education; we have reformed teachers' pay and conditions, and invested in school buildings and books.
on Crime and Safety...
We now have the highest-ever number of police in Scotland, under Liberal Democrat Justice Minister Jim Wallace... and crime clear-up rates are twice as good as in England!
"Jim Wallace and the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament have made a real difference for the people of Scotland. More Liberal Democrat MSPs this time can do even more"
Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats
The Best Person for the job is... Robert Brown
Green Action:
Most people agree the environment in important, but the Liberal Democrat are by far the 'greenest' of the major political parties.
We want to give people the chance to do their bit for the environment. That's why Liberal Democrat Environment Minister Ross Finnie in setting tough targets for Councils to make sure that 25% of Scotland's waste is recycled. We will insist on Councils providing kerbside collection for paper, glass and plastics.
Making the Difference on Health
- Promoting good health with free eye and dental check-ups.
- Recruiting more nurses and doctors to ensure top-class medical care.
- An action plan to tackle hospital-acquired infections and free up more hospital beds.
- A new £20 million Health Promotion Fund and a range of projects to reduce ill-health.
Better health makes people more independent and saves money in the longer term.
Making Scotland Safer
Youth crime costs £700million a year. But locking up more offenders isn't the real answer. Scotland already has one of the highest prison populations in Western Europe. We need to divert them away from crime - especially the repeat offenders who do most of the damage.
- New resources and projects to help the Courts and Children's Panels cut crime.
- Crack down on knife crimes and stop attacks on fire engines, buses and other public services.
- Pilot a system of Youth Justice Action Officers to make sure that persistent offenders are dealt with speedily and effectively.
- Keep police numbers at highest-ever levels, appointing more community officers.
Education for Life
Giving young people the best start in life is key to the future. Scottish Liberal Democrats will extend the benefits of nursery school to a full-time transition year, with primary school starting a year later.
We will give children more access to drama, art and music - including free music lessons. Teenagers should have the chance to take courses at FE colleges from age 14. We will support closer links between Colleges and Universities and local businesses and tackle skills shortages.
Better Transport Choices for All
Congested roads and unreliable public transport mean there is a lot to do to improve transport.
Robert Brown has campaigned successfully for the Glasgow Airport rail link, now to be built by about 2006. But Robert also wants to see more Park and Ride facilities, commitment to a new tram or light rail system in Glasgow and a transformation of the Glasgow suburban railways.
Robert has also called for an action plan to expand regular small buses into remoter housing schemes like the top of Fernhill and Cathkin.
The Liberal Democrats have played a leading role in the Scottish Executive - abolishing student tuition fees, making personal care free for elderly people, and opening up the government for everyone.
Robert Brown - a hardworking and experienced campaigner for Rutherglen
- ABOLITION OF TUITION FEES
- GRANTS REINTRODUCED
- FREE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
- TEACHERS PAY DEAL
- FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
- LAND REFORM
- HOUSING STOCK TRANSFER...
THE DIFFERENCE.
"Jim Wallace and the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament have made a real difference for the people of Scotland."
Charles Kennedy
Your vote can make the difference...
For Scotland's Elderly
Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, Scotland's elderly no longer have to pay for their personal care. Under Labour in the rest of the UK they still do.
The new warm homes initiative and free off-peak travel are improving the lives of Scotland's pensioners.
For Scotland's Students
Liberal Democrats have scrapped tuition fees and restored grants for Scottish students studying in Scotland.
We will oppose any plans to introduce "top-up" fees being proposed by the Labour Government in Westminster.
In Tackling Crime
Jim Wallace has increased police numbers to record levels to tackle crime. Whilst others talk tough on crime, Scottish Liberal Democrats will take effective action that actually deal with the problem of crime in our communities.
Better Health for All
Liberal Democrats have insisted on the drive for health promotion. We have already started to introduce radical changes to keep Scots healthy and make sure people get treated more quickly. Liberal Democrats will abolish charges for eye and dental check-ups.
Protect the Environment, create jobs
With ambitious new targets for recycling and renewable energy set by the Liberal Democrats, Scotland is now working to become amongst the best in Europe.
Liberal Democrats will develop jobs in environmental industries like renewable energy, where Scotland can lead the world.
Better Schools
Liberal Democrats in Government in Scotland have guaranteed a nursery place for every 3 & 4 year old child, spent record amounts on school books and equipment, started to tackle the backlog of school repairs and ensured a fair pay deal for our teachers.
Robert Brown and the Liberal Democrats have long been regarded as the only people who can beat Labour in Rutherglen. The Tories and the SNP never win here.
Remember Robert Brown beat Labour 4 times as a Councillor. The Liberal Democrats are the only party except Labour to hold a seat here - for over 20 years.
Jim Wallace says:
"Robert Brown has made his mark on the Scottish Parliament. He is highly regarded and a major asset to the Liberal Democrat team."
Scottish Liberal Democrats - Leading for You in the Scottish Executive
- Personal details used in election:
- Robert Brown was elected as Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow in 1999. He was previously Liberal Democrat leader on Glasgow District Council. Robert is his Party's Policy Convener, and has been responsible for the Liberal Democrat programme at recent elections. He is spokesman on Communities and Housing.
Robert was a long-serving chair of the local Citizens' Advice Bureau and has close links with many organisations in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. He lives with his family in Burnside.
"I have known Robert for many years and am aware of the huge amount of time and energy he has put into the local area.
I am confident that he will take the issues, important to local people, to the highest levels of Scottish government."
Jim Wallace
Robert Brown was elected to the first Scottish Parliament in 1999 - one of 17 Liberal Democrats who have made a major difference for Scotland.
A National Reputation -
- Scottish Liberal Democrat Policy Convener, in charge of the Party's manifesto in 1999 and 2003.
- A respected housing campaigner, and Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Social Justice and communities.
- Boosted the Liberal Democrat vote in six elections in Rutherglen.
A Local Campaigner -
- First Liberal to be elected in Glasgow, and four times Council winner against Labour.
- Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Glasgow District Council 1977-92.
- Former Chair of Rutherglen and Cambuslang Citizens' Advice Bureau.
- Further information:
-
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/robert_brown/