Ron Brown (Scottish politician)

Ron Brown (10 June 1940 – 27 June 2007) was a Scottish Labour politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Leith from 1979 to 1992.

Born in Edinburgh, Brown worked as a construction worker before entering politics. He gained a reputation as a left-wing firebrand, known for his outspoken views and unconventional behaviour within the House of Commons.

During his time in Parliament, Brown was a vocal advocate for socialist policies, nuclear disarmament, and Scottish independence. He frequently clashed with both the Conservative government and the leadership of his own party. He was a strong supporter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and other peace movements.

His parliamentary career was marked by several controversies, including incidents of disruptive behaviour and alleged financial impropriety. He was ultimately deselected as the Labour candidate for Leith in 1992. He lost the subsequent general election running as an independent socialist candidate.

After leaving Parliament, Brown remained politically active, continuing to advocate for his socialist beliefs and Scottish independence. He died in Edinburgh in 2007.