I'm sure there are many people in Britain who didn't have a clue where Kilmarnock is or had even heard of the town. Now it's firmly on the map since the MSM picked up on the story of the good folk of Kilmarnock's struggle with the town's biggest employer.
For those of you who don't know the details, Kilmarnock is where Johnnie Walker whisky is bottled and the name Johnnie Walker has been associated with the town since 1820. The drinks giant Diageo want to close down the plant and move the bottling to Fife. They say the redundancies would be offset by the creation of 400 jobs at its packaging plant in Fife.
Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in a march and rally organised by East Ayrshire Council, part of the alliance seeking to reverse the closure decision.
The First Minister Alex Salmond, along with Des Browne and Annabel Goldie attended the rally. Mr Salmond said, "This rally marks another step forward in the joint campaign to perduade Diageo of the substantial economic advantages in retaining their long established and hugely beneficial links with the communities of Scotland. Next month the campaign will present an alternative business case to retain this iconic brand in Ayrshire and to demand fairness for their workers across Scotland and Port Dundas in Glasgow."
Annabel Goldie stated, "Across communities, across political parties and across organisation the message is: Do not tarnish the legendary reputation of scotch whisky and do not abandon the legacy of generations of skilled and loyal employees who have made Diageo the hugely successful company it is today. Corporate success should never exclude corporate responsibility."
The people of Kilmarnock ought to hold their heads up high because they've shown that community spirit is not dead. Radio phone-ins have recorded complete support for their case and I wish them all the luck in the world.
Source: BBC
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