A LOCAL MP has been awarded the Overall People's Choice MP award for work in the community including dementia friendly groups in Prestwick and Troon.

Dr Philippa Whitford, MP for Central Ayrshire, picked up the top public accolade at this year’s after a public vote at the Patchwork Foundation Awards.

The MP of the Year Awards give individuals and grassroots community organisations the opportunity to nominate their MP for an award as commendation for the hard work they do throughout the year, particularly in relation to their work with minority communities.

Dr Whitford has actively supported and worked with many community organisations across Central Ayrshire, including the Dementia Friendly groups in both Prestwick and Troon, and this year organised two constituency-wide Community Engagement Fairs to help foster partnerships between community groups and local business.

She has also spearheaded the campaign calling on the UK Government to introduce Separate Payments under Universal Credit to help prevent perpetrators of domestic abuse and coercion from controlling their partner’s finances, which can further isolate their victims and exacerbate the abuse.

Dr Whitford received her award at a ceremony in the grand setting of the Speaker’s House at the House of Commons on Wednesday evening.

Speaking after the ceremony, Dr Whitford said: “I am delighted and honoured to be awarded the Patchwork Foundation’s Overall People’s Choice MP of the Year Award. To receive any award is, of course, pleasing but to receive the People’s Choice Award, as voted by the public, is particularly rewarding.

“It is all too easy to get swept up in the vortex of Westminster so it is important to remember that it is ordinary people we serve and it is they who are most important. It is lovely to be recognised by those I represent.

“In many ways, being an MP is like being a doctor, where you need to diagnose the underlying issue that is causing problems for a constituent and provide support to those who find themselves in difficulty. My greatest achievements as an elected representative have undoubtedly been when I have won justice for a constituent, or achieved an outcome which has made someone’s life that little bit easier, and setting up community projects which have helped make a difference to individuals in need of support.