ONE local MP claims that the EU referendum has come as a result of 'xenophobia and mistruths' from the Tories.

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Alan Brown made the claims and he reckons that a 'Remain' vote will be better for business.

Mr Brown said: “This referendum has been borne out of internal Conservative party squabbling and it has descended into a discourse coloured by xenophobia and media-perpetuated mistruths. Whilst the EU is not perfect, there is much to champion. I fully respect the worker protection laws the EU has helped to bring about such as maternity and paternity rights, limits on how many hours you are forced to work and adequate paid holidays. There are many EU environmental directives that have made a substantial difference to our environment such as air and water quality laws. I know from my personal work experience that if it was not for the EU regulations, we would still be putting raw sewage directly onto Ayr beach and swimming in it. EU directives forced that to change only as recently as the year 2000. So I know first-hand, it took EU rules to bring our bathing beaches up to a suitable quality."

He added: "In order to keep trading with the 500 million population of the EU without band or tariffs imposed on our exported goods, then we would still be required to sign up to the same rules of freedom of movement and non-discrimination against other European citizens . Therefore, there is no advantage of being outside the EU subjected to the same rules without being part of the negotiating committee We also must consider Scotland’s farmers, given money not as a subsidy to them, but to keep food prices down for us and allow their products to compete with those outside the EU. It’s a fact they get a bad deal out of the EU because of the deal negotiated by London politicians as they prioritised other matters. Our whole rural economy is based on farming and the associated businesses in our towns they support. Do you really believe they will receive the same support from Westminster? Answers on a postcard please. I am not filled with confidence when the Farming Minister at Westminster could not answer my direct question on the matter, answering 'we’ll see in due course'."

The local MP added: "From my personal perspective, as someone who wants more powers for Scotland, there is a clear argument more powers and sovereignty will come back to the UK and Scotland in the event of a Brexit. However, as above the EU will retain the same rules if you want to be part of the trading club, and when UKIP argue they will give more powers to the Scottish Parliament then forgive me for being cynical.

"One thing is for sure. There will not be Armageddon, there will not be complete job loss if we leave the EU. There will not be riches galore and new untold powers if we stay in. For my reasons above though I am utterly convinced on balance, staying within the EU is better for business, the environment and workers’ rights.”