Former Scottish Secretary Des Browne, Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, said:

“We all want Diageo to take a message from this march and rally today.

“It is a united message - from the workers of Kilmarnock, Hurlford and Glasgow, from the Trade Unions and from politicians of ALL parties who stand united.

“But most of all - it is a message from the people of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and Scotland who have shown their support here today.

“That message is: You have got it wrong. You must understand that. You must do the right thing. You must agree an alternative plan that respects your workers and allows them to keep their jobs.

“Your company’s greatest asset is its people, its loyal and dedicated workforce. You seem to have forgotten that you don’t own Johnnie Walker. The people of Kilmarnock do. He is one of us.

“If you are in any doubt, look at this assembled crowd.

“Tens of thousands of people, employees, their families, their friends and those who stand in solidarity with them.

“We are marching today because of our history, but we are marching for our future and the future of our community.

“We have been campaigning together every hour of every day since the 1st of July.  Today, we come together in a march and rally, but tomorrow the fight will continue.

“I have never underestimated how difficult it will be to get Diageo to change their mind.  I will never promise anything that I cannot deliver. But, Diageo have said to me, to East Ayrshire Council, to Willie Coffey, to Jim Murphy and to Alex Salmond that they will listen, that they will consider alternatives and that they will give us a fair hearing.

“They must keep their word.

“And it is essential that we get a coherent and comprehensive alternative plan to them as soon as possible and that plan needs to be agreed with the workers and the Trade Unions. 

“The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise must produce a workable, financially sound alternative to Diageo’s closure plans. They have promised to do just that and we are all 100% behind them.
 
“Our strength is our unity. A unity that transcends political barriers. A unity that must be reflected in the proposal that we put to Diageo. If we can do all of that – present an alternative that is credible, sensible and achievable with the support of everybody involved in this campaign, then we have a chance to convince the Company to do the right thing.

“None of us here can promise to change the mind of the Company. But, we can promise never to cease trying, never to cease campaigning, never to cease fighting.

“Like the man who is the emblem of our campaign, we can promise always to stride ahead and that, together, continue to speak up for the town of Kilmarnock and its proud people.”