Political career
Wilson became a South Ayrshire Councillor in the 2012 local elections for the ward of Ayr East. [4] She was elected to the British Parliament in the 2015 general election. [5] [6]
From June 2015 until August 2016,she was one of 125 MPs who employed a member of their family:employing her son Kieran as a caseworker/personal assistant. [7] [8] From 15 September 2016,she had employed her daughter Shannon as a caseworker/personal assistant,which was allowed under IPSA rules up until the election in June 2017. [9]
From the period of 1 June 2015 to 31 May 2016,the statement,Wilson claimed a total of £94,545.41 in public expenses,which was the 7th highest amount of any MP in the United Kingdom that year. [10]
In 2016,Wilson was appointed as disabilities spokesperson for the SNP. [2] During Wilson's time on the Welfare Reform and Work Bill she argued against the benefit cap,benefit sanctions and the removal of poverty targets. [11] Wilson campaigned in favour of the United Kingdom remaining a member of the European Union at the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum,then later voted against the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill 2017. [12]
During her time in office,Wilson never voted against her party and attended 277 of 467 votes (59.3%) –well below average amongst MPs. [13] [14]
She stood for re-election at the 2017 UK general election,but lost to Conservative Bill Grant on a 17.5% swing,with Grant overturning Wilson's 15,137 vote lead over the Conservatives to gain the constituency with a 2,774 vote majority. [15]
On 27 March 2021,Wilson announced that she had left the SNP,and had joined the Alba Party,at the party's campaign launch for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. [1] Wilson was the second-placed candidate on the party list for the South Scotland region,though she was unsuccessful,as were the other Alba candidates in that election.
She stood in Ayr,Carrick and Cumnock at the 2024 general election,receiving 1.2% of the vote.
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