Ronnie Cowan

The son of Scotland goalkeeper Jimmy Cowan, Ronnie Cowan founded a company providing business with IT solutions. In parliament, he has taken a particular interest in drugs policy, arguing in favour of reforms. Cowan wrote that “when it comes to recreational drugs we are still running up against a brick wall,” and went on to assert that the whole mindset around drugs needed to change. He is vice-chair of the drug policy reform APPG, and argues that drug policy should be a health issue not a criminal one. Along with 80 other MPs, he delivered a petition of 570,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street calling for new guidance for medical cannabis, citing high-profile medical cases such as Alfie Dingley. Cowan voted to remain in 2016 along with 64 per cent of his constituents. Previously a member of the transport committee, since 2015, he has been on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Cowan received media attention in November 2020 for writing an article quipping that “the second chamber should be put in the recycling bin”, criticising the fact that 40 per cent of peers live in London and the South East.