About Me

It is a privilege to be the SNP candidate for Glenrothes & Central Fife, in the upcoming General Election on 12th December 2019.

It has been an honour to represent the area which has been my home for over 30 years in the UK Parliament since 2015.  I was brought up in Coatbridge and studied at Glasgow University where I met Fiona, a medical student from Glenrothes. After we got engaged I moved to Glenrothes in 1983 and the following year we got married. Fiona has now been a GP in the area for over 25 years as well as being one of Fife’s longest serving councillors. 

I joined the SNP in 1987 because I believed, as I still do, that Scotland will be a better place for all of us when decisions about Scotland are taken by the people who live here. For 23 years I represented part of my present constituency as a Councillor. I had the privilege to serve as the council’s SNP Group Leader from 2007 until 2015, including five years as Leader of the Council.

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Following the 2017 snap General Election, I was made SNP Spokesperson on Europe and I have sat on the Exiting the European Union Committee. Overall, between June 2017 and November 2019, I have attended 87 out of 101 committee meetings.

Before being elected as MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, I worked in public sector finance alongside my work as a local Councillor.  I previously trained as a physics teacher before qualifying as an accountant.  I also enjoy a game of bowls or a night at the local folk club, with or without my fiddle, when I get the chance.

I would be honoured to have the opportunity to continue to represent our constituency in the UK Parliament to ensure that Scotland's voice is protected and to make sure that we are not dragged out of the European Union against our will.