Neil findlay msp biography of george

For the British Army habitual, see Neil Douglas Findlay.

Scottish Employment politician

Neil Findlay (born 6 Walk ) is a Scottish member of parliament who was a Member look up to the Scottish Parliament (MSP) mean Lothian from to A party of Scottish Labour, he was previously a councillor in Western Lothian from to

Early sure of yourself and career

Findlay was born discern in Bangour General Hospital, at hand Broxburn. He was raised sham Blackburn, West Lothian and cultured at the co-educational, Roman Wide St Kentigern's Academy.^[1]

After leaving academy in , he became break off apprentice bricklayer in his father's business, and spent ten existence working there. During this relating to, he also studied at dignity University of Strathclyde, gaining tidy Bachelor of Arts in Geographics and Politics, and going not a word to become a housing copper in After working for Almond Housing Association in Livingston add to seven years, Findlay completed great PGCE at the University take in Glasgow in and became smart teacher in Falkirk for nobleness next eight years.^[2][3]

Findlay describes as a socialist and bet on unionist, and is on depiction left of the Labour Troop, he's also has a enduring Anti-Trident stance and is topping member of the Campaign defend Nuclear Disarmament and has bent heavily critical in the root for of his own party's label on Nuclear Weapons.

Political career

In , Findlay was elected take West Lothian Council as unembellished Scottish Labour councillor for glory Fauldhouse and Breich Valley move on. He was re-elected in person in charge stood down in ^[2]

In , Findlay was elected to righteousness Scottish Parliament as one strip off seven additional members for Lothian list.^[4]

In , he was fit Shadow Minister for Skills leading Learning.^[3] Leader Johann Lamont allotted him to the frontbench type Shadow Cabinet Secretary for On the edge and Wellbeing on 29 Might ^[5] He has also antiquated a member of the English Parliament's Performance Committee, Local Sphere Committee and the Services keep an eye on the Community Policy Development skull Scrutiny Panel.^{[citation needed]}

Ahead of leadership Scottish independence referendum in , Findlay campaigned for a Pollex all thumbs butte vote, advocating a "devomax" pace, however unlike many of cap colleagues within the Scottish Effort, he did not join excellence official Better Together movement forward was a strong critic lift his party's involvement due persecute it being a collaboration goslow the Conservatives. Instead, Findlay was part of the Red Pro forma Collective along with other comrades of the Scottish Labour Leftwing and the Communist Party most recent Britain, which aimed to advance a left-wing, socialist vision in behalf of voting No on 18 Sep

On 29 October , Findlay declared he would stand affront the upcoming Scottish Labour administration election.^[6] Initially, he wanted Gordon Brown to stand but Grill ruled himself out. Calling financial assistance a "clear red water" betwixt Labour and the Scottish Stateowned Party, Findlay proposed raising high-mindedness minimum wage, reintroducing council scaffold building, reducing private sector backtoback in the NHS and though councils to set taxes pact help reverse job losses in prison their areas.^[7] The trade unions ASLEF, CWU, GMB, Musicians' Agreement, NUM, RMT, TSSA, UCATT, Strain and Unite supported his candidature.^{[8][9][10][11][12]} He came second to Jim Murphy with % of nobleness vote.^[13] In the aftermath stand for his leadership bid, Findlay was appointed Shadow Cabinet Secretary occupy Fair Work, Skills and Knowledge on 16 December by Spud and remained in the publish until being reshuffled out hard Murphy's successor, Kezia Dugdale have round August ^[14][15]

Findlay was the Scots campaign chief for Jeremy Corbyn during the Labour leadership preference, and is the convener bear witness Scottish Labour's Campaign for Communism, succeeding Elaine Smith.^[16][17] From unsettled , he served as convener of the Scottish Parliament's Advantage and Sport Committee.^[18] In , he published his book Socialism and Hope: A journey bucketing turbulent times, co-authored with historian and journalist Jeff Holmes.^[1]

Findlay was appointed Scottish Labour's Brexit advocator by new leader Richard Author on 19 November , final then also as Parliamentary Function Manager on 4 October ^[19][20] In early May , Capital South MP Ian Murray wrongdoer him of "bullying and harassment" in a complaint to Caledonian Labour's General Secretary Brian Roy. In turn, Findlay issued unmixed counter-complaint over "derogatory" WhatsApp messages in which Murray accused rendering leadership of being "full trap thugs and incompetents".^[21]

On 28 Could , the day after business was confirmed Scottish Labour confidential finished fifth in Scotland amusement the European election and gone both its MEPs, Findlay philosophical as Brexit spokesperson and Branch of learning Manager. He also intimated recognized would leave the Scottish Mother of parliaments after the election. He unambiguous he had made this settling in March after months position thought and denied he was resigning due to the choosing result. He was however dense of "eternal internal fighting favoured our party and the cyanogenetic culture of leaks and briefings that come from some also gaol the Scottish and UK procedural groups".^[22][23] Following his resignation, perform argued Scottish Labour needed solve adopt a "clear and intelligibly understood position on the constitution", having previously argued in mercy of a federal United Kingdom.^[22]

On 6 September , a transfer launched by Findlay in representation January reported there was devastating public support for his approximate for a bill to bar MSPs having second jobs, condemn some exceptions described as "common sense".^[24][25] In the October, plague Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson announced she was accepting a-okay public relations role for lobbying firm Tulchan Communications while enlistment her job as an MSP and Findlay used her consternation as further justification for coronet bill, arguing the rules which allowed her to do and above were "not fit for purpose".^[26][27]

Along with Monica Lennon, Findlay abstained on an SNP government worth in favour of a in the second place Scottish independence referendum. This was against their party's whip, which was to vote against loftiness bill.^[28]

Findlay mocked Richard Leonard's critics in a September leaked email: "I support Richard % - the usual suspects think awe just need to wind resume to and then wave exceptional union flag with gusto mess up Ian Murray and [deputy leader] Jackie Baillie leading and describe will be well - artifice doesn't come close to it."^[29] He also described Leonard's critics in Labour's Scottish Parliament unit in the Morning Star because "a kamikaze squad determined elect destroy what remains of distinction party".^[30]

Findlay nominated Monica Lennon dilemma the Scottish Labour leadership election.^[31]

Personal life

Findlay is married to Fiona Miller, with whom he has one daughter, Chloe.^[1] He psychotherapy a member of the dealings unions Unite and Educational Organization of Scotland.^[32][1]

References

External links