Tavish Scott
Encyclopedia
Tavish Hamilton Scott MSP
(born 6 May 1966) is a Scottish
politician and MSP for Shetland
. He was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
from 2008 to 2011. He stepped down after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election, in which the Liberal Democrats were reduced to five seats, down from 16 in the previous parliament.
, Lerwick
, Shetland and holds a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Napier College, Edinburgh (now Napier University
). After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Jim Wallace
, then Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland
, and later as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats
. He then returned to Shetland and became a farmer and also a councillor on Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Lerwick Harbour Trust. He is married with three children.
for Shetland
in May 1999. He was also the first parliamentarian for the Shetland Islands as a distinct entity; up to that point there had only been a single UK parliamentary constituency for both Orkney and Shetland. He served as a Deputy Minister for Parliament in the Scottish Executive
from 2000 to 2001 in succession to his colleague Iain Smith, but resigned after refusing to support the Executive in a vote in the Parliament on a tie-up scheme for fishing.
In 2003, he returned to the Scottish Executive
as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. During his time there his department piloted the Local Governance (Scotland) Act, which changed the elections for local authorities in Scotland to a proportional representation
system. Following Nicol Stephen
's election as party leader and succession as Deputy First Minister of Scotland
in 2005, Scott was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Transport. He was re-elected with an increased majority in May 2007, and held the largest margin by percentage, 50.1%, of any MSP over their closest challenger.
After the resignation of his friend and former ministerial colleague Nicol Stephen
, Scott declared his candidacy
for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 7 July 2008 at Lerwick
harbour, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Vikings which is a tradition in Shetland called Up Helly Aa where Shetlanders celebrate their Viking heritage. On 26 August 2008, he was announced the winner of the leadership contest with 59% (1,450) of the votes.
Following what he described as a "disastrous" set of results for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Scottish elections in May 2011, Scott offered his resignation as leader (remaining a Member of the Scottish Parliament) . He claimed the poor showings were in part due to the coalition deal which saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives
after the United Kingdom general election, 2010.
Tavish Hamilton Scott MSP
(born 6 May 1966) is a Scottish
politician and MSP for Shetland
. He was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
from 2008 to 2011. He stepped down after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election, in which the Liberal Democrats were reduced to five seats, down from 16 in the previous parliament.
, Lerwick
, Shetland and holds a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Napier College, Edinburgh (now Napier University
). After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Jim Wallace
, then Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland
, and later as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats
. He then returned to Shetland and became a farmer and also a councillor on Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Lerwick Harbour Trust. He is married with three children.
for Shetland
in May 1999. He was also the first parliamentarian for the Shetland Islands as a distinct entity; up to that point there had only been a single UK parliamentary constituency for both Orkney and Shetland. He served as a Deputy Minister for Parliament in the Scottish Executive
from 2000 to 2001 in succession to his colleague Iain Smith, but resigned after refusing to support the Executive in a vote in the Parliament on a tie-up scheme for fishing.
In 2003, he returned to the Scottish Executive
as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. During his time there his department piloted the Local Governance (Scotland) Act, which changed the elections for local authorities in Scotland to a proportional representation
system. Following Nicol Stephen
's election as party leader and succession as Deputy First Minister of Scotland
in 2005, Scott was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Transport. He was re-elected with an increased majority in May 2007, and held the largest margin by percentage, 50.1%, of any MSP over their closest challenger.
After the resignation of his friend and former ministerial colleague Nicol Stephen
, Scott declared his candidacy
for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 7 July 2008 at Lerwick
harbour, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Vikings which is a tradition in Shetland called Up Helly Aa where Shetlanders celebrate their Viking heritage. On 26 August 2008, he was announced the winner of the leadership contest with 59% (1,450) of the votes.
Following what he described as a "disastrous" set of results for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Scottish elections in May 2011, Scott offered his resignation as leader (remaining a Member of the Scottish Parliament) . He claimed the poor showings were in part due to the coalition deal which saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives
after the United Kingdom general election, 2010.
Tavish Hamilton Scott MSP
(born 6 May 1966) is a Scottish
politician and MSP for Shetland
. He was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
from 2008 to 2011. He stepped down after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election, in which the Liberal Democrats were reduced to five seats, down from 16 in the previous parliament.
, Lerwick
, Shetland and holds a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Napier College, Edinburgh (now Napier University
). After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Jim Wallace
, then Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland
, and later as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats
. He then returned to Shetland and became a farmer and also a councillor on Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Lerwick Harbour Trust. He is married with three children.
for Shetland
in May 1999. He was also the first parliamentarian for the Shetland Islands as a distinct entity; up to that point there had only been a single UK parliamentary constituency for both Orkney and Shetland. He served as a Deputy Minister for Parliament in the Scottish Executive
from 2000 to 2001 in succession to his colleague Iain Smith, but resigned after refusing to support the Executive in a vote in the Parliament on a tie-up scheme for fishing.
In 2003, he returned to the Scottish Executive
as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. During his time there his department piloted the Local Governance (Scotland) Act, which changed the elections for local authorities in Scotland to a proportional representation
system. Following Nicol Stephen
's election as party leader and succession as Deputy First Minister of Scotland
in 2005, Scott was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Transport. He was re-elected with an increased majority in May 2007, and held the largest margin by percentage, 50.1%, of any MSP over their closest challenger.
After the resignation of his friend and former ministerial colleague Nicol Stephen
, Scott declared his candidacy
for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 7 July 2008 at Lerwick
harbour, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Vikings which is a tradition in Shetland called Up Helly Aa where Shetlanders celebrate their Viking heritage. On 26 August 2008, he was announced the winner of the leadership contest with 59% (1,450) of the votes.
Following what he described as a "disastrous" set of results for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Scottish elections in May 2011, Scott offered his resignation as leader (remaining a Member of the Scottish Parliament) . He claimed the poor showings were in part due to the coalition deal which saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives
after the United Kingdom general election, 2010.
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
(born 6 May 1966) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
politician and MSP for Shetland
Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
. He was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
from 2008 to 2011. He stepped down after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election, in which the Liberal Democrats were reduced to five seats, down from 16 in the previous parliament.
Background, education and early career
Born in 1966 in Inverness, Tavish Scott attended Anderson High SchoolAnderson High School (Shetland)
The Anderson High School is a comprehensive secondary school in Lerwick, Shetland.The A.H.S. is the largest school in Shetland with about 752 pupils from age 11 to 18....
, Lerwick
Lerwick
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
, Shetland and holds a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Napier College, Edinburgh (now Napier University
Napier University
Edinburgh Napier is one of the largest higher education institutions in Scotland with over 17,000 students, including nearly 5,000 international students, from more than 100 nations worldwide.-History:...
). After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Jim Wallace
Jim Wallace
The Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
, then Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland
Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)
Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
, and later as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
. He then returned to Shetland and became a farmer and also a councillor on Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Lerwick Harbour Trust. He is married with three children.
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Scott was elected the first Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
for Shetland
Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
in May 1999. He was also the first parliamentarian for the Shetland Islands as a distinct entity; up to that point there had only been a single UK parliamentary constituency for both Orkney and Shetland. He served as a Deputy Minister for Parliament in the Scottish Executive
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Government is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive, from the extant Scottish Office, and the term Scottish Executive remains its legal name under the Scotland Act 1998...
from 2000 to 2001 in succession to his colleague Iain Smith, but resigned after refusing to support the Executive in a vote in the Parliament on a tie-up scheme for fishing.
In 2003, he returned to the Scottish Executive
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Government is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive, from the extant Scottish Office, and the term Scottish Executive remains its legal name under the Scotland Act 1998...
as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. During his time there his department piloted the Local Governance (Scotland) Act, which changed the elections for local authorities in Scotland to a proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
system. Following Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
's election as party leader and succession as Deputy First Minister of Scotland
Deputy First Minister of Scotland
The Deputy First Minister of Scotland is the deputy to the First Minister of Scotland.The post is not recognised in statute , and its holder is simply an ordinary member of the Scottish Government...
in 2005, Scott was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Transport. He was re-elected with an increased majority in May 2007, and held the largest margin by percentage, 50.1%, of any MSP over their closest challenger.
After the resignation of his friend and former ministerial colleague Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
, Scott declared his candidacy
Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2008
The 2008 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was an election to choose a new leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, triggered following the resignation of Nicol Stephen for personal reasons...
for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 7 July 2008 at Lerwick
Lerwick
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
harbour, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Vikings which is a tradition in Shetland called Up Helly Aa where Shetlanders celebrate their Viking heritage. On 26 August 2008, he was announced the winner of the leadership contest with 59% (1,450) of the votes.
Following what he described as a "disastrous" set of results for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Scottish elections in May 2011, Scott offered his resignation as leader (remaining a Member of the Scottish Parliament) . He claimed the poor showings were in part due to the coalition deal which saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
after the United Kingdom general election, 2010.
Career timeline
- 1986-1989: Napier College
- 1989-1990: Parliamentary researcher to Jim WallaceJim WallaceThe Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
MP for Orkney and Shetland, House of Commons - 1990-1992: Press Officer, Scottish Liberal DemocratsScottish Liberal DemocratsThe Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
, Edinburgh - 1992-1999: Farmer, Shetland family farm
- 1994-1999: Chairman and Trustee, Lerwick Harbour Trust
- 1994-1999: Councillor for LerwickLerwickLerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
Harbour and BressayBressay-Geography and geology:Bressay lies due south of Whalsay, west of Noss, and north of Mousa. At , it is the fifth largest island in Shetland. The population is around 400 people, concentrated in the middle of the west coast, around Glebe, Fullaburn and Maryfield....
wardWards of the United KingdomA ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
on Shetland Islands CouncilShetland Islands CouncilThe Shetland Islands Council is the local authority for Shetland. It was established by the Local Government Act 1973 and is the successor to the former Lerwick Town Council and Zetland County Council...
- Vice-chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee
- 1997-1999: Director, Shetland Islands Tourism
- 1999-present: Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
for ShetlandShetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election... - 2000-2001: Deputy Minister for Scottish ParliamentGovernment of the 1st Scottish ParliamentThe Executive of the 1st Scottish Parliament was formed following the 1999 election.- Dewar government :The Dewar government was formed by a coalition of Labour and the Liberal Democrats...
- 2003-2005: Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Services and Parliamentary BusinessGovernment of the 2nd Scottish ParliamentThe Executive of the 2nd Scottish Parliament was formed after the 2003 general election.- Second McConnell government :The Second McConnell government was a continuation of the previous Executive, Jack McConnell was re-appointed as First Minister on 20 May 2003 and headed another Labour/Liberal...
- 2005-2007: Minister for Transport
- 2007-2008: Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
- Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
- 2008-2011: Leader of the Scottish Liberal DemocratsScottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2008The 2008 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was an election to choose a new leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, triggered following the resignation of Nicol Stephen for personal reasons...
- 2011-present: Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman for business and the economy
External links
- Tavish Scott MSP official biography at the Scottish Parliament website
- Tavish Scott MSP profile at the site of Scottish Liberal Democrats
Tavish Hamilton Scott MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
(born 6 May 1966) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
politician and MSP for Shetland
Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
. He was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
from 2008 to 2011. He stepped down after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election, in which the Liberal Democrats were reduced to five seats, down from 16 in the previous parliament.
Background, education and early career
Born in 1966 in Inverness, Tavish Scott attended Anderson High SchoolAnderson High School (Shetland)
The Anderson High School is a comprehensive secondary school in Lerwick, Shetland.The A.H.S. is the largest school in Shetland with about 752 pupils from age 11 to 18....
, Lerwick
Lerwick
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
, Shetland and holds a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Napier College, Edinburgh (now Napier University
Napier University
Edinburgh Napier is one of the largest higher education institutions in Scotland with over 17,000 students, including nearly 5,000 international students, from more than 100 nations worldwide.-History:...
). After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Jim Wallace
Jim Wallace
The Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
, then Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland
Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)
Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
, and later as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
. He then returned to Shetland and became a farmer and also a councillor on Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Lerwick Harbour Trust. He is married with three children.
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Scott was elected the first Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
for Shetland
Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
in May 1999. He was also the first parliamentarian for the Shetland Islands as a distinct entity; up to that point there had only been a single UK parliamentary constituency for both Orkney and Shetland. He served as a Deputy Minister for Parliament in the Scottish Executive
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Government is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive, from the extant Scottish Office, and the term Scottish Executive remains its legal name under the Scotland Act 1998...
from 2000 to 2001 in succession to his colleague Iain Smith, but resigned after refusing to support the Executive in a vote in the Parliament on a tie-up scheme for fishing.
In 2003, he returned to the Scottish Executive
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Government is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive, from the extant Scottish Office, and the term Scottish Executive remains its legal name under the Scotland Act 1998...
as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. During his time there his department piloted the Local Governance (Scotland) Act, which changed the elections for local authorities in Scotland to a proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
system. Following Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
's election as party leader and succession as Deputy First Minister of Scotland
Deputy First Minister of Scotland
The Deputy First Minister of Scotland is the deputy to the First Minister of Scotland.The post is not recognised in statute , and its holder is simply an ordinary member of the Scottish Government...
in 2005, Scott was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Transport. He was re-elected with an increased majority in May 2007, and held the largest margin by percentage, 50.1%, of any MSP over their closest challenger.
After the resignation of his friend and former ministerial colleague Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
, Scott declared his candidacy
Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2008
The 2008 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was an election to choose a new leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, triggered following the resignation of Nicol Stephen for personal reasons...
for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 7 July 2008 at Lerwick
Lerwick
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
harbour, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Vikings which is a tradition in Shetland called Up Helly Aa where Shetlanders celebrate their Viking heritage. On 26 August 2008, he was announced the winner of the leadership contest with 59% (1,450) of the votes.
Following what he described as a "disastrous" set of results for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Scottish elections in May 2011, Scott offered his resignation as leader (remaining a Member of the Scottish Parliament) . He claimed the poor showings were in part due to the coalition deal which saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
after the United Kingdom general election, 2010.
Career timeline
- 1986-1989: Napier College
- 1989-1990: Parliamentary researcher to Jim WallaceJim WallaceThe Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
MP for Orkney and Shetland, House of Commons - 1990-1992: Press Officer, Scottish Liberal DemocratsScottish Liberal DemocratsThe Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
, Edinburgh - 1992-1999: Farmer, Shetland family farm
- 1994-1999: Chairman and Trustee, Lerwick Harbour Trust
- 1994-1999: Councillor for LerwickLerwickLerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
Harbour and BressayBressay-Geography and geology:Bressay lies due south of Whalsay, west of Noss, and north of Mousa. At , it is the fifth largest island in Shetland. The population is around 400 people, concentrated in the middle of the west coast, around Glebe, Fullaburn and Maryfield....
wardWards of the United KingdomA ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
on Shetland Islands CouncilShetland Islands CouncilThe Shetland Islands Council is the local authority for Shetland. It was established by the Local Government Act 1973 and is the successor to the former Lerwick Town Council and Zetland County Council...
- Vice-chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee
- 1997-1999: Director, Shetland Islands Tourism
- 1999-present: Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
for ShetlandShetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election... - 2000-2001: Deputy Minister for Scottish ParliamentGovernment of the 1st Scottish ParliamentThe Executive of the 1st Scottish Parliament was formed following the 1999 election.- Dewar government :The Dewar government was formed by a coalition of Labour and the Liberal Democrats...
- 2003-2005: Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Services and Parliamentary BusinessGovernment of the 2nd Scottish ParliamentThe Executive of the 2nd Scottish Parliament was formed after the 2003 general election.- Second McConnell government :The Second McConnell government was a continuation of the previous Executive, Jack McConnell was re-appointed as First Minister on 20 May 2003 and headed another Labour/Liberal...
- 2005-2007: Minister for Transport
- 2007-2008: Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
- Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
- 2008-2011: Leader of the Scottish Liberal DemocratsScottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2008The 2008 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was an election to choose a new leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, triggered following the resignation of Nicol Stephen for personal reasons...
- 2011-present: Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman for business and the economy
External links
- Tavish Scott MSP official biography at the Scottish Parliament website
- Tavish Scott MSP profile at the site of Scottish Liberal Democrats
Tavish Hamilton Scott MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
(born 6 May 1966) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
politician and MSP for Shetland
Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
. He was Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
from 2008 to 2011. He stepped down after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary election, in which the Liberal Democrats were reduced to five seats, down from 16 in the previous parliament.
Background, education and early career
Born in 1966 in Inverness, Tavish Scott attended Anderson High SchoolAnderson High School (Shetland)
The Anderson High School is a comprehensive secondary school in Lerwick, Shetland.The A.H.S. is the largest school in Shetland with about 752 pupils from age 11 to 18....
, Lerwick
Lerwick
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
, Shetland and holds a BA (Hons) Business Studies from Napier College, Edinburgh (now Napier University
Napier University
Edinburgh Napier is one of the largest higher education institutions in Scotland with over 17,000 students, including nearly 5,000 international students, from more than 100 nations worldwide.-History:...
). After graduating, he worked as a parliamentary assistant to Jim Wallace
Jim Wallace
The Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
, then Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland
Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)
Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
, and later as a Press Officer for the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
. He then returned to Shetland and became a farmer and also a councillor on Shetland Islands Council and Chairman of the Lerwick Harbour Trust. He is married with three children.
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Scott was elected the first Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
for Shetland
Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election...
in May 1999. He was also the first parliamentarian for the Shetland Islands as a distinct entity; up to that point there had only been a single UK parliamentary constituency for both Orkney and Shetland. He served as a Deputy Minister for Parliament in the Scottish Executive
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Government is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive, from the extant Scottish Office, and the term Scottish Executive remains its legal name under the Scotland Act 1998...
from 2000 to 2001 in succession to his colleague Iain Smith, but resigned after refusing to support the Executive in a vote in the Parliament on a tie-up scheme for fishing.
In 2003, he returned to the Scottish Executive
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Government is the executive arm of the devolved government of Scotland. It was established in 1999 as the Scottish Executive, from the extant Scottish Office, and the term Scottish Executive remains its legal name under the Scotland Act 1998...
as Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. During his time there his department piloted the Local Governance (Scotland) Act, which changed the elections for local authorities in Scotland to a proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
system. Following Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
's election as party leader and succession as Deputy First Minister of Scotland
Deputy First Minister of Scotland
The Deputy First Minister of Scotland is the deputy to the First Minister of Scotland.The post is not recognised in statute , and its holder is simply an ordinary member of the Scottish Government...
in 2005, Scott was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Transport. He was re-elected with an increased majority in May 2007, and held the largest margin by percentage, 50.1%, of any MSP over their closest challenger.
After the resignation of his friend and former ministerial colleague Nicol Stephen
Nicol Stephen
Nicol Ross Stephen, Baron Stephen of Lower Deeside in the City of Aberdeen is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South, and was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2005 to 2008...
, Scott declared his candidacy
Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2008
The 2008 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was an election to choose a new leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, triggered following the resignation of Nicol Stephen for personal reasons...
for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on 7 July 2008 at Lerwick
Lerwick
Lerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
harbour, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Vikings which is a tradition in Shetland called Up Helly Aa where Shetlanders celebrate their Viking heritage. On 26 August 2008, he was announced the winner of the leadership contest with 59% (1,450) of the votes.
Following what he described as a "disastrous" set of results for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the Scottish elections in May 2011, Scott offered his resignation as leader (remaining a Member of the Scottish Parliament) . He claimed the poor showings were in part due to the coalition deal which saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
after the United Kingdom general election, 2010.
Career timeline
- 1986-1989: Napier College
- 1989-1990: Parliamentary researcher to Jim WallaceJim WallaceThe Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
MP for Orkney and Shetland, House of Commons - 1990-1992: Press Officer, Scottish Liberal DemocratsScottish Liberal DemocratsThe Scottish Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties within the federal Liberal Democrats; the others being the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England...
, Edinburgh - 1992-1999: Farmer, Shetland family farm
- 1994-1999: Chairman and Trustee, Lerwick Harbour Trust
- 1994-1999: Councillor for LerwickLerwickLerwick is the capital and main port of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, located more than 100 miles off the north coast of mainland Scotland on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland...
Harbour and BressayBressay-Geography and geology:Bressay lies due south of Whalsay, west of Noss, and north of Mousa. At , it is the fifth largest island in Shetland. The population is around 400 people, concentrated in the middle of the west coast, around Glebe, Fullaburn and Maryfield....
wardWards of the United KingdomA ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
on Shetland Islands CouncilShetland Islands CouncilThe Shetland Islands Council is the local authority for Shetland. It was established by the Local Government Act 1973 and is the successor to the former Lerwick Town Council and Zetland County Council...
- Vice-chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee
- 1997-1999: Director, Shetland Islands Tourism
- 1999-present: Member of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish ParliamentMember of the Scottish Parliament is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament.-Methods of Election:MSPs are elected in one of two ways:...
for ShetlandShetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)Shetland is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the first past the post method of election... - 2000-2001: Deputy Minister for Scottish ParliamentGovernment of the 1st Scottish ParliamentThe Executive of the 1st Scottish Parliament was formed following the 1999 election.- Dewar government :The Dewar government was formed by a coalition of Labour and the Liberal Democrats...
- 2003-2005: Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Services and Parliamentary BusinessGovernment of the 2nd Scottish ParliamentThe Executive of the 2nd Scottish Parliament was formed after the 2003 general election.- Second McConnell government :The Second McConnell government was a continuation of the previous Executive, Jack McConnell was re-appointed as First Minister on 20 May 2003 and headed another Labour/Liberal...
- 2005-2007: Minister for Transport
- 2007-2008: Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth
- Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
- 2008-2011: Leader of the Scottish Liberal DemocratsScottish Liberal Democrats leadership election, 2008The 2008 Scottish Liberal Democrats leadership election was an election to choose a new leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, triggered following the resignation of Nicol Stephen for personal reasons...
- 2011-present: Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman for business and the economy
External links
- Tavish Scott MSP official biography at the Scottish Parliament website
- Tavish Scott MSP profile at the site of Scottish Liberal Democrats