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==Background==
==Background==
Originally from [[Rutherglen]], Mason has lived in the [[East End of Glasgow]] for 20 years. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother a teacher. After attending [[Hutchesons' Grammar School]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hutchesons.org/news/1156_fps-humza-yousaf-and-john-mason-elected-as-msps|title=FPs Humza Yousaf and John Mason elected as MSPs|work=hutchesons.org|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> he studied [[Accounting]] at the [[University of Glasgow]], becoming an [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland|ICAS]] [[Chartered Accountant]].
Originally from [[Rutherglen]], Mason has lived in the [[East End of Glasgow]] for 20 years. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother a teacher. After attending [[Hutchesons' Grammar School]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hutchesons.org/news/1156_fps-humza-yousaf-and-john-mason-elected-as-msps |title=FPs Humza Yousaf and John Mason elected as MSPs |work=hutchesons.org |accessdate=25 January 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025235400/http://www.hutchesons.org/news/1156_fps-humza-yousaf-and-john-mason-elected-as-msps |archivedate=25 October 2014 |df= }}</ref> he studied [[Accounting]] at the [[University of Glasgow]], becoming an [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland|ICAS]] [[Chartered Accountant]].


He worked for housing associations, nursing homes, and with a charity in London. He also spent three years in [[Kathmandu]], [[Nepal]] with an [[NGO]] ([[United Mission to Nepal]]) representing churches from across the world.
He worked for housing associations, nursing homes, and with a charity in London. He also spent three years in [[Kathmandu]], [[Nepal]] with an [[NGO]] ([[United Mission to Nepal]]) representing churches from across the world.
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===Member of Parliament===
===Member of Parliament===
On 30 June 2008 [[David Marshall (British politician)|David Marshall]], Labour MP for Glasgow East, resigned from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] on the grounds of ill-health,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/struggle-for-survival-in-labour-heartland-865816.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Struggle for survival in Labour heartland | first=Andy | last=McSmith | date=12 July 2008 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/2207911/Labour-MP-David-Marshall-to-quit-causing-Brown-more-by-election-woe.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Labour MP David Marshall to quit causing Brown more by-election woe | first=Andrew | last=Porter | date=27 June 2008 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> thereby triggering a [[Glasgow East by-election, 2008|by-election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/scotland_politics/7481746.stm|title=By-election looms after MP quits|work=BBC News|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=30 June 2008|accessdate=30 June 2008}}</ref><ref>http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/849966/resigning-was-the-best-thing-david-marshall-ever-did-for-glasgow-east.thtml</ref> The decision by Labour to call a quick by-election (set for 24 July 2008) was partly attributed to Labour's troubled finances and fears of an SNP campaign building up enough momentum.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/2213548/Labour-Gordon-Browns-crisis-deepens-as-Wendy-Alexander-resigns.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Labour: Gordon Brown's crisis deepens as Wendy Alexander resigns | first1=Patrick | last1=Hennessy | first2=Melissa | last2=Kite | date=28 June 2008 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> John Mason was selected as SNP candidate for Glasgow East on 3 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/node/14017|title=Employment at historic high in Scotland|work=snp.org|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> During the by-election, the candidate stance on abortion was displayed on noticeboards in catholic churches; Mason was reported to be opposed to [[abortion]] occurring for social reasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/glasgow-east-by-election-abortion-and-embryo-controversies-back-in-spotlight-for-final-days-of-campaign-1-1081169 |title=Glasgow East by-election: Abortion and embryo controversies back in spotlight for final days of campaign |work=The Scotsman |date=19 July 2008 |accessdate=24 December 2016}}</ref>
On 30 June 2008 [[David Marshall (British politician)|David Marshall]], Labour MP for Glasgow East, resigned from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] on the grounds of ill-health,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/struggle-for-survival-in-labour-heartland-865816.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Struggle for survival in Labour heartland | first=Andy | last=McSmith | date=12 July 2008 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/2207911/Labour-MP-David-Marshall-to-quit-causing-Brown-more-by-election-woe.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Labour MP David Marshall to quit causing Brown more by-election woe | first=Andrew | last=Porter | date=27 June 2008 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> thereby triggering a [[Glasgow East by-election, 2008|by-election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/scotland_politics/7481746.stm|title=By-election looms after MP quits|work=BBC News|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=30 June 2008|accessdate=30 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/849966/resigning-was-the-best-thing-david-marshall-ever-did-for-glasgow-east.thtml |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-01-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011230825/http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/849966/resigning-was-the-best-thing-david-marshall-ever-did-for-glasgow-east.thtml |archivedate=11 October 2008 |df= }}</ref> The decision by Labour to call a quick by-election (set for 24 July 2008) was partly attributed to Labour's troubled finances and fears of an SNP campaign building up enough momentum.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/2213548/Labour-Gordon-Browns-crisis-deepens-as-Wendy-Alexander-resigns.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Labour: Gordon Brown's crisis deepens as Wendy Alexander resigns | first1=Patrick | last1=Hennessy | first2=Melissa | last2=Kite | date=28 June 2008 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> John Mason was selected as SNP candidate for Glasgow East on 3 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snp.org/node/14017|title=Employment at historic high in Scotland|work=snp.org|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> During the by-election, the candidate stance on abortion was displayed on noticeboards in catholic churches; Mason was reported to be opposed to [[abortion]] occurring for social reasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/glasgow-east-by-election-abortion-and-embryo-controversies-back-in-spotlight-for-final-days-of-campaign-1-1081169 |title=Glasgow East by-election: Abortion and embryo controversies back in spotlight for final days of campaign |work=The Scotsman |date=19 July 2008 |accessdate=24 December 2016}}</ref>


Mason won the [[Glasgow East by-election, 2008|by-election]] in a surprise victory, defeating the Labour candidate [[Margaret Curran (politician)|Margaret Curran]], [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]] for Glasgow Baillieston.<ref>[http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2409214.0.Labour_concedes_defeat_in_Glasgow_East_byelection.php Labour concedes defeat in Glasgow East by-election], ''The Herald'', 25 July 2008</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7522153.stm |title=SNP stuns Labour in Glasgow East |work=BBC News |date=25 July 2008}}</ref> He overturned a Labour majority of more than 13,500 to win the seat on a swing of more than 22%. It was Labour's third safest seat in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/jul/25/glasgoweast.snp|title=A broken rule of thumb in Glasgow|first=Lewis |last=Baston |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=25 July 2008 |accessdate=22 May 2016}}</ref>
Mason won the [[Glasgow East by-election, 2008|by-election]] in a surprise victory, defeating the Labour candidate [[Margaret Curran (politician)|Margaret Curran]], [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]] for Glasgow Baillieston.<ref>[http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2409214.0.Labour_concedes_defeat_in_Glasgow_East_byelection.php Labour concedes defeat in Glasgow East by-election] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727085011/http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2409214.0.Labour_concedes_defeat_in_Glasgow_East_byelection.php |date=27 July 2008 }}, ''The Herald'', 25 July 2008</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7522153.stm |title=SNP stuns Labour in Glasgow East |work=BBC News |date=25 July 2008}}</ref> He overturned a Labour majority of more than 13,500 to win the seat on a swing of more than 22%. It was Labour's third safest seat in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/jul/25/glasgoweast.snp|title=A broken rule of thumb in Glasgow|first=Lewis |last=Baston |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=25 July 2008 |accessdate=22 May 2016}}</ref>


As promised during the by-election, Mason resigned his council seat immediately after his election as MP.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/12854968.Mason_calls_time_on_council_career/ |title=Mason calls time on council career|work=Evening Times |date=29 July 2008|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> The subsequent by-election was won by the SNP. Mason served as the SNP's Westminster spokesperson on [[Department for Work and Pensions|Work and Pensions]] during his tenure as an MP.<ref name="parliament">http://biographies.parliament.uk/parliament/default.asp?id=73286</ref> From 2009 until losing his seat in 2010, he also sat on the House of Commons' [[Administration Committee|Select Committee on Administration]].<ref name="parliament"/> In an interview with the Guardian newspaper in April 2010, when questioned about his Protestant religious beliefs and how that could conflict with the rights of others in the UK, Mason acknowledged the difficulty that this issue raised with him, informing the newspaper that he had been warned to leave this issue alone by his party,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/apr/20/religion-scotland-election | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Religion still counts in Scotland | first=Ian | last=Jack | date=20 April 2010 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref>
As promised during the by-election, Mason resigned his council seat immediately after his election as MP.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/12854968.Mason_calls_time_on_council_career/ |title=Mason calls time on council career|work=Evening Times |date=29 July 2008|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> The subsequent by-election was won by the SNP. Mason served as the SNP's Westminster spokesperson on [[Department for Work and Pensions|Work and Pensions]] during his tenure as an MP.<ref name="parliament">{{cite web|url=http://biographies.parliament.uk/parliament/default.asp?id%3D73286 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-01-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011125209/http://biographies.parliament.uk/parliament/default.asp?id=73286 |archivedate=11 October 2008 |df= }}</ref> From 2009 until losing his seat in 2010, he also sat on the House of Commons' [[Administration Committee|Select Committee on Administration]].<ref name="parliament"/> In an interview with the Guardian newspaper in April 2010, when questioned about his Protestant religious beliefs and how that could conflict with the rights of others in the UK, Mason acknowledged the difficulty that this issue raised with him, informing the newspaper that he had been warned to leave this issue alone by his party,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/apr/20/religion-scotland-election | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Religion still counts in Scotland | first=Ian | last=Jack | date=20 April 2010 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref>


=== Member of the Scottish Parliament ===
=== Member of the Scottish Parliament ===

Revision as of 09:49, 25 April 2017

John Mason
MSP
Deputy Convener of the
Scottish Parliament
Finance Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
15 June 2011
Preceded byTom McCabe
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Glasgow Shettleston
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 May 2011
Preceded byFrank McAveety
Majority7,323 (28.9%)[1]
Member of Parliament
for Glasgow East
In office
24 July 2008 – 12 April 2010
Preceded byDavid Marshall
Succeeded byMargaret Curran
Majority365 (1.4%)
Glasgow City Councillor for Baillieston (Ward 20)
Garrowhill (1998–2007)
In office
1998 – 25 July 2008
Succeeded byDavid Turner
Personal details
Born (1957-05-15) 15 May 1957 (age 67)
Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire
NationalityScottish
Political partyScottish National Party
Alma materHutchesons' Grammar School University of Glasgow
ProfessionAccountant
Websitejohn-mason.org

John Fingland Mason (born 15 May 1957) is a Scottish politician and the Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Shettleston.

He was the SNP Member of Parliament for Glasgow East from 2008 to 2010 and a Glasgow City Councillor from 1998 to 2008.

Background

Originally from Rutherglen, Mason has lived in the East End of Glasgow for 20 years. His father was an electrical engineer and his mother a teacher. After attending Hutchesons' Grammar School[2] he studied Accounting at the University of Glasgow, becoming an ICAS Chartered Accountant.

He worked for housing associations, nursing homes, and with a charity in London. He also spent three years in Kathmandu, Nepal with an NGO (United Mission to Nepal) representing churches from across the world.

Councillor

Mason has lived in the East End of Glasgow for the past 20 years and was elected as the councillor for the Garrowhill ward in Glasgow City Council at a by-election in 1998 and was re-elected in 1999 and 2003.[3]

He rose to become the Leader of the Opposition in Glasgow City Council and led the SNP Council Group on the majority Labour-run Council between 1999 and 2008. He was the SNP's longest serving Glasgow councillor and during his term he led many protests against Labour's moves to weaken effective opposition by altering the council committee system.[3]

In his ward, he attended a wide variety of community groups, including Garrowhill and Swinton Community Councils, local school boards, tenants association, and Garrowhill Action Partnership. He was also on the management committee of Tenant Controlled Housing which aims to give local tenants control of their housing in place of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA).[4]

Parliamentarian

Member of Parliament

On 30 June 2008 David Marshall, Labour MP for Glasgow East, resigned from the UK Parliament on the grounds of ill-health,[5][6] thereby triggering a by-election.[7][8] The decision by Labour to call a quick by-election (set for 24 July 2008) was partly attributed to Labour's troubled finances and fears of an SNP campaign building up enough momentum.[9] John Mason was selected as SNP candidate for Glasgow East on 3 July.[10] During the by-election, the candidate stance on abortion was displayed on noticeboards in catholic churches; Mason was reported to be opposed to abortion occurring for social reasons.[11]

Mason won the by-election in a surprise victory, defeating the Labour candidate Margaret Curran, MSP for Glasgow Baillieston.[12][13] He overturned a Labour majority of more than 13,500 to win the seat on a swing of more than 22%. It was Labour's third safest seat in Scotland.[14]

As promised during the by-election, Mason resigned his council seat immediately after his election as MP.[15] The subsequent by-election was won by the SNP. Mason served as the SNP's Westminster spokesperson on Work and Pensions during his tenure as an MP.[16] From 2009 until losing his seat in 2010, he also sat on the House of Commons' Select Committee on Administration.[16] In an interview with the Guardian newspaper in April 2010, when questioned about his Protestant religious beliefs and how that could conflict with the rights of others in the UK, Mason acknowledged the difficulty that this issue raised with him, informing the newspaper that he had been warned to leave this issue alone by his party,[17]

Member of the Scottish Parliament

In the 2011 Scottish parliamentary election, he defeated his main rival, Labour's Frank McAveety, to win the Glasgow Shettleston constituency with a majority of 586 votes. The turnout was 37.7%. During his time in Holyrood so far, Mason has called on the Scottish Government to make housing investment its top priority. During the debate on same-sex marriage in Scotland, Mason was widely condemned for raising a motion stating that no person or organisation should be forced to be involved or to approve of same-sex marriage.[18] In January 2015 he spoke in parliament in favour of young Earth creationism.[19] In February 2016, he publicly asked "How is national debt different from national deficit?" on Twitter, prompting the Spectator to say that he "appears to lack a basic understanding of finance".[20][21]

He was re-elected in 2016.[1]

Personal interests

Mason is a supporter of the Scottish football club Clyde.[22] His other interests include involvement in Easterhouse Baptist Church, hill-walking, camping and reading Scottish history.[23]

References

  1. ^ a b "Scotland election 2016. Glasgow Shettleston constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  2. ^ "FPs Humza Yousaf and John Mason elected as MSPs". hutchesons.org. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b Percival, Jenny (4 July 2008). "SNP to put up local council leader". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Glasgow SNP - Scottish Independence - Council candidates 2007". glasgowsnp.org. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  5. ^ McSmith, Andy (12 July 2008). "Struggle for survival in Labour heartland". The Independent. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  6. ^ Porter, Andrew (27 June 2008). "Labour MP David Marshall to quit causing Brown more by-election woe". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  7. ^ "By-election looms after MP quits". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  8. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Hennessy, Patrick; Kite, Melissa (28 June 2008). "Labour: Gordon Brown's crisis deepens as Wendy Alexander resigns". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  10. ^ "Employment at historic high in Scotland". snp.org. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Glasgow East by-election: Abortion and embryo controversies back in spotlight for final days of campaign". The Scotsman. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  12. ^ Labour concedes defeat in Glasgow East by-election Archived 27 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine, The Herald, 25 July 2008
  13. ^ "SNP stuns Labour in Glasgow East". BBC News. 25 July 2008.
  14. ^ Baston, Lewis (25 July 2008). "A broken rule of thumb in Glasgow". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Mason calls time on council career". Evening Times. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ Jack, Ian (20 April 2010). "Religion still counts in Scotland". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  18. ^ BBC News
  19. ^ "Christian MSP: science can't disprove Earth created in six days". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  20. ^ @JohnMasonMSP (27 February 2016). "How is national debt different from national deficit?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "SNP politician struggles with the deficit".
  22. ^ "MSP John Mason boycotts Clyde after Goodwillie signing". BBC News. BBC. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  23. ^ Mason, John (13 December 2005). "Councillor John Mason; Autobiography". Glasgow City Council. Archived from the original on 10 May 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
Coverage of the Glasgow East by-election, 2008
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Glasgow East
2008 - 2010 		Succeeded by
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