Christian Allard
Christian Allard | |
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Member of the European Parliament for Scotland | |
Assumed office 2 July 2019[1][2] | |
Preceded by | Ian Hudghton |
Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland | |
In office 15 May 2013 – 24 March 2016 | |
Preceded by | Mark McDonald |
Personal details | |
Born | Dijon, Côte-d'Or, France | 31 March 1964
Political party | Scottish National Party |
Children | 3 |
Christian Allard (born 31 March 1964) is a French-born Scottish politician. Allard was elected as a Scottish National Party Member of the European Parliament for Scotland in the 2019 European Parliament election.[3] He is also a former Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the North East Scotland region 2013−2016 and has been a councillor for Aberdeen City Council since 2017.
Background
Allard was born in 1964 in Dijon, France.[4] He has worked in the fishing industry for over 30 years and first came to Scotland around 1986, when he accepted the offer from a European seafood transport and logistics network (Tradimar/STEF) to open an office in Glasgow.[5] After marrying a Scot, he later moved to the North East to work for a seafood exporting company.
Political career
Allard joined the SNP around 2004.[5] His belief that Scotland could and should be an independent country was shaped by his experiences in the fishing industry.
Allard worked part-time as a constituency assistant to Dennis Robertson MSP, and was a key part of Mr Robertson’s successful 2011 campaign team in Aberdeenshire West.[5]
He succeeded Mark McDonald after he resigned his list seat to contest the 2013 Aberdeen Donside by-election.[5]
His swearing into the Scottish Parliament was conducted in both English and French, the first time that the latter language has been used for the purpose.[6]
Allard stood for re-election in 2016 and topped the SNP's regional list in the North East. The SNP's dominated the constituency seats in the North East, with the regional seats going to candidates from the lists of other parties.[7]
Allard stood for election at the 2017 Aberdeen City Council election for the Torry/Ferryhill ward and took the 3rd seat with 910 1st preference votes.[8]
Allard was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for Scotland in the 2019 European Parliament election.[3]
Personal life
Allard has raised three daughters in Scotland, and also now has four grandchildren.
See also
- Alyn Smith MEP (SNP)
- Aileen McLeod MEP (SNP)
References
- ^ "Key dates ahead". European Parliament. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ "Key dates ahead". BBC News. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ a b https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48403131
- ^ Dinwoodie, Robbie (15 May 2013). "New MSP to take oath in his native French". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Newest MSP Christian Allard speaks in English and French at swearing in". BBC News. 15 May 2013.
- ^ "French MSP Christian Allard sworn in at Holyrood". Daily Record. 26 May 1999. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- ^ McPherson, Gareth (6 May 2016). "Holyrood no more - eight former MSPs who will be looking for new jobs". The Courier. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/council_government/councillors/elections_unit/elections/LG2017/LG2017_Results.asp
External links
- former MSP profile on Scottish Parliament website