Elaine Smith (Scottish politician)
Elaine Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2016 | |
| Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament | |
| In office 11 May 2011 – 12 May 2016 Serving with John Scott | |
| Preceded by | Trish Godman |
| Succeeded by | Linda Fabiani |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Coatbridge and Chryston | |
| In office 6 May 1999 – 23 March 2016 | |
| Succeeded by | Fulton MacGregor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 May 1963 |
| Political party | Scottish Labour Party |
| Website | Elaine Smith MSP official biography |
Elaine Agnes Smith (born 5 May 1963, Coatbridge) is a Scottish Labour Party politician. She is a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Central Scotland region since 2016, previously having been the MSP for the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency from 1999 to 2016.
Political career
She was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999,[1] and subsequently returned in 2003,[2] 2007[3] and 2011.
On 11 May 2011, Smith was elected to serve as one of two Deputy Presiding Officers of the Scottish Parliament.
In 2013, Smith voiced her opposition to same sex marriage, claiming that it could lead to polygamy.[4]
On 5 May 2016, Smith lost her seat after watching her share of the vote drop by almost 18%.[5] She gained a regional list seat and returned to the parliament for the new session. She was unsuccessful in her attempt to become Presiding Officer, being defeated by fellow Labour list MSP Ken Macintosh.[6]
Smith supported Jeremy Corbyn during the Labour Party (UK) leadership election, 2015.[7]
During the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016, Smith backed Britain leaving the European Union, contrary to the position of the Labour Party.[8] Scotland subsequently voted 62% in favour of remaining in the European Union.
References
- ^ "Previous MSPs: Session 1 (1999-2003): Elaine Smith MSP". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ "Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003-2007): Elaine Smith MSP". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ "Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007-2011): Elaine Smith MSP". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/polygamy-could-follow-gay-marriage-warns-msp-1-3116121
- ^ "Scotland election 2016: Coatbridge and Chryston". BBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ Brooks, Libby (12 May 2016). "Ken Macintosh elected as presiding officer of Scottish parliament". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ Alexander, James (13 August 2015). "Jeremy Corbyn prepares for his Scottish tour". The National. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ http://stv.tv/news/politics/1355437-labour-msp-breaks-ranks-to-make-left-wing-case-for-brexit/
External links
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- Members of the Scottish Parliament 1999–2003
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2003–07
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2007–11
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2011–16
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–
- People from Coatbridge
- Member of the Scottish Parliament stubs