Jack McConnell
Jack McConnell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd First Minister of Scotland | |
| Assumed office November 8, 2001 | |
| Deputy | Jim Wallace (1999-2005), then Nicol Stephen (from 23 June 2005) |
| Preceded by | Henry McLeish |
| Constituency | Motherwell and Wishaw |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 30, 1960 Irvine, Ayrshire |
| Political party | Labour |
Jack Wilson McConnell MSP (born June 30, 1960 in Irvine, North Ayrshire) is a Scottish politician, leader of the Labour Party in Scotland and the third and current First Minister of Scotland.
Early life and education
McConnell was born in Irvine and raised on a sheep farm near Lamlash on the Isle of Arran. Aged sixteen, he joined the Scottish National Party[1], but later resigned his membership, becoming a vocal opponent of Scottish independence in later life. He attended Arran High School and later went on to study education at the University of Stirling, where he eventually became President of the Students' Association (after standing three times unsuccessfully for the post). Graduating in 1983 he began work as a mathematics teacher at Lornshill Academy in Alloa, Clackmannanshire (a position he retained throughout his subsequent council service). The following year McConnell's political career began in earnest, with his election to Stirling District Council. McConnell served on the council for eight years, while retaining his job at Lornshill. He served as Treasurer from 1988 until 1992, and was the Leader of the council from 1990 to 1992.
Political career
McConnell became the General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party in 1992. His major breakthrough was in his handling of the 1997 General Election success, where Labour attained a landslide victory over the Conservatives. Together the Scottish Labour Party and the Scottish National Party managed to eliminate every seat the Conservatives held in Scotland. In 1998, he served as a member of the Scottish Constitutional Convention where he pioneered the Scottish devolution referendum success, establishing the Scottish Parliament.
McConnell was elected an MSP in the first Scottish Parliament elections in 1999. He was appointed Finance Minister in the new Scottish Executive by then-First Minister Donald Dewar. Upon Dewar’s death in 2000, he contested Henry McLeish for the position of First Minister, but lost out in the ballot, instead becoming Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs under McLeish. McLeish would later be forced to resign over the Officegate Scandal, regarding the sub-let of his constituency office, and on November 22, 2001, McConnell would become First Minister after running unopposed.
Controversy
McConnell surprised many while putting his name forward as McLeish’s replacement as First Minister, making a personal admission that he had been unfaithful to his wife Bridget. He revealed this in order to avoid it being exposed by the media and used against his campaign.
His first reshuffle of the cabinet in Scotland was controversial as he axed nearly all of the ministers loyal to McLeish and other figures in the party. The Sun dubbed him “Jack The Ripper”, and he has since been the butt of a number of nicknames including “Jumping Jack Flash” (in honour of his allegedly brash, risk-taking demeanour in stark contrast to that of his predecessor), "Union Jack" (due to his hostility towards Scottish independence) and “Jack the Lad” (perhaps a slur on his public speaking and debating skills, or alternatively a pejorative reference to his strong self-belief).
In 2006 he caused controversy in the London press with his statement that he would be supporting Trinidad and Tobago at the World Cup in Germany instead of England.
McConnell has also been criticised for resorting to the so-called Sewell motion, which effectively bypasses responsibility, and passes legislation to the parliament in Westminster.
Membership
McConnell is a member of the GMB Union and of Amnesty International.
See also
