Lewis Macdonald Explained

Lewis Macdonald
Office:Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
Termlabel:Interim
Alongside:Linda Fabiani and Christine Grahame
1Namedata:Ken Macintosh
Term Start:1 April 2020
Term End:14 May 2021
Office1:Convener of the Health and Sport Committee
Term Start1:19 December 2017
Term End1:4 May 2021
Predecessor1:Neil Findlay
Successor1:Gillian Martin
Embed:yes
Office:Member of the Scottish Parliament
for North East Scotland
Term Start:6 May 2011
Term End:5 May 2021
Office1:Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Aberdeen Central
Term Start1:6 May 1999
Term End1:6 May 2011
Predecessor1:Constituency established
Successor1:Kevin Stewart
Office2:Scottish Labour portfolios
Suboffice2:Chief Whip of the Scottish Labour Party
Subterm2:2013–2014
Suboffice3:Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Sport, Tourism and External Affairs
Subterm3:2016–2017
Birth Name:Roderick Lewis Macdonald
Birth Date:1 January 1957
Birth Place:Stornoway, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Party:Scottish Labour
Spouse:Sandra Macdonald
Children:2 daughters
Alma Mater:University of Aberdeen

Roderick Lewis Macdonald (born 1 January 1957) is a Scottish politician who was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the North East Scotland region between 2011 and 2021. A member of Scottish Labour, he previously represented the Aberdeen Central constituency from 1999 to 2011. He was a deputy Scottish Executive minister from 2001 to 2007.

Early life and career

Born in Stornoway, Macdonald moved with his family to Aberdeenshire as a child, and attended Inverurie Academy and later the University of Aberdeen. Macdonald received an MA in history and a PhD in African studies and later lectured at the university. He is a member of the trade union Unite.[1]

Political career

Macdonald unsuccessfully contested the Moray UK Parliament constituency at the 1997 general election. Prior to his election as an MSP, he worked as a parliamentary researcher to the MPs Frank Doran and Tom Clarke. After being elected in the 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Macdonald joined the Scottish Executive in March 2001. He was briefly Deputy Minister for Transport and Planning from March to November 2001. He then served as Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, later renamed Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, from 2001 to 2004.[2] He served as Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development from 2004 to 2005 and Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care from 2005 to 2007.[3]

Between June 2013 and December 2014, Macdonald served as Scottish Labour Chief Whip. He has also led for Scottish Labour on enterprise and tourism, infrastructure, justice and energy.[4] He has served as convener of the Health and Sport Committee from December 2017 to May 2021.[5] He became interim Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament in April 2020, following the self isolation of Christine Grahame during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] [7]

Macdonald nominated Anas Sarwar in the 2021 Scottish Labour leadership election.[8] He stood down at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.[9]

Personal life

Macdonald is married to Sandra who has worked in the oil industry. Macdonald also has two children. Sandra was a member of the Aberdeen City Council in 2017.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Personal Information. 2018-01-18. www.parliament.scot. 2020-04-02.
  2. Web site: Previous MSPs: Session 1 (1999–2003): Lewis Macdonald MSP . The Scottish Parliament . 28 June 2014.
  3. Web site: Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003–2007): Lewis Macdonald MSP . The Scottish Parliament . 28 June 2014.
  4. Web site: Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Lewis Macdonald MSP. The Scottish Parliament. 28 June 2014.
  5. Web site: Current MSPs: Lewis Macdonald MSP . The Scottish Parliament . 28 June 2014.
  6. Web site: Lewis Macdonald elected temporary Deputy Presiding Officer. Beaton. Ailean. 2020-04-01. Holyrood Website. en. 2020-04-02.
  7. Web site: North-east MSP gains new role in Scottish Parliament. Hall. Jamie. 2020-04-02. Evening Express. en-US. 2020-04-02.
  8. Web site: Scottish Leadership Election 2021 – Nominations. 2021-01-26. Scottish Labour. en.
  9. News: 2021-04-07. Holyrood 2021 election: Which MSPs are standing down?. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-08-09.
  10. News: Shambles as Kez suspends north east councillors . . Scotland . M2 . 2017-05-18 . 2024-06-25 . Newspapers.com.