Mike MacKenzie (politician) explained

Mike MacKenzie
Office:Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Highlands and Islands
Term Start:May 2011
Term End:May 2016
Birth Date:18 November 1958
Birth Place:Oban, Scotland
Party:Alba[1]
Otherparty:SNP (2011-2016)

Michael William Frederick MacKenzie (born 18 November 1958) is a Scottish politician. He is a former Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Highlands and Islands region from 2011 to 2016.

Early life

Mackenzie was born on 18 November 1958 in Oban.[2] He was educated at Allan Glen's School.[2]

Personal life

MacKenzie and his family live on the small slate island of Easdale which is home to around 60 people.[3] [4] MacKenzie is married to Lynn, a teacher,[5] and they have a son.[6]

Political career

Mike MacKenzie was elected on behalf of the Scottish National Party as a Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Highlands and Islands in May 2011.

He was unsuccessful in being re-elected during the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.

In June 2021 he defected from the SNP to the Alba Party.[7]

Controversies

In May 2011, MacKenzie was chastised by a sheriff for going to a "pre-induction" meeting for new SNP MSPs instead of appearing in court to face allegations that he has failed to pay a £4,000 electricians bill while director of Mike MacKenzie builders.[8] In July 2011, MacKenzie lost the court case.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former MSP Mike MacKenzie is latest SNP defector to Alex Salmond's Alba party conference . Tom . Gordon . The Herald. en . subscription . 6 June 2021. 5 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Current MSPs: Mike Mackenzie . . 7 May 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160509083224/http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/27926.aspx . 9 May 2016 . dmy-all .
  3. Web site: Colin Cameron. Argyll Msps Hit The Headlines . dunoon-observer.com. 27 May 2011 . 3 March 2012.
  4. Web site: Easdale: an island that's not easily slated | News | The Hour | STV Programmes . programmes.stv.tv . 6 April 2010 . 3 March 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105031415/http://programmes.stv.tv/the-hour/news/168193-easdale-an-island-thats-not-easily-slated/ . 5 January 2012 . dmy-all .
  5. Web site: David . Ross . Steward . Paterson . 'Many islanders have small boats, but we still rely on the ferrymen' . . 8 February 2008 . 10 January 2015.
  6. Web site: Congratulations "Wee Mike"! . www.easdalepeople.org.uk . 2 February 2012 . 3 March 2012.
  7. News: Gordon. Tom. 6 June 2021. Former MSP Mike MacKenzie is latest SNP defector to Alex Salmond's Alba party. en-GB. The Herald. 9 June 2021.
  8. News: SNP MSP is chastised by sheriff . . . 21 May 2011 . 10 January 2015.
  9. Web site: Campbell . Rita . Article – MSP loses battle over disputed £4,000 bill . Press and Journal . 21 July 2011 . 13 January 2012.