Christian Allard(born 31 March 1964) is a French citizen and a Scottish politician. Allard was elected as aScottish National Party(SNP)Member of the European Parliament(MEP) forScotlandconstituency in the2019 European Parliament election,serving until the 31 January 2020 when theBrexitprocess was completed.[3]He is also a formerMember of the Scottish Parliament(MSP) for theNorth East Scotlandregion 2013−2016 and has been a councillor forAberdeen City Councilsince 2017.
Christian Allard | |
|---|---|
 Allard in 2016 | |
| Member of the European Parliament forScotland | |
| In office 2 July 2019[1][2]–31 January 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Ian Hudghton |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament forNorth East Scotland | |
| In office 15 May 2013 – 24 March 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Mark McDonald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 March 1964 Dijon,Côte-d'Or,France |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
| Children | 3 |
Background
editAllard was born in 1964 inDijon,France.[4]He first came toScotlandaround 1986, when he accepted the offer from a European seafood transport and logistics network (Tradimar/STEF) to open an office inGlasgow.[5]After marrying a Scot, he later moved to the North East to work for a seafood exporting company. He worked in the fishing industry for over 30 years.[5]
Political career
editAllard joined the SNP around 2004.[5]His belief thatScotlandcould and should be an independent country was shaped by his experiences in the fishing industry.
Allard worked part-time as a constituency assistant toDennis RobertsonMSP, and was a key part of Mr Robertson’s successful 2011 campaign team inAberdeenshire West.[5]
He succeededMark McDonaldafter he resigned his list seat to contest the2013 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 in2016and topped the SNP's regional list in theNorth East region.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 the2017 Aberdeen City Council electionfor the Torry/Ferryhill ward and took the 3rd seat with 910 1st preference votes.[8]
Allard was elected as aMember of the European Parliamentfor theScotlandconstituency in the2019 European Parliament election.[3]He served as MEP until the 31 January 2020, when theBrexitprocess was completed.
At the2021 Scottish Parliament election,he was the second list candidate for the SNP in the North East.[9]
Personal life
editAllard has raised three daughters in Scotland, and also now has six grandchildren.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Key dates ahead".European Parliament. 20 May 2017.Retrieved28 May2019.
- ^"Will MEPs get pensions and other frequent questions".BBC News. 22 May 2017.Retrieved28 May2019.
- ^ab"The UK's results in maps and charts".BBC News.27 May 2019.
- ^Dinwoodie, Robbie (15 May 2013)."New MSP to take oath in his native French".The Herald.Glasgow.Retrieved23 November2016.
- ^abcde"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.Retrieved16 May2013.
- ^McPherson, Gareth (6 May 2016)."Holyrood no more - eight former MSPs who will be looking for new jobs".The Courier.Retrieved23 June2016.
- ^"Local Government Election 2017 Results".8 May 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 8 May 2017.
- ^Davidson, Peter (29 April 2021)."Simple guide to the North East Scotland regional list".Daily Record.Retrieved21 May2021.
External links
edit- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs:Christian Allard