Michael John Rumbles(born 10 June 1956)[1]is a formerScottish Liberal Democratpolitician. He served as aMember of the Scottish Parliament(MSP) forNorth East Scotland,[2]from2016to2021.He previously representedWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardinebefore being defeated at the2011 electionin the successor constituency ofAberdeenshire West).[3][4][5]
Mike Rumbles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament forNorth East Scotland | |
| In office 5 May 2016 – 8 May 2021 | |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament forWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardine | |
| In office 6 May 1999 – 22 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | new constituency |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Robertson Aberdeenshire West |
| Majority | 5,170 (14.8%) (2007) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael John Rumbles 10 June 1956 South Shields,England |
| Political party | Scottish Liberal Democrats |
| Spouse | Pauline Rumbles |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Alma mater | Sunderland Polytechnic Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Aberystwyth University University of Leicester |
Background
editRumbles was born inSouth Shieldsin England and was educated at St James School inHebburn,County Durham,Sunderland Polytechnicwhere he graduated with a BEd, andRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst.He served in theRoyal Army Education Corpsretiring as a Major in October 1994.[6]
Rumbles obtained an MSc in economics atAberystwyth Universityand he studied at theUniversity of Leicesterwhere he completed a PGD in Employment Law.[7]
Career
editRumbles was elected to theWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardineconstituency in the1999 election,and comfortably held the seat in the2003 electionand2007 electionbut was defeated by the SNP in 2011. Following theScottish Parliament's establishment in 1999, Rumbles was Convenor of the Standards Committee when it was charged with investigating the so-called 'Lobbygate' scandal, in which the son of the thenSecretary of State for ScotlandJohn Reidwas embroiled. He promoted the legislation to establish an independent Standards Commissioner, the first Committee Bill of the Parliament.[8]
Leadership contests
editOn 12 May 2005, Rumbles announced his intention to stand for the vacant post of leader of theScottish Liberal Democrats.His candidacy involved a distinct platform from his opponentNicol Stephen.In particular, he specified a number of 'deal-breakers' for any coalition negotiations that might occur in the aftermath of the2007 Scottish Parliament elections,with an absolute insistence on the implementation of key Liberal Democrat policies such as abolition of thecouncil tax,and an enhancement of theScottish Parliament's powers. He also aimed to give the Liberal Democrats a more equal status within the coalition. He lost to Stephen in June 2005, winning 23.4% of the vote.
On 2 July 2008, following Stephen's surprise resignation as leader, Rumbles again announced his intention to stand for the Scottish Liberal Democrat leadership. This time he stressed his commitment to reviewing party policy on whether to hold a nationalreferendumonScottish independence(the policy of theScottish National Partygovernment). In the contest he faced former MinistersRoss FinnieandTavish Scott.Scott won the contest comfortably.
Personal life
editRumbles married Pauline Sillars in 1985. They have two sons.[1]
References
edit- ^ab"Rumbles, Michael John, (born 10 June 1956), Member (Lib Dem) Scotland North East, Scottish Parliament, since 2016 (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, 1999–2011)".WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO.2007.doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U33417.ISBN978-0-19-954088-4.
- ^"North East Scotland – Scottish Parliament electoral region – Election 2016"– via bbc.co.uk.
- ^"Lib Dems criticised after replacing only female MSP on Holyrood 2016 list with controversial candidate".Common Space.Retrieved18 January2016.
- ^"Willie Rennie keen on women-only shortlists for Scottish Lib Dems".thecourier.co.uk.23 August 2015.Retrieved18 January2016.
- ^"Campaigners say LibDems must introduce women-only shortlists".thenational.scot.Retrieved18 January2016.
- ^"London Gazette"(PDF).Retrieved26 May2016.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^"Personal Information".parliament.scot.30 June 2016.
- ^Stewart, Thomas A.W. (Ed.) (2019),The Scottish Parliament in its Own Words: An Oral History,Luath Press, p. 45
External links
edit- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs:Mike Rumbles
- Mike Rumblesprofile on Scottish Liberal Democrats website