MSP for Edinburgh Southern
Representing the area where I live with my wife and children and where I grew up, means I feel honoured to represent Edinburgh Southern in the Scottish Parliament. South Edinburgh is home to diverse and varied people and communities in the heart of this city. Since elected in 2016, I have strived to represent the views and needs of my community in parliament and to make a difference in our part of Edinburgh.
I am often asked why I got involved in politics. Put simply, I like to fix things. I’m the sort of person who likes to get their tools out and put things right there and then. And my politics is a bit the same. I see things not working or people not having the same opportunities or the things they need to live their lives and I want to do what I can to put that right.
My interests in Parliament have followed along these lines – I am interested in what we need to do to give people opportunity and make our economy and our society better. I think innovation and technology are hugely important with the changes that automation and digitisation are bringing. I also take a close interest in Neuro Developmental Disorders including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia and associated Education and Health Policy because these are major barriers to people succeeding in Education and life.
I am current Deputy Convenor of the Education Committee and have previously been a member of the Justice Committee. I am also the Scottish Labour spokesperson for Finance and the Economy. I have recently passed a members bill through parliament to provide greater protection to retail workers from abuse and violence at work.
Prior to my election in 2016, I ran my family’s business of shops in Edinburgh. I started my career working in consulting, specialising in the financial services sector.