Gordon Wilson (Scottish politician)

Gordon Wilson (Scottish politician)

(Robert) Gordon Wilson (born 16 April 1938) is a former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). He followed Billy Wolfe as SNP leader,[1] and was himself succeeded by Alex Salmond in 1990.[2]

Wilson was also a Member of Parliament for the Dundee East constituency from 1974 to 1987, when he lost to John McAllion of the Labour Party.[3]

Wilson's leadership was characterised by mixed fortunes. He was leader in the early 1980s when the party was in internal turmoil, and he was a key mover in proscribing both Siol nan Gaidheal and the 79 Group.[4] He also led the party through two poor general election performances in 1983 and 1987. However, a highlight of his leadership was the Govan by-election victory in 1988.

Wilson attempted to involve the SNP in the Scottish Constitutional Convention but due to the convention's unwillingness to contemplate discussions about Scottish independence as a constitutional option the SNP did not get involved.

Wilson can be characterised as a SNP Fundamentalist, although more of the old style rather than the new breed who tend to be firmly on the left of the party, with Wilson being more moderate in opinion.

Before his successes in electoral politics, Wilson was "Controller General" for a time of the political pirate station Radio Free Scotland.

Some of Gordon Wilson's papers are now held by Archive Services at the University of Dundee. [5]

Book

References

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
George Machin
Member of Parliament for Dundee East
Feb 19741987
Succeeded by
John McAllion
Political offices
Preceded by
William Wolfe
National Convener (Leader) of the Scottish National Party
1979–1990
Succeeded by
Alex Salmond
Preceded by
Douglas Henderson
Senior Vice Chairman (Deputy Leader) of the Scottish National Party
1973–1974
Succeeded by
Margo Macdonald
Academic offices
Preceded by
Baron Mackie of Benshie
Rector of the University of Dundee
1983–1986
Succeeded by
Malcolm Bruce

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gordon MacDonald (Scottish politician) — Gordon MacDonald (born 2 January 1960) is a Scottish politician, currently the Scottish National Party MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands. He was born in Glasgow and educated at Cumbernauld High School, the Central College of Commerce and the Glasgow… …   Wikipedia

  • Gordon Wilson — may refer to: Gordon Wilson (Scottish politician) (born 1938), former leader of the Scottish National Party Gordon Wilson (Canadian politician) (born 1949), leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party Gordon Wilson (peace campaigner) (1927–1995) …   Wikipedia

  • David Thompson (Scottish politician) — Dave Thompson MSP Convener of the Scottish Parliament Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Incumbent …   Wikipedia

  • Scottish Parliament general election, 2011 — 2007 ← members 5 May 2011 Members elected →&# …   Wikipedia

  • List of people with surname Wilson — Wilson is a common surname of English and Scottish origin. Some notable individuals with the surname Wilson include:A* A. N. Wilson (1950 ), English author * Alex Wilson (1905–1994), Canadian track and field athlete * Alexander Wilson (1776 1813) …   Wikipedia

  • Scottish Parliament election, 2007 — Election box constituency hold electoral region with party link constituency = Cumbernauld and Kilsyth MSP = Cathie Craigie winner = Scottish Labour Party Election box constituency hold electoral region with party link constituency = East… …   Wikipedia

  • Scottish independence — is a political ambition of a number of political parties, pressure groups and individuals for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom. The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state from its own unification in 843, until 1707, when the… …   Wikipedia

  • Gordon Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald of Gwaenysgor — Gordon Macdonald, PC, 1st Baron Macdonald of Gwaenysgor, (27 May 1888 – 20 January 1966) was a British Labour Party politician and Newfoundland s final British governor as well as the last chairman of the Commission of Government serving from… …   Wikipedia

  • Gordon Brown — This article is about the former UK Prime Minister. For other people with the same name, see Gordon Brown (disambiguation). The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP …   Wikipedia

  • Scottish Parliament election, 1999 — Infobox Election election name = Scottish General election, 1999 country = Scotland type = parliamentary ongoing = no previous election = previous year = previous mps=Members of the 1st Scottish Parliament next election = Scottish Parliament… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”