Malcolm Chisholm

Malcolm Chisholm MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Northern and Leith Edinburgh North and Leith (1999-2011)
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 May 1999
Preceded by	Constituency Created
Majority	595
Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith Edinburgh Leith (1992–1997)
In office 9 April 1992 – 7 June 2001
Preceded by	Ron Brown
Succeeded by	Mark Lazarowicz
Personal details
Born	7 March 1949 (1949-03-07) (age 62)
Political party	Scottish Labour Party
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh

Malcolm Chisholm (born 7 March 1949) is a Scottish Labour Party politician, and a former Scottish Executive minister.

Background

Chisholm was educated at George Watson's College and the University of Edinburgh and became an English teacher. He is married with three children. He is known to be a Hibs fan.

Career

Chisholm was Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh Leith from 1992, then Edinburgh North and Leith from 1997. He served as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland responsible for local government and transport minister for a few months in 1997 but resigned over lone parent benefit cuts. He remained an MP until 2001, when he stood down from the House of Commons in order to concentrate on the Scottish Parliament, to which he was elected in 1999 for the same constituency.

He became Minister for Health and Community Care in 2001, then Minister for Communities from October 2004. As Minister for Health and Community Care, Chisholm introduced and oversaw the passage of the National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Bill^[1] which brought about the abolition of NHS Trusts in Scotland and the creation of Community Health Partnerships.^[2]

As Minister for Communities, Chisholm oversaw investment in the building of affordable homes,^[3][4] approved a proposal from Fife Council for a moratorium on council house sales in order to maintain the supply of affordable housing,^[5] developed reforms of planning policy to protect green spaces,^[6] and extended the Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal to provide and refurbish heating systems for pensioners.^[7]

In December 2006 he criticised the decision to renew Trident, Britain's nuclear deterrent, in opposition to First Minister Jack McConnell, leading to speculation he may be removed from office.^[8] He subsequently resigned on 21 December 2006 after supporting a motion passed by the Scottish National Party that opposed the replacement of the nuclear submarines.^[9]

On 17 September 2007 he was appointed Shadow Minister for Culture and External Affairs by new Scottish Labour Opposition Leader, Wendy Alexander. In September 2008 Malcolm chose to return to the backbenches of the Scottish Labour Group to spend more time campaigning on constituency issues, such as the proposed Leith Biomass Plant.^[10]

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ Chisholm launches NHS reform BBC
3. ^ Affordable housing drive outlined BBC
4. ^ Minister unveils homes investment BBC
5. ^ Council house purchase ban agreed BBC
6. ^ Shake-up to protect open spaces BBC
7. ^ Elderly offered heating upgrade BBC
8. ^ Chisholm could lose cabinet post, The Observer
9. ^ Minister quits after Trident vote BBC
10. ^ Leith Biomass Plant

External links

• Malcolm Chisholm MSP Scottish Parliament website
• Malcolm Chisholm MSP Profile at Labour party website
• Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Edinburgh North and Leith Constituency website
• Minister quits for second time BBC Scotland profile

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Ron Brown	Member of Parliament for Edinburgh Leith 1992–1997	Succeeded by (constituency abolished)
Preceded by (new constituency)	Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith 1997–2001	Succeeded by Mark Lazarowicz
Scottish Parliament
Preceded by Constituency Created	Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith 1999–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Margaret Curran	Minister for Communities 2004–2006	Succeeded by Rhona Brankin
Preceded by Susan Deacon	Minister for Health and Community Care 2001-2004	Succeeded by Andy Kerr
Preceded by Iain Gray	Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care 2000-2001	Succeeded by Hugh Henry and Mary Mulligan

Persondata
Name	Chisholm, Malcolm
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	7 March 1949
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death