Brian Leishman

Last updated

Brian Leishman
MP
Official portrait of Brian Leishman MP crop 2.jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Alloa and Grangemouth
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024

Brian William Leishman (born July 1982) is a Scottish politician and golfer who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Alloa and Grangemouth since 2024. On the political left, he is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group and was elected for the Labour Party, but currently sits as an independent in Parliament after his whip was suspended on 16 July 2025. [1]

Contents

Early life and career

Leishman was educated at St Columba's High School in Perth. [2] He began a history and politics degree at the University of Stirling, but left after several weeks to pursue a golfing career. [2]

Leishman is a member of the Professional Golfers' Association, and has received a Bachelor of Arts in golf management from Abertay University. [3] He has coached at numerous Scottish golf clubs, including Alloa Golf Club where he owned a shop prior to his election to Parliament. [3]

Political career

In 2022, Leishman was elected as a Member of Perth and Kinross Council for Perth City North. [4] As a councillor, he served as a director of two council-funded sports bodies. [5] He resigned from the Council in August 2024. [6]

At the 2024 general election, Leishman was elected as MP for the newly established Alloa and Grangemouth constituency. [7] He defeated SNP candidate John Nicolson, who was the incumbent MP for one of its predecessor seats. [8]

Leishman voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, that would legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales. He has been a member of the trade unions Community and Unite. [5]

On 16 July 2025, Leishman had the whip withdrawn following reported breaches of party discipline, including voting against the party line and making public comments critical of the leadership. [9] [10] In response to his suspension, Leishman stated that he remained a "proud Labour member" and wished to continue serving as a Labour MP. He said that his votes against the government were motivated by a desire to represent his constituents effectively, particularly those impacted by austerity. Leishman added, "It is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer," and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering positive change for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Quinn, Andrew (16 July 2025). "Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman loses party whip after repeatedly criticising UK Government". Daily Record. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 Bannerman, Gordon (9 November 2012). "Gleneagles pro joins elite band". Daily Record. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Meet The Team | Alloa Golf Club". www.alloagolfclub.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Brian Leishman to contest Alloa and Grangemouth seat for Labour". Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Notice of Registrable Interests: Brian Leishman". Perth and Kinross Council . April 2024.
  6. ↑ "CMIS > Councillors > Overview of Councillors". perth-and-kinross.cmis.uk.com. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "Election 2024 > Alloa and Grangemouth results". BBC News . Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Brian Leishman elected as Labour steal Alloa and Grangemouth seat from SNP". Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "Politics latest: Starmer and Macron agree 'new deterrent' to stop small boat crossings". Sky News. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  10. ↑ Green, Daniel (16 July 2025). "Three Labour MPs have whip removed over 'breaches of party discipline'". LabourList. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  11. ↑ Donnelly, Dylan (16 July 2025). "Who are the suspended Labour MPs and why did they lose the whip?". Sky News. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
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