Mike MacKenzie (politician)

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Mike MacKenzie
MikeMacKenzieMSP20110509.JPG
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Highlands and Islands
In office
5 May 2011 5 May 2016
Personal details
Born18 November 1958
Oban, Scotland
Political party Alba (from 2021) [1]
Other political
affiliations
SNP (2011-2021)

Michael William Frederick MacKenzie (born 18 November 1958) is a Scottish politician. He is a former Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Highlands and Islands region from 2011 to 2016.

Contents

Early life

Mackenzie was born on 18 November 1958 in Oban. [2] He was educated at Allan Glen's School. [2]

Personal life

MacKenzie and his family live on the small slate island of Easdale which is home to around 60 people. [3] [4] MacKenzie is married to Lynn, a teacher, [5] and they have a son. [6]

Political career

At the 2010 general election, MacKenzie ran as the Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate in Argyll and Bute, finishing fourth with 8,563 votes (18.9%). [7] [8]

At the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, MacKenzie was the third-placed candidate on the party list for the Highlands and Islands region, and was elected. [9]

MacKenzie sought re-election on the list at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, but failed to retain his seat. [10] [11]

At the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, MacKenzie was placed sixth on the party list, and was not elected. [12] [13] In June 2021, a month after the election, he defected from the SNP to the Alba Party. [14]

Controversies

In May 2011, MacKenzie was chastised by a sheriff for going to a "pre-induction" meeting for new SNP MSPs instead of appearing in court to face allegations that he has failed to pay a £4,000 electricians bill while director of Mike MacKenzie builders. [15] In July 2011, MacKenzie lost the court case. [16]

References

  1. Gordon, Tom (6 June 2021). "Former MSP Mike MacKenzie is latest SNP defector to Alex Salmond's Alba party conference" . The Herald. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Current MSPs: Mike Mackenzie". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  3. Colin Cameron (27 May 2011). "Argyll Msps Hit The Headlines". dunoon-observer.com. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  4. "Easdale: an island that's not easily slated | News | The Hour | STV Programmes". programmes.stv.tv. 6 April 2010. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  5. Ross, David; Paterson, Steward (8 February 2008). "'Many islanders have small boats, but we still rely on the ferrymen'". Herald Scotland . Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  6. "Congratulations "Wee Mike"!". www.easdalepeople.org.uk. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  7. "General election for the constituency of Argyll and Bute on 6 May 2010". UK Parliament. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  8. "Election 2010 - Argyll and Bute constituency results". BBC News. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  9. "BBC News - Election 2011 - Scotland - Highlands and Islands results". BBC News. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  10. "Scottish Parliament elections (Regional List) - Highlands and Islands, 5 May 2016". Who Can I Vote For?. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  11. "Holyrood 2016: SNP hold Highlands and Islands seats". BBC News. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  12. "Highlands and Islands – 2016 Results and 2021 Candidates". Ballot Box Scotland. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  13. "Scottish Parliamentary Elections - 2021 Results". Highland Council. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  14. Gordon, Tom (6 June 2021). "Former MSP Mike MacKenzie is latest SNP defector to Alex Salmond's Alba party". The Herald. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  15. "SNP MSP is chastised by sheriff". The Scotsman . Johnston Press. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  16. Campbell, Rita (21 July 2011). "Article – MSP loses battle over disputed £4,000 bill". Press and Journal. Retrieved 13 January 2012.