Malcolm George Richardson Chisholm (born 7 March 1949) is a former Scottish politician who served as Minister for Health and Community Care from 2001 to 2004 and Minister for Communities from 2004 to 2006. A member of the Scottish Labour Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh North and Leith, formerly Edinburgh Leith, from 1992 to 2001 and Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the equivalent seat and its successor from 1999 to 2016.
Malcolm Chisholm | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2003 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 6 May 1997 – 10 December 1997 | |
| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Raymond Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Calum MacDonald |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Northern and Leith Edinburgh North and Leith (1999–2011) | |
| In office 6 May 1999 – 24 March 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Ben Macpherson |
| Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith Edinburgh Leith (1992–1997) | |
| In office 9 April 1992 – 14 May 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Brown |
| Succeeded by | Mark Lazarowicz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 March 1949 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish Labour Party |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Career
edit
Chisholm was Member of Parliament 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 single 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.
Chisholm became Minister for Health and Community Care in 2001, then Minister for Communities from October 2004. As Minister for Health and Community Care, he 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, Chisholm criticised the decision to renew Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent, in opposition to First Minister Jack McConnell, leading to speculation that Chisholm might 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, Chisholm was appointed Shadow Minister for Culture and External Affairs by new Scottish Labour leader, Wendy Alexander. In September 2008, Chisholm returned to the backbenches.
In April 2014, Chrisholm announced that he would not seek re-election at the 2016 election.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament". Scottish.parliament.uk. 14 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ Chisholm launches NHS reform BBC
- ^ Affordable housing drive outlined BBC
- ^ Minister unveils homes investment BBC
- ^ Council house purchase ban agreed BBC
- ^ Shake-up to protect open spaces BBC
- ^ Elderly offered heating upgrade BBC
- ^ Martin, Lorna (10 December 2006). "Chisholm could lose cabinet post". The Observer. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ^ "Minister quits after Trident vote". BBC News. 23 December 2006.
- ^ "Malcolm Chisholm to step down at next Holyrood election". BBC News. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
External links
edit- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Malcolm Chisholm
- 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