The Right Honourable Henry McLeish, a former professional soccer player, began his political career in Fife, Scotland in the early 1970’s, working his way through the ranks of the Kirkcaldy District Council and the Fife Regional Council. Elected to the United Kingdom Parliament in 1987 he became a member of the Blair Government in 1997.
As Minister for Devolution at the Scottish Office from 1997 to 1999 he was instrumental in shaping Scotland’s first Parliament in almost 300 years. Elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 he was Minister for Enterprise and Life Long Learning overseeing higher education, industry, science and technology.
He became First Minister of Scotland in 2000, taking responsibility for Scotland’s emerging role on the European and World stage, leading official government missions around the globe and implementing Scotland’s social and economic policies. He became a member of the Privy Council – an honour bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen - in the same year
He played a key role in the process of devolution, which returned key aspects of Parliamentary power and Government authority from the UK to Scotland.
After 30 years in elected office, Mr McLeish retired from public service in 2003.
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