Gordon McLennan

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Gordon McLennan (born 12 May 1924) is a former leader of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB).

Born in Glasgow, McLennan worked as an engineering draughtsperson before taking on various full-time posts within the CPGB. He contested the Glasgow Govan constituency in the 1959 UK general election, then the West Lothian by-election, 1962; Govan in the 1964 and 1966 UK general elections. He became the National Organiser of the CPGB in 1966, and while holding this post, contested elections in St Pancras North in the 1970 and February 1974 general elections.

In 1975, McLennan was elected as the General Secretary of the CPGB. He held the post during a long period of decline, finally stepping down in 1989. With the subsequent dissolution of the party, he joined the Communist Party of Scotland. He has continued to be active in the pensioners' movement and supported the Respect candidate George Galloway in the 2005 general election.

[edit] References

• A. Thomas Lane, Biographical Dictionary of European Labor Leaders

Political offices
Preceded by John Gollan	General Secretary of the Communist Party of Great Britain 1976 - 1989	Succeeded by Nina Temple
Preceded by Bill Lauchlan	National Organiser of the Communist Party of Great Britain 1966 - 1975	Succeeded by Dave Cook