Jamie Stone (politician)

Jamie Stone
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
In office 6 May 1999 – 22 March 2011
Preceded by	new constituency
Succeeded by	Rob Gibson
Personal details
Born	(1954-06-16) 16 June 1954 Edinburgh, Scotland
Political party	Scottish Liberal Democrats
Alma mater	University of St Andrews

James "Jamie" Stone (born 16 June 1954) is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He was a member of the Scottish Parliament for the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross, which is the northern-most mainland Scotland constituency and one of the largest constituencies in Britain. He held the seat from the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 until he stood down in 2011.

Background

Stone has an MA in history and geology from University of St Andrews and graduated in 1977. Upon graduation he worked in a variety of fields including fish gutting before settling down to work in the oil industry.^[1] Before becoming an MSP, Stone spent thirteen years in local government. First, he was a member of the Ross and Cromarty District Council, and later he was a member of the Highland Council. Stone is married with three children, one son and two daughters, both of whom also attended the University of St Andrews. He is also a keen gardener and an expert on edible fungi.

MSP

Since becoming an MSP, Stone has been active on a number of fronts. Currently, he is the party spokesperson on housing and the deputy party spokesman on health, as well as being the convenor of the Subordinate Legislation committee and a member of the Convenors’ Group.

Stone is also currently a member of the following cross-party groups: Convenor of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Russia, Co-convenor of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Oil and Gas, Co-convenor of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Tackling Debt, Co-convenor of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on the Scottish Economy, Deputy Convenor of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Civil Nuclear Energy, Deputy Convenor of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke, Member of the Buidheann Thar-Phartaidh na Gaidhlig, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Asthma, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Carers, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Palliative Care, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Science and Technology, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Tartan Day, Member of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Tibet, and Member of the cross-party group on Beer and the Brewing Industry

Since becoming a Member of Scottish Parliament in 1999, Stone has also held the following posts: Deputy Convenor: Communities Committee, Member: Subordinate Legislation Committee, Member: Art Advisory Group, Member: Enterprise and Culture Committee, Member: Justice 1 Committee, Member: Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill Committee, Substitute Member: Education Committee, Substitute Member: Audit Committee, Member: Finance Committee, Member: Equal Opportunities Committee, Member: Rural Development Committee, Member: Holyrood Progress Group, Member: Education, Culture and Sport Committee, and Member: Local Government Committee

In 2004, Stone was the captain of the Scottish Parliament's team, The Professionals, on the British television show, University Challenge. His fellow team members included Richard Baker (Labour), Robin Harper (Green), and Stewart Stevenson (SNP). The Professionals easily beat the Welsh Assembly's team with a final score of 110 points to 75, and also surpassed the record low score achieved of 25, which was achieved by the House of Commons in 2003.

In the 2012 Local Government Elections he was re-elected to the Highlands Council for the Tain and Easter Ross Ward.

References

External links

• Jamie Stone MSP profile at the site of Scottish Liberal Democrats