Born and raised into a Labour supporting coal mining family in Fife, McLeish dropped out of Buckhaven High School at the age of fifteen to pursue a professional career in football. Playing wing half, he was first signed for Leeds United F.C., but after experiencing homesickness, McLeish returned to his native of Fife to play for East Fife F.C. Making more than 108 appearances, he was one of the youngest ever players to play in Scottish professional football. McLeish's career was cut short after an injury and he returned to education, studying at Heriot-Watt University.
Dewar died in office of a brain haemorrhage on 11 October 2000, which triggered a leadership contest within the Labour Party to find a successor, with McLeish declaring his candidacy. He led a successful and short campaign after defeating finance minister Jack McConnell. McLeish was sworn into office as first minister of Scotland on 26 October 2000. He oversaw the implementation of the McCrone Agreement for teachers in Scotland and strongly advocated free personal care for the elderly scheme. His tenure as first minister was short, as he resigned the following year following a financial scandal referred to as "Officegate"; the first major scandal the Scottish Parliament had faced since its reincarnation two years earlier. He was succeeded by McConnell, who he had beaten in the previous leadership election. McLeish sat as a backbencher, before stepping down as an MSP at the 2003 election.
Henry Baird McLeish[3] was born at 50 Morar Street in Methil, Fife,[4] on 15 June 1948, to Harry McLeish (1923-2009) and Mary Slaven Baird (1925-1985).[5][6][7] Born into a "strong Christian socialist influence" household in central Fife, where his father and grandfather worked as coal miners for a private company, McLeish's grandmother was a member of the Labour and Co-operative Party for seventy years.[8][9] He was named after his maternal grandfather.[10] McLeish grew up on Morar Street, before moving to Institution Row, a miner community, when he was two or three. The family moved to a new housing estate for mineworkers in the old village of Kennoway, where his younger brother Ronald was born.[11]
McLeish was educated at the Buckhaven High School,[12] where he became involved with the school's football team.[13] He met his childhood sweetheart while attending the school, Margaret Drysdale, and they married in 1968.[14] While a pupil at the school, he was "too concerned with football", having been told by his headmaster he had no future in education.[15]
McLeish returned to education following his injury, studying at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh from 1968 to 1973. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Town Planning.[16] After graduating, McLeish worked as a research officer at Edinburgh Corporation's department of social work from 1973 to 1974, then as a planning officer for Fife County Council from 1974 to 1975 and Dunfermline District Council from 1975 to 1987. He also worked as a part-time lecturer and tutor at Heriot-Watt University from 1973 to 1986.[17]
Professional football career
In 1963, McLeish left school at the age of 15 to become a professional football player.[15] His rector wrote on his school report card: "I am glad the boy is a good footballer as he has no future in education."[18] He was first signed with Leeds United, however, after experiencing homesickness, he returned to Scotland to play for East Fife, where he made 108 appearances.[19][20] He played wing-half and was one of the youngest ever players to play in Scottish professional football. His first game for East Fife was at Hampden Park against the Glasgow team, Queen's Park.[21][22]
At the age of 18, McLeish trialled for a Scotland youth national team, playing against a group of footballers from Motherwell, but they lost 5–2.[23]The Daily Record reported on the match and stated McLeish was the only young Scot to impress.[24] He was later selected for the Scotland team to play in the World Youth Cup, hosted by Yugoslavia.[24] McLeish also played for junior football clubs; St Andrews United and Glenrothes Juniors.[24] His footballing career was cut short by a leg injury, and he returned to education.[25]
Local government and MP (1970–1987)
McLeish joined the Scottish Labour Party in 1970 and he became chairman of the Young Socialists.[26] He first contested in an election for the Glenwood ward in Glenrothes but he was beaten by the sitting Scottish Conservative councillor.[26] He began his political career on the Kirkcaldy District Council from 1974 to 1977, serving as the council's planning committee chairman. He later served on the Fife Regional Council 1978 to 1987 and served as the as leader of Fife Regional Council from 1982. As the council leader, he implemented a "municipal socialist" manifesto, proposing free bus passes and TV licences for pensioners.[16]
The Labour Party failed to defeat Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party in the 1987 election and McLeish served in several shadow spokesman portfolios, including education and employment from 1988 to 1989 and employment and training from 1989 to 1992. Despite the end of Thatcher's eleven-year tenure, Labour failed again to defeat the incumbent Conservatives, returning to opposition. McLeish served as shadow minister for the Scottish Office from 1992 to 1994.[16]
In 1994, following Tony Blair's election as Leader of the Labour Party, McLeish served successively as the shadow minister for transport from 1994 to 1995, shadow minister for health from 1995 to 1996, and shadow minister for social security from 1996 to 1997.[16]
During his tenure as Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, McLeish and the Dewar government became embroiled in the 2000 SQA examinations controversy. The introduction in Scotland of the reformed examinations system in 2000 was criticised in the press and by the Government after a series of administrative and computer errors led to several thousand incorrect Higher and Intermediate certificates being sent out by post.
There had been suggestions that both McLeish and his corresponding Minister for EducationSam Galbraith were not informed about the issues, with McLeish later confirming that a process of "vigorous investigation" was underway.[28] It was later confirmed that several senior officials within the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) would be facing disciplinary action as a result of the error. BBC News said that both the Chief Executive of the SQA, Ron Tuck, and the Minister for Education, Sam Galbraith, were "kept in the dark" about the problems. It had been announced that concerns were raised months prior to the error being made that exam results would not be ready when expected but assurances continued to be provided that results would be issued on time and when expected.[29]
The crisis took several months to resolve, and several management figures including the Chief Executive, Ron Tuck, resigned or lost their jobs as a result.[30] Bill Morton became the new Chief Executive of the SQA, the organisations third in only five days, and upon his appointment said that the reassessing of exam results was his priority and that of the SQA.[29]
The ballot was held amongst a restricted electorate of Labour MSPs and members of Scottish Labour's national executive, because there was insufficient time for a full election to be held. McLeish defeated his rival Jack McConnell by 44 votes to 36 in the race to become the second first minister.[32]
Professor John Curtice, a prominent political analyst, commented that McLeish would not have the "kind of authority" that Donald Dewar enjoyed.[32] He travelled widely, particularly in the United States.[36] He managed several task forces designed to improve the competitiveness of Scottish industry, especially the PILOT project for Scottish oil and gas supply chains.
He was embarrassed when an open microphone recorded him with Helen Liddell in a television studio, describing Scottish Secretary John Reid as "a patronising bastard" and said of his colleague, Brian Wilson, "Brian is supposed to be in charge of Africa but he spends most of his time in bloody Dublin. He is a liability".[37]
Acts of Parliament
Whilst in government serving as first minister, McLeish oversaw and implemented the free personal care for the elderly scheme[38] as well as the implementation of the McCrone Agreement for education teachers in Scotland.[39]
McLeish travelled to the United States in April 2001 where he met with President of the United States, George W. Bush, in the Oval Office at the White House.[40] The following day, McLeish was criticised over his decision to appointment a Scottish ambassador to Washington D.C. which was described as "a threat to the future of the United Kingdom". McLeish announced that the role of the ambassador in the United States would be largely promoting Scotland and its image in the United States.[41]
The Scottish Executive later confirmed that the official in Washington D.C. would not take on the titles ambassador or consul, and that they would be instructed by the Scottish Executive to work in conjunction with the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington D.C.. Christopher Mayer, the British Ambassador to the United States, was consulted on the creation of the position within the Scottish Executive and was said to have "given the role his full support". McLeish pledged that the official would be in place by the end of 2001, and said that the appointment was "about the future and Scotland's continued modernisation as a dynamic, globally-connected nation where opportunity is extended to all and no-one is left out".[41]
During his tenure as first minister, McLeish conducted international visits in six countries – Italy and Belgium in December 2000, the United States in April 2001, a further two visits to Belgium in May and October 2001, Finland in September 2001, and Taiwan and Japan in October 2001.[42]
McLeish resigned as first minister in November 2001, amid a scandal involving allegations he sub-let part of his tax-subsidised Westminster constituency office without it having been registered in the register of interests kept in the Parliamentary office.[43] The press quickly dubbed the scandal "Officegate", and confirmed that McLeish had been sub–letting the office for most of his career whilst at Westminster.[43]
Though McLeish could not have personally benefited financially from the oversight, he undertook to repay the £36,000 rental income, and resigned to allow Scottish Labour a clean break to prepare for the 2003 Scottish Parliament election.[44] During his resignation speech to the Scottish Parliament on 8 November 2001, McLeish admitted wrongdoing in relation to the scandal but was critical of the role the media played in his decision to resign as first minister, stating that he was "suprised and dismayed that my family, friends, staff and colleagues have been brought into matters that are my responsibility alone".[43]
During his resignation address to the parliament, he received a standing ovation from members of his own party before stating that he believed "now was the time for someone else to lead us".[43] McLeish wrote a letter to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, David Steel, confirming his resignation and also notified the queen.[43]
Following his resignation as first minister, McLeish continued to serve as the MSP for Central Fife but did not seek re-election at the 2003 election[45] despite seeking support and 12 out of 13 required votes from the constituency Labour Party in 2002 for re–nomination as the candidate for the 2003 election.[46]
McLeish claimed that Scottish football was "underachieving, under performing and under funded" at a press conference to unveil the report.[2]
Public image and legacy
McLeish’s close working relationship with inaugural first minister Donald Dewar meant that, at the time of Dewar’s death, McLeish was regarded by many in the Press as Dewar’s continuity candidate.[48][49] A 2000 feature in The Economist described him variably as both “Labour’s next most experienced politician” and “too keen to be his [Dewar’s] deputy for Mr Dewar’s liking”.[48]
The same article portrayed McLeish as having a distant relationship with Labour’s leader in London, Tony Blair, but with a reputation for being a “moderniser” given his work alongside Donald Dewar in securing devolution.[48] His work on the foundational Devolution Bill secured him the nickname of “Mr. Devolution” in parliament.[49]
In contrast to “Dewar’s gregariousness”, however, The Economist described McLeish as “a bit of a loner” within the Scottish Parliament, “keeping his head down when there is trouble”.[48]The Scotsman described him as a “hard grafter”, commenting in length on his former career as a footballer.[49]
Despite denying intentional wrongdoing,[50] McLeish’s short tenure and rapid departure from office amid scandal likely dampened his public legacy. His successor, Jack McConnell, appeared keen “to remove the influence of … Henry McLeish” from the Scottish Government by sacking most of his ministerial appointees within days of entering office.[51]
Since resigning as an MSP in 2003, McLeish has kept an active profile within Scotland’s print media, writing on politics for The Scotsman,[52]The Herald,[53] and The National.[54]
Political views
Scottish devolution
As a strong devolutionist, he was one of the original signatories of the claim of right at the inaugural meeting of the 1989 Scottish constitutional convention which paved the way for devolution.
Scottish nationalism
In the run up to the referendum on Scottish independence on 18 September 2014, there was much media and public speculation towards whether McLeish backed a "No" vote to remain within the United Kingdom, or whether he supported a "Yes" vote in order to create an independent separate sovereign Scotland.
Speculation from the public came from media articles in which McLeish was reported to be talking negatively about the prospect of a "No" vote to remain within the union, but was later reported as stating it would be "near impossible" to vote Yes in the referendum.[55]
Following the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership, in which the majority of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, but the majority of the Scottish electorate voted to remain in the EU, McLeish has since claimed that he would support and campaign for an independent Scottish sovereign state and campaign for it to be a fully functioning member and participate fully within the European Union despite Brexit.[56] In September 2021, he reiterated that he would support independence if the union was not reformed.[57]
Adviser, Consultant and Facilitator to the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the European Monitoring Centre for Change, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Adviser and Consultant to the LEED Programme of the OECD in Paris, France, including visits to Austria, Italy, and Mexico
Consultant, in partnership with Jeremy Harrison, Cambridge (Public Value Partnership, working on new project development and evaluation of existing projects in the community and voluntary sector)
McLeish has four children. His first wife Margaret Drysdale, whom he had two children with, died in 1995 of stomach cancer. In 1998, he married Julie Fulton, a social worker for Fife Council.[72] They divorced in 2011 and the following year he married Karyn Nicholson.[73]
Notes
^Jim Wallace acted from 11 October 2000 to 26 October 2000
^Jim Wallace acted from 8 November 2001 to 27 November 2001
^Scottish Labour was known as the Labour Party in Scotland until the 2011 Murphy and Boyack review, when the title was changed to Leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
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