Brian Adam

Brian James Adam (10 June 1948 – 25 April 2013) was a Scottish politician and biochemist. He served as a Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from 1999−2013.

Brian Adam

MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Aberdeen Donside
Aberdeen North (2003–2011)
North East Scotland (1999–2003)
In office
6 May 1999 – 25 April 2013
Preceded byElaine Thomson
2003 Aberdeen North
Succeeded byMark McDonald
Majority7,175 (26.9%)
Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief Whip
In office
25 May 2011 – 6 September 2012
First MinisterAlex Salmond
Preceded byBruce Crawford
Succeeded byJoe Fitzpatrick
Personal details
Born(1948-06-10)10 June 1948
Newmill, near Keith, Moray, Scotland
Died25 April 2013(2013-04-25) (aged 64)
Aberdeen, Scotland
Political partyScottish National Party
Spouse(s)Dorothy
Children5
Alma materUniversity of Aberdeen
ProfessionBiochemist, Trade Union Activist
Websitebrian adam msp.blogspot.com

He was an MSP for the North East Scotland region from 1999-2003, then for the Aberdeen North constituency from 2003-2011, for the Aberdeen Donside constituency from 2011 until his death in 2013. From 2007-2011, he was Chief Whip for the minority SNP Government and Co-Convener of the Oil and Gas Cross Party Group. He was the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief Whip from May 2011 to September 2012.

Background

Adam was born in Newmill, a hamlet near Keith, Moray, Banffshire in 1948.[1] He attended Keith Grammar School and obtained a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and a MSc in Clinical Pharmacology from University of Aberdeen. He began his career with Glaxo in Montrose, Angus from 1970-1973, before working as a biochemist at City Hospital, Aberdeen from 1973-1988.

From 1988, Adam worked as the principal biochemist in the National Health Service at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and was a trade union activist prior to his election to Holyrood in 1999. He had five children and three grandchildren. Adam lived in Aberdeen and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Brian Adam was also an avid follower of Aberdeen Football Club and attended the majority of their matches.

Political career

Brian Adam joined the Scottish National Party in 1974.

He served three terms as a councillor for Middlefield and Heathryfold on Aberdeen District Council (1988–1996) and on Aberdeen City Council from 1995 until his election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

He stood as a candidate for the Aberdeen North constituency at the 1997 general election for the House of Commons but Labour retained the seat with a majority of 10,000 votes.

Member of the Scottish Parliament

In the first election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, he contested Aberdeen North. Labour won the seat with a narrow majority of just 398 votes. Adam was elected from the regional list as the second North East Scotland regional MSP in 1999.[2]

At the 2003 election he stood for the Aberdeen North constituency, this time winning the seat from Labour with a majority of 457 votes.

He retained the seat at the 2007 election with a significantly increased majority of 3,749 votes, and then again in 2011 in the renamed Aberdeen Donside with an even larger majority of 7,175 votes.

After struggling with a long illness, his death from cancer was announced on 25 April 2013. Then-First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute to Adam as "an outstanding politician, fine human being and a dear friend."[3]

Spokesperson posts
  • May 1999 to September 2000 – Deputy Whip
  • September 2000 to April 2003 – Deputy Business Manager & Deputy Chief Whip
  • May 2003 to September 2004 – Deputy Party Spokesperson on Education & Lifelong Learning[4]
  • September 2004 – Deputy Party Spokesperson on Tourism[4]

Parliamentary posts

In June 2003 he became the Convener of the Standards Committee.[4]

See also
  • Government of the 4th Scottish Parliament

References
  1. Hannan, Martin (27 April 2013). "Obituary: Brian Adam MSP, politician and biochemist". The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  2. "Previous MSPs: Session 1 (1999-2003): Brian Adam". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  3. "Aberdeen SNP MSP Brian Adam dies aged 64". BBC News. 25 April 2013.
  4. "Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003-2007): Brian Adam". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  5. Whitelaw, Lynne (20 May 2011). "FM names new ministerial team". Holyrood. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
Scottish Parliament
Preceded by
Elaine Thomson		 Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen North
2003–2011		 Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen Donside
2011-2013		 Succeeded by
Mark McDonald
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