About Ross Finnie

Liberal Democrat MSP for West of Scotland

Ross Finnie serves as the Liberal Democrats Shadow Secretary for Health in the Scottish Parliament, and as Deputy Convener of the Health and Sport committee.

Ross Finnie was Born on the 11th of February 1947 in Greenock, Ross lives in Greenock with his wife and has a grown up daughter and son, Ross also has one Grandson.

Ross was previously a self-employed chartered accountant and a financial adviser, Ross was a councillor in Inverclyde from 1977 to 1999. Ross previously chaired the Scottish Liberals before chairing the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Ross stood for election to the Scottish Parliament at the first elections in 1999.He came second in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency, but was elected as an additional member for the West of Scotland region, Ross was re-elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2003 and 2007.

Following the 1999 election the Scottish Liberal Democrats entered into a coalition agreement with the Scottish Labour Party, gaining 2 seats in the Scottish Cabinet. Ross was appointed Minister for Rural Develpment in the first Scottish Cabinet, by the then first Minister Donald Dewar, Ross retained his position in cabinet since 1999 until the Labour-Liberal Government lost power in 2007, making Ross the longest serving member of the Scottish Cabinet other than that of Jack McConnell who was the First Minister.

Ross is a member of the following committees:

-Deputy convener of the Health and Sport Committee

-Substitute Member of the Finance Committee

Political History

2007-Scottish Parlimentary Candidate- Greenock and Inverclyde. Third Place

2003-Scottish Parliamentary Candidate- Greenock and Inverclyde. Second Place

1999-Scottish Parliamentary Candidate- Greenock and Inverclyde. Second Place

1998-99 Member Scottish Parliament Election Campaign Committee

1998-99 Chair Scottish Parliamentary Candidates Vetting Panel

1995-97 Chair Scottish General Election Campaign

1995-99 Councillor- Inverclyde Council

1977-96 Councillor- Inverclyde District Council

1983 Parliamentary Candidate Stirling- Third Place

1982-86 Chair- Scottish Liberal Party

1979 Parliamentary Candidate West Renfrewshire- Fourth Place

1977- to Date Member of the Executive of Inverclyde Local Party