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Michael Jardine | |
|
Prime Minister of Scotland | |
| Predecessor | John Cunningham |
| Successor | Alex Wishart |
|
Prime Minister of Scotland | |
| Predecessor | John Cunningham |
| Successor | John Cunningham |
|
Prime Minister of Scotland | |
| Predecessor | John Cunningham |
| Successor | John Cunningham |
|
Leader of the Reform Party | |
| Predecessor | Kenneth Munro |
| Successor | TBD |
|
Minister of Justice | |
| Predecessor | TBD |
| Successor | TBD |
| Born | April 30, 1946 |
| Spouse | Mary Jardine |
| Political Party | Reform Party |
| Profession | Politician |
Michael Joshua Jardine (born April 30, 1946) is a Scottish conservative politician, he previously served as Prime Minister of Scotland on three occasions (1989-1990, 1991-1993, 1995-1999), he also served as Leader of the Reform Party from 1986 to 2001.
First elected to parliament in 1969, Jardine served in cabinet under Kenneth Munro as Minister for Justice (1978-80) before being promoted to Minister of Finance (1980-1981). He suceeded Munro as leader of the Reform Party in 1986, and formed a minority coalition government following the 1989 election. The government was defeated over its budget proposals, and following the subsequent election Labour were able to form a government.
Jardine led the Reform led coaliion back into government following the 1991 election. In October 1993 his government suddenly fell over a Finance Bill, and Labour formed a government without an election. The centre-right coalition returned to office following the 1995 election. The coalition were defeated at the 1999 election by the Labour Party led by Alex Wishart. Jardine remained leader of the Reform Party in opposition, until he was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2001.
He remained a backbench MP, and only narrowly held his seat at the 2003 general election. He subsequently sought to regain the party leadership, losing to David Joyce. He returned to the frontbench as shadow foreign affairs spokesman, but was dropped from the shadow cabinet following the rise of Karen King to the leadership.
He remains in parliament as a backbench MP, and is the current Father of the Parliament.
Early Life
Michael Joshua Jardine was born on April 30, 1946 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Malcolm (1911-1972) was a lawyer, and would later serve as Reform Party MP for Edinburgh Southern from 1957 until his death.