Alan Reid (politician)

Alan Reid (born 7 August 1954 in Ayr) is a Scottish politician. He was a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute, until losing his seat to the SNP in the 2015 general election. He was first elected at the 2001 general election.

Background

He was educated at Ayr Academy and the University of Strathclyde where he gained a BSc in Mathematics. Prior to his election to the House of Commons he worked for the University of Glasgow as a computer project manager.

He remains a member of the AUT (Association of University Teachers). He was a councillor on Renfrewshire District Council from 1988-96.

Parliamentary career

He contested Paisley South in a 1990 by-election and the 1992 general election and Dumbarton in 1997, before being elected for Argyll and Bute in 2001.

In the 2010 Parliament he served on the Scottish Affairs Committee.^[1] In the previous Parliament he was the Liberal Democrat spokesman for Northern Ireland Office and Scotland Office matters. He has also served as a Liberal Democrat Whip^[1]

During the MPs expenses scandal the Daily Telegraph drew attention to Reid's claims of over £1500 for stays in B&B's within his own constituency. Reid argued overnight stays were necessary where ferry timetables made it impossible to return to his constituency home, and said he had successfully challenged initially rejected expense claims by explaining the geography of Argyll and Bute.^[2]

References

External links

• Alan Reid MP official constituency website
• Alan Reid UK Parliament
• Argyll and Bute Liberal Democrats
• Contributions in Parliament at Hansard 1803–2005
• Voting record at Public Whip
• Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
• Profile at Westminster Parliamentary Record
• Alan Reid MP at BBC News Democracy Live