John Swinburne (Scottish politician)

John Swinburne (4 July 1930 – 1 October 2017)[1] was the founder of the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (SSCUP) and was that party's sole representative in the Scottish Parliament from 2003 until 2007.[2]

This article is about the founder of the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party. For the U.S. Representative from New York, see John Swinburne (New York politician).

John Swinburne
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Central Scotland
In office
1 May 2003 – 2 April 2007
Personal details
Born(1930-07-04)4 July 1930
Pennsylvania, United States
Died1 October 2017(2017-10-01) (aged 87)
Political partyScottish Senior Citizens Unity Party

Early life

Swinburne was born in Pennsylvania, United States. He was educated at Dalziel High School, Motherwell.

Political career

In 2003 he stood for election as the SSCUP candidate and gained a regional seat for Central Scotland.[3]

Swinburne called for reintroduction of the 'Belt' or 'Tawse' into Scottish schools, expressing the opinion that corporal punishment would solve what he believed were endemic discipline problems. In 2006 his statement was condemned by other MSPs and by the teaching union, the EIS.[4]

He stood for election again in the 2007 election but lost his seat, only polling 2% of the vote.[5][6]

In May 2009, at age 78, Swinburne announced he was planning to stand for the UK Parliament in the 2009 Glasgow North East by-election.[7] He later withdrew from this election, due to "unforeseen circumstances".[8]

Outside politics

He became a director of Motherwell Football Club in 2000 and held this position until 2015.[1]

He died on 1 October 2017.[1]

References
  1. "John Swinburne: 1930-2017" (Press release). Motherwell Football Club. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  2. Who's Who 2008: London, A & C Black, 2008 ISBN 978-0-7136-8555-8
  3. "Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003-2007): John Swinburne". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. "EIS rejects belt classroom call". BBC News. 7 June 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  5. "Scottish election: All Scotland Pensioner Party profile". BBC News. 13 April 2011.
  6. "Timeline: Scottish elections 2007". BBC News. 4 May 2007.
  7. "John Swinburne Confirms Candidacy for Glasgow By-election". STV News. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  8. "Greens launch by-election drive". BBC News. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
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