Jack McConnell is the longest serving First Minister of Scotland. He served as First Minister from 2001 to 2007.
He was appointed to the House of Lords on 28 June 2010, as Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale. His parliamentary interests include peacebuilding, international development, and opportunities and support for vulnerable youngsters.
Lord McConnell was the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Peacebuilding from 2008 to 2010.
As First Minister, he refreshed Scotland’s International Image, established the Fresh Talent Initiative, and Scotland’s International Development policy, including the unique co-operation agreement with Malawi.
He introduced Scotland’s ban on smoking in public places and a national youth volunteering programme, Project Scotland.
He served as Scotland’s Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs from 2000 to 2001 and he was Minister for Finance from 1999 to 2000.
Jack was Education Adviser to the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative in Malawi and Rwanda.
Lord McConnell was born in Irvine in 1960, and grew up on a sheep farm on the Isle of Arran. He was educated at Arran High School, and graduated from the University of Stirling. He was a Mathematics teacher, a member of the Scottish Constitutional Convention and General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party.