Rt. Hon Sir Menzies Campbell MP (Lib Dem, North East Fife) - Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Sir Menzies Campbell has been the Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife since the 1987 General Election which he won on his fourth campaign for Parliament. He was made Liberal Democrat Chief Spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Defence in 1992. He considered standing for the leadership of the Party in 1999 but ultimately decided against it. He was also one of twelve candidates for the position of Speaker of the House of Commons when Betty Boothroyd stood down in 2000, but he lost to Michael Martin. Sir Menzies replaced Alan Beith as Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader in February 2003 and in March 2006 he was elected Leader of the Liberal Democrats after the resignation of Charles Kennedy. He served in this position until he stood down in October 2007.
Born in Glasgow, Sir Menzies was education at Hillhead High School and the University of Glasgow where he was President of the Student Union and the University Liberal Club. Having become an accomplished sprinter at University, Sir Menzies competed for Great Britain in 4x100 metres relay at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He then went on to pursue a career in law, becoming a Queen’s Counsellor in 1982 and specialising in planning and licensing law. Since standing down from the leadership of his Party, Sir Menzies has returned to practicing law in Scotland as well as continuing to serve as an MP.
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