Brian Adam

Brian Adam MSP
File:Brian Adam MSP.jpg
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen Donside Aberdeen North (2003–2011) North East Scotland (1999–2003)
In office 6 May 1999 – 25 April 2013
Preceded by	Elaine Thomson 2003 Aberdeen North
Succeeded by	Mark McDonald
Majority	7,175 (26.9%)
Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief Whip
In office 25 May 2011 – 6 September 2012
First Minister	Alex Salmond
Preceded by	Bruce Crawford
Succeeded by	Joe Fitzpatrick
Personal details
Born	(1948-06-10)10 June 1948 Newmill, near Keith, Moray, Scotland
Died	Aberdeen, Scotland
Political party	Scottish National Party
Spouse(s)	Dorothy
Children	5
Alma mater	University of Aberdeen
Profession	Biochemist, Trade Union Activist
Religion	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Website	brian adam msp.blogspot.com

Brian Adam (10 June 1948 – 25 April 2013) was a Scottish politician. He served as the Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen Donside constituency.

He was an MSP for the North East Scotland region from 1999 to 2003 and for the Aberdeen North constituency from 2003 to 2011. From 2007 to 2011 he was Chief Whip for the minority SNP Government and Co-Convener of the Oil and Gas Cross Party Group. In 2011 he was appointed as Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief Whip

Background

Born in Newmill, a hamlet near Keith, Moray, Banffshire in 1948, he attended Keith Grammar School. He obtained an BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and a MSc in Clinical Pharmacology from University of Aberdeen. He began his career with Glaxo in Montrose, Angus from 1970 to 1973, before working as a biochemist at City Hospital, Aberdeen from 1973 to 1988.

From 1988, Adam worked as the principal biochemist in the National Health Service at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and was a trade union activist prior to his election in 1999. He was a father of five and has three grandchildren. He lived in Aberdeen and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Brian Adam was also an avid follower of Aberdeen Football Club and attended the majority of their games.

Political career

Brian Adam joined the SNP in 1974.

He served three terms as a councillor for Middlefield and Heathryfold on Aberdeen District Council (1988–1996) and on Aberdeen City Council from 1995 until his election to the Scottish parliament in 1999.

Member of the Scottish Parliament

In 1999 he contested Aberdeen North, reducing the Labour majority from 10,000 at the 1997 Westminster election to just 398.

He was elected as the second North East Scotland regional MSP in 1999 and went on to win the Aberdeen North constituency from Labour in the 2003 election with a majority of 457.

He held the constituency in the 2007 election with an increased majority of 3,749, and then again in 2011 in the renamed Aberdeen Donside with a majority of 7,175.

After struggling with a long illness, his death from cancer was announced on 25 April 2013. Then First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute to Adam as "an outstanding politician, fine human being and a dear friend."

Shadow Ministerial Posts

• May 1999 to September 2000 – Deputy Whip
• September 2000 to April 2003 – Deputy Business Manager & Deputy Chief Whip
• May 2003 to September 2004 – Shadow Deputy Minister for Education & Lifelong Learning
• September 2004 – Shadow Deputy Minister for Tourism

Parliamentary Posts

• June 2003 – Convener of the Standards Committee
• May 2007 – Chief Whip
• May 2011 – Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief Whip

See also

• Government of the 4th Scottish Parliament

External links

• Official Blog
• Brian Adam MSP Biography at the Scottish Parliament website
• They Work For You.com
• The Public Whip Voting Record

Scottish Parliament
Preceded by Elaine Thomson	Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen North 2003–2011	Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Preceded by Constituency created	Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen Donside 2011-2013	Succeeded by Mark McDonald