David Mundell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Mundell
WS MP
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 11 May 2015 – 24 July 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | David Cameron Theresa May |
| Preceded by | Alistair Carmichael |
| Succeeded by | Alister Jack |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 14 May 2010 – 11 May 2015 |
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| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Ann McKechin |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Dunlop |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 7 December 2005 – 11 May 2010 |
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| Leader | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Eleanor Laing |
| Succeeded by | Jim Murphy |
| Member of Parliament for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale |
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| Assumed office 5 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Majority | 4,242 (9.6%) |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for South of Scotland (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) |
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| In office 6 May 1999 – 5 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Derek Brownlee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Gordon Mundell
27 May 1962 Dumfries, Scotland |
| Political party |
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| Spouse |
Lynda Carmichael
(m. 1987; div. 2012) |
| Children | 3, including Oliver |
| Alma mater |
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David Gordon Mundell (born 27 May 1962) is a Scottish politician. He is a member of the Conservative Party. Since 2005, he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.
Mr. Mundell also served as the Secretary of State for Scotland from 2015 to 2019. Before becoming an MP, he was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the South of Scotland region from 1999 to 2005. He has held several important roles in government and opposition.
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Early Life and Education
David Mundell was born on 27 May 1962 in Dumfries, Scotland. He grew up in the areas of Newton Wamphray and Lockerbie. He went to Lockerbie Academy for his schooling.
After school, he studied Law at the University of Edinburgh. He earned a Master of Arts degree and a Diploma in Legal Practice. This education helped him become a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer.
When he was 14, David Mundell joined the Young Conservatives. Later, while at university in 1981, he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He returned to the Conservative Party in 1988.
Before becoming a full-time politician, Mr. Mundell worked as a solicitor. In 1991, he joined BT, a large telecommunications company. He worked there as a legal advisor and later as Head of National Affairs for BT Scotland. He stayed with BT until he was elected as an MSP.
Political Career Beginnings
David Mundell started his political journey at a local level. From 1984 to 1986, he was a Councillor on the Annandale and Eskdale District Council. He represented the Dryfe ward.
After that, he served on the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council until 1987. He represented the Mid Annandale ward. These roles helped him gain experience in local government.
In 1999, David Mundell was first elected to the Scottish Parliament. He became a Conservative MSP for the South of Scotland region. He was re-elected for this role in 2003.
Serving in the UK Parliament
In the 2005 general election, David Mundell was elected to the UK Parliament. He became the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale. He won with 36.2% of the votes.
After becoming an MP, he left his role in the Scottish Parliament in June 2005. As the only Conservative MP from Scotland at the time, he was given an important role. David Cameron, who was the leader of the opposition, made him the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland in December 2005.
Mr. Mundell was re-elected as MP for his constituency in the 2010 general election. His share of the vote increased to 38%. After this election, he was appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. This was a government role, but not part of the main Cabinet. In June 2010, he also became a Privy Counsellor.
He was re-elected again in the 2015 general election. His vote share increased to 39.8%.
In July 2015, David Mundell became the Secretary of State for Scotland. This is a senior government position. He was the first Conservative to hold this job since 1997. He served in this role until July 2019.
During the Brexit referendum, Mr. Mundell supported Britain staying in the European Union. After the vote, he joined a government committee. This committee worked on plans for Britain's departure from the EU.
He was re-elected in the snap 2017 general election with an increased vote share. He was also re-elected in the 2019 general election.
In August 2021, he was appointed as the UK's trade envoy to New Zealand. He resigned from this position in July 2022. He was re-elected as an MP in the 2024 general election.
Personal Life
David Mundell was married to Lynda Jane Carmichael from 1987 until their divorce in 2012. He has three children. One of his children, Oliver Mundell, is also a politician. Oliver is a Conservative MSP for Dumfriesshire. He won his seat in the Scottish Parliament in May 2016.
