Gregor Mackenzie facts for kids

James Gregor Mackenzie (born November 15, 1927 – died May 4, 1992) was a British politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. This means he was part of a group that shared ideas about how to run the country. He served as a Member of Parliament for many years.

Early Life and Education

James Mackenzie went to college to study. He attended the Royal Technical College and the University of Glasgow. After his studies, he worked as a sales manager. This job involved leading a team that sold products.

He also became a local leader in Glasgow. From 1952, he was a councillor on Glasgow Corporation. A councillor helps make important decisions for the city and its people.

Becoming a Politician

James Mackenzie wanted to represent people in the UK Parliament. He first tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1950. He ran in an area called Aberdeenshire East. He tried again in 1959 in Kinross and Western Perthshire.

Representing Rutherglen

In 1964, James Mackenzie became an MP for Glasgow Rutherglen. This happened during a special election called a by-election. A by-election takes place when an MP leaves their job before the next main election. He continued to serve as an MP until he retired in 1987. This was at the time of the 1987 general election.

Government Roles

James Mackenzie also held important jobs in the government. From 1966, he was a Parliamentary Private Secretary. He worked for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This person is in charge of the country's money.

In the 1970s, he became a minister. A minister is a government leader responsible for a specific area. He worked at the Department of Industry. This department looked after businesses and factories. He also worked at the Scottish Office, which dealt with matters important to Scotland.