Ian Murray (Scottish politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian Murray
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| Assumed office 5 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Alister Jack |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 6 April 2020 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Tony Lloyd |
| Succeeded by | John Lamont |
| In office 11 May 2015 – 26 June 2016 |
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| Leader |
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| Preceded by | Margaret Curran |
| Succeeded by | Dave Anderson |
| Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment | |
| In office 7 October 2011 – 8 May 2015 |
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| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Doughty |
| Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South |
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| Assumed office 6 May 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Nigel Griffiths |
| Majority | 17,251 (36.8%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 August 1976 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish Labour |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Ian Murray (born 10 August 1976) is a Scottish politician. He has been the Secretary of State for Scotland since July 2024. He is a member of the Labour Party.
Since 2010, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh South. An MP represents a specific area, called a constituency, in the UK Parliament. Before his current role, he was the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland from 2015 to 2016 and again from 2020 to 2024.
Murray was also a local councillor for the City of Edinburgh Council from 2003 to 2010. He was the only Labour MP from Scotland for several years, from 2015 to 2017 and from 2019 to 2023.
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Early Life and Career
Ian Murray was born on 10 August 1976 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father was a cooper (someone who makes barrels) and his mother worked in a shop. He grew up in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh. He went to Dumbryden Primary School and then Wester Hailes Education Centre.
Murray studied Social Policy and Law at the University of Edinburgh. He earned a Master of Arts degree. While at university, he worked part-time in a fish and chip shop. He also started his own pizza delivery service.
After university, Murray worked in pensions management for Royal Blind. He then helped build an online TV station during the early days of the internet. When that company ran out of money, he started his own event management business. He also organized a student exchange program in Nepal to help fund school buildings.
In 2003, Murray was elected as a local councillor for Liberton in Edinburgh. He was 27 years old. He later represented the larger Liberton/Gilmerton ward until 2010.
Parliamentary Career
Ian Murray became an MP in the 2010 United Kingdom general election. He won the seat for Edinburgh South. In 2011, he became a Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment. This means he was part of the opposition party's team, challenging the government on trade issues.
He was re-elected as MP for Edinburgh South in the 2015 United Kingdom general election. After this election, he was the only Labour MP from Scotland. He was then appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. This role involves holding the government accountable for Scottish affairs.
Murray was re-elected again in the 2017 United Kingdom general election and the 2019 United Kingdom general election. After the 2019 election, he was once again the only Labour MP in Scotland. He was re-elected for a fifth time in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.
Views on Scottish Independence
During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Ian Murray campaigned against Scotland becoming independent from the UK. He believed Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom.
Roles in the Shadow Cabinet
In 2016, there were some changes within the Labour Party's leadership. Murray, along with other members of the Shadow Cabinet, resigned from their roles. This was due to disagreements with the party leader at the time, Jeremy Corbyn. Murray said he didn't think Corbyn could win a general election.
In 2020, Murray ran to become the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. He had support from former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. He finished in fourth place. After this, the new party leader, Keir Starmer, appointed him as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland again.
Secretary of State for Scotland (2024–present)
After the Labour Party won the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Ian Murray was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland. This is a senior government role. He is now part of the UK government's cabinet, led by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer. This position is similar to his previous shadow role, but now he is in charge of the actual government department.
Personal Life
Ian Murray is a fan of the Edinburgh football team Hearts. He used to be the Chair of the 'Foundation of Hearts'. This was a group of fans who tried to buy the club when it was having financial problems. He stepped down from this role in 2015 to focus on his work as an MP.
In August 2020, Ian Murray and his partner Mariam had a daughter named Zola.
On 10 July 2024, Murray became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of senior advisors to the King. Being a member means he can use the title "The Right Honourable" for life.
