Ian Murray (Scottish politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian Murray
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport | |
| Assumed office 6 September 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | TBC |
| Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 5 July 2024 – 5 September 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Alister Jack |
| Succeeded by | Douglas Alexander |
| 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 | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Ian Murray (born 10 August 1976) is a Scottish politician. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh South since 2010. He served as the Secretary of State for Scotland from July 2024 to September 2025. Since September 2025, he has been a Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He is a member of the Labour Party.
Before becoming an MP, Ian Murray was a local councillor in Edinburgh from 2003 to 2010. He was also the only Labour Party MP representing a Scottish area for some periods, from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Ian Murray was born on 10 August 1976 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father was a barrel maker, and his mother worked in a shop. He grew up in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh and went to local schools there.
He studied Social Policy and Law at the University of Edinburgh. This means he learned about how society works and about rules and justice. While studying, he worked part-time in a local fish and chip shop. He also started and ran his own pizza delivery service.
Starting His Career
After university, Murray worked in pensions management for Royal Blind. This involved helping people plan for their retirement savings. Later, he helped build a new online TV station during the "dot-com boom." This was a time when many internet companies were starting up.
When that company faced difficulties, he started his own business called 100 mph Events Ltd. This company organized different events. Murray also helped organize a student exchange programme in Nepal. This program helped to fund school buildings and staff.
In 2003, at the age of 27, Murray was elected as a local councillor for Liberton in Edinburgh. He later represented a larger area called Liberton/Gilmerton from 2007 to 2010.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the 2010 general election, Ian Murray was elected as the MP for Edinburgh South. He won the seat with a majority of 316 votes. In 2011, he was appointed as a Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment. A Shadow Minister is part of the opposition party. Their job is to check the work of the government minister in charge of that area.
He was re-elected in the 2015 general election with more votes. At that time, he was the only Labour Party MP from Scotland.
Important Roles in Parliament
In May 2015, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. This meant he was the main spokesperson for the Labour Party on Scottish issues. He held this important role again from 2020 to 2024.
Murray was re-elected again in the 2017 general election with an even larger number of votes. Before the 2019 general election, he faced some challenges within his party. However, he was re-elected and was again the only Labour MP in Scotland after this election.
He was re-elected for Edinburgh South in the 2024 general election with a strong majority. In 2020, he ran to become the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. He received support from former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. He finished fourth in the election. After this, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland again by the new party leader, Keir Starmer. He also supported Anas Sarwar in the 2021 election for the leader of Scottish Labour.
Serving in the Government
After the Labour Party won the 2024 general election, Ian Murray was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer. This was a very important job in the government, similar to his previous "shadow" role.
In 2024, he made history by being the first serving Secretary of State to take paternity leave. This means he took time off work to care for his new baby after his second child was born.
In September 2025, he moved to a new role. He became a Minister of State in the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Political Views
During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Ian Murray campaigned for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. He is a member of the Fabian Society. This is a group that discusses ideas and policies for the Labour Party.
Interests and Family Life
Ian Murray is a big 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 worked to help buy the club. He stepped down in May 2015 to focus on his work as an MP.
He has two children. His daughter, Zola, was born in August 2020. His second child, Lois, was born in January 2025.
On 10 July 2024, he became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of important advisors to the King. Being a member means he can use the title "The Right Honourable".
