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 | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Ian Murray (born 10 August 1976) is a British politician. He has been the Secretary of State for Scotland since July 2024. This means he is a government minister responsible for Scottish affairs.
He is a member of the Labour Party. He has also been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh South since 2010. Before his current role, he was the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland from 2015 to 2016 and again from 2020 to 2024.
From 2003 to 2010, Ian Murray was a local councillor for the City of Edinburgh Council. He was the only Labour Party MP representing a Scottish area for several years. This happened 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 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. Later, he studied Social Policy and Law at the University of Edinburgh. He earned an M.A. Hons. degree. While at university, he worked part-time in a local fish & chip shop. He also started his own pizza delivery service.
After University
After graduating, Murray worked in pensions management for a company called Royal Blind. He then helped build a new 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 programme in Nepal. This program helped raise money to build schools and pay staff there.
Starting in Politics
In 2003, Ian Murray ran in the local elections for Liberton. He won the seat for the Labour party when he was 27 years old. He later represented a larger area called Liberton/Gilmerton from 2007 to 2010.
Parliamentary Career
At the 2010 general election, Ian Murray was elected as the MP for Edinburgh South. He won the seat with 34.7% of the votes.
In 2011, he became a Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment. This role meant he was part of the opposition party's team, focusing on business and trade.
Re-elections and Key Roles
In the 2015 general election, Murray was re-elected as MP for Edinburgh South. He got more votes and had a larger lead. He was the only Scottish Labour MP elected that year.
On 11 May 2015, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. He kept this role when Jeremy Corbyn became the new Labour leader in September 2015.
He was re-elected again in the 2017 general election with an even larger lead. In the 2019 general election, he was re-elected once more. After this election, he was again Labour's only MP in Scotland.
Ian Murray was re-elected for Edinburgh South in the 2024 general election. He won with 53.3% of the votes and a lead of 17,251.
Views on Scottish Independence
During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Ian Murray campaigned against Scotland becoming independent. He reported facing some unfriendly actions from people who supported independence.
Shadow Cabinet Roles (2015–2024)
In January 2016, some shadow ministers resigned from their roles. Ian Murray also resigned on 26 June 2016. He said he did not have confidence in the Labour leader's ability to win a general election.
He later supported Owen Smith in a leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn. After Corbyn was re-elected, Murray said he would only return to a frontbench role if certain changes were made.
On 7 January 2020, Murray announced he would run to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. He received support from former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. He finished in fourth place. After this, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland again by the new party leader, Keir Starmer.
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 role is a senior government position. He was appointed by the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer.
In 2024, Ian Murray became the first serving Secretary of State to take paternity leave. This happened after his second child was born.
Personal Life
Ian Murray is a big fan of the Edinburgh-based football team Hearts. He used to be the Chair of the 'Foundation of Hearts'. This group was a fan-led effort to buy the club when it was in financial trouble. He stepped down from this role in May 2015 to focus on his work as an MP.
On 20 August 2020, his partner Mariam gave birth to their daughter, Zola. In January 2025, Murray announced the birth of his second child, Lois.
On 10 July 2024, Murray became a member of the Privy Council. This means he can use the title "The Right Honourable" for the rest of his life.
