Pete Wishart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pete Wishart MP
Official portrait, 2017
Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 July 2024
Leader	Stephen Flynn
Preceded by	Mhairi Black
Chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee
In office 19 June 2015 – 30 May 2024
Preceded by	Ian Davidson
Succeeded by	Patricia Ferguson
Member of Parliament for Perth and Kinross-shire Perth and North Perthshire (2005–2024) North Tayside (2001–2005)
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 June 2001
Preceded by	John Swinney
Majority	4,127 (8.2%)
Scottish National Party portfolios
2015–2020	Commons Business
2020–2021	Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Cabinet Office
2021–2022	Commons Business
Personal details
Born	(1962-03-09) 9 March 1962 (age 63) Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Political party	Scottish National Party
Children	1
Alma mater	Moray House College of Education
Profession	Musician; community worker
Website	www.petewishartmp.com
Musical career
Origin	Scotland
Instruments	Keyboards
Years active	1981–present
Associated acts	Big Country Runrig MP4

Peter Wishart (born 9 March 1962) is a Scottish politician and musician. He is a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP). He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Perth and Kinross-shire since 2024. Before that, he was the MP for Perth and North Perthshire (2005–2024) and North Tayside (2001–2005).

Mr. Wishart is currently the SNP Shadow Leader of the House in the House of Commons. He also chairs the Scottish Affairs Select Committee. He used to be a keyboard player for the Scottish bands Runrig and Big Country.

He is the longest-serving SNP MP right now. He is the second longest-serving SNP MP ever, after Alex Salmond.

About Pete Wishart

Pete Wishart was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, in 1962. He went to Queen Anne High School Dunfermline and Moray House College in Edinburgh.

He lives in Perth and has one son. He enjoys walking in the Perthshire hills. Before becoming an MP, he worked as a community worker. He was also a director for a charity called Fast Forward. This charity helps young people live healthy lives.

His brother, Alan Wishart, is also a musician. He plays the bass guitar.

Pete Wishart's Music Career

Pete Wishart has had a long career in music. He played keyboards in several well-known Scottish bands.

Early Bands and Runrig

One of Pete Wishart's first major bands was Big Country. He joined them in the early 1980s with his brother, Alan. They even toured as a support act for Alice Cooper.

In 1986, Pete Wishart joined the Scottish band Runrig. He played with Runrig for 15 years. He performed on seven of their studio albums, from The Cutter and the Clan (1987) to The Stamping Ground (2001). He also played on many of their live albums. During his time, Runrig became very popular.

MP4: The Parliamentary Band

Pete Wishart is also a founder member of a special rock group called MP4. This band is made up of politicians! The other members are Ian Cawsey (bass and vocals), Greg Knight (drums), and Kevin Brennan (lead guitar and vocals).

Pete Wishart in Parliament

Pete Wishart was first elected to the House of Commons in 2001. He took over the seat of North Tayside.

Early Roles and Campaigns

As an MP, he served as the SNP's Chief Whip. This role means he helped make sure SNP MPs voted together. He pushed for smaller political parties to have more rights in Parliament. He also supported extending copyright terms for artists.

In 2003, he voted against the plan to invade Iraq. This was a big decision for many MPs.

Changing Constituencies

In 2005, the boundaries of his local area changed. He then won the new area of Perth and North Perthshire for the SNP. He won by a small number of votes. This new area included the City of Perth. He also joined the Scottish Affairs Select Committee. This committee looks at issues affecting Scotland.

Key Moments as an MP

In 2010, Mr. Wishart suggested that Scottish football referees should say which football teams they support.

In 2014, he spoke about a TV debate on Scottish independence. He thought Alex Salmond would win easily. However, an exit poll showed that most viewers thought Alistair Darling won the debate.

In 2015, he led a debate about changing the House of Lords. This is the second chamber of the UK Parliament.

Mr. Wishart is well known for wanting to knock down the old Perth City Hall. He believes a new open square would be better for the city. He said the building was "unused, unloved and increasingly unwelcome." He thinks a city square would help attract visitors and host events.

After the 2015 election, he became the chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee.

In the 2017 election, he won his seat again by only 21 votes. This was a very close election!

In 2016, he suggested that the Palace of Westminster (where Parliament meets) could become a tourist attraction. He thought Parliament could move to a more modern building.

In 2017, he said that voters were tired of big changes. He suggested there should not be another vote on Scottish independence for a while. He also said that federalism for the UK should be considered. Federalism means power is shared between a central government and regional governments.

In 2018, he held up a "nul points" sign in the House of Commons. This was after he asked the Prime Minister how she would rate her government's handling of Brexit. The Speaker of the House warned him for this action.

He also warned that the SNP should listen to Scottish voters who wanted to leave the European Union. He suggested a plan for Scotland to rejoin the EU step-by-step, but only with the full agreement of an independent Scottish Parliament.

In 2024, he spoke about the election strategy of Humza Yousaf, the leader of the SNP.

Discography

Pete Wishart has been part of many music recordings.

Singles and EPs

Kingfishers Catch Fire

• "Radio Kampala" EP: on "Bella"/"Battle Scars" tracks, 12" vinyl EP, 1986 Furry/Rough Trade "Bella"/"Battle Scars", 12" vinyl EP, 1986 Furry/Rough Trade

Runrig

• Alba / Worker for the Wind (1987), Chrysalis Records
• Protect and Survive (1988), Chrysalis Records
• "News from Heaven" (1989), Chrysalis Records
• "Every River" (1989), Chrysalis Records
• "Wonderful"(1993), Chrysalis Records
• "The Greatest Flame" (1993), Chrysalis Records
• "This Time of Year" (1994), Chrysalis Records
• "An Ubhal as Àirde" (1995, Released following use of track in TV advert for Carlsberg lager), Chrysalis Records
• "Things That Are" (1995), Chrysalis Records
• "Rhythm of My Heart" (1996, Cover of Rod Stewart song), Chrysalis Records
• "The Greatest Flame (1996 Remix)", Chrysalis Records
• "The Message" (1999), Chrysalis Records
• "Maymorning" (1999), Chrysalis Records
• "This Is Not a Love Song" (1999), Chrysalis Records
• "Book of Golden Stories" (2001), Chrysalis Records
• "Loch Lomond (Hampden Remix)" (2007, with Tartan Army), Chrysalis Records

MP4

• You Can't Always Get What You Want (2016) Chrysalis Records (track released under the artist title 'The Friends of Jo Cox' and features MP4 with other artists)

EPs

Runrig

• "Capture the Heart EP" (1990), Chrysalis Records
• "Hearthammer EP" (1991), Chrysalis Records
• "Flower of the West EP" (1991), Chrysalis Records

Studio albums

Runrig

MP4

• House Music EP (2005) Busy Bee Records
• Cross Party (2010) Revolver Records
• MP4 – EP5 (2018) Revolver Records

Live albums

Runrig

Note: This table shows commercial live releases. Other live audio material has been released in the "Access All Areas" series for the official Runrig Fan Club.

Compilation albums

Big Country

• And in the Beginning

Runrig

• Alba – The Best of Runrig
• Long Distance – The Best of Runrig'
• The Gaelic Collection (1998)
• Beat The Drum (1998)
• 30 Year Journey – The Best (2005)
• 50 Great Songs
• Stepping Down The Glory Road – The Chrysalis Years
• Rarities