Willie Rennie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie Rennie
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Official portrait, 2016
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| Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats | |
| In office 17 May 2011 – 20 July 2021 |
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| Deputy | Jo Swinson Alistair Carmichael |
| Leader | Sir Nick Clegg Tim Farron Sir Vince Cable Jo Swinson Sir Ed Davey |
| Preceded by | Tavish Scott |
| Succeeded by | Alex Cole-Hamilton |
| Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Scotland | |
| In office 21 August 2019 – 6 January 2020 Serving with Jamie Stone
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| Leader | Jo Swinson Sir Ed Davey & Brinton/Pack |
| Preceded by | Christine Jardine |
| Succeeded by | Wendy Chamberlain |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Fife |
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| Assumed office 5 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Roderick Campbell |
| Majority | 7,448 (18.5%) |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife |
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| In office 5 May 2011 – 24 March 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Ted Brocklebank |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Stewart |
| Member of Parliament for Dunfermline and West Fife |
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| In office 9 February 2006 – 12 April 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Rachel Squire |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Docherty |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Cowan Rennie
27 September 1967 Fife, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish Liberal Democrats |
| Spouse | Janet Rennie (1992–present) |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Alma mater | Paisley College of Technology City of Glasgow College |
William Cowan Rennie (born 27 September 1967) is a Scottish politician. He was the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats political party from 2011 to 2021.
Willie Rennie has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for North East Fife since 2016. Before that, he was an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife area from 2011 to 2016. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Dunfermline and West Fife from 2006 to 2010.
After finishing college, Rennie worked as a campaigner for the Liberal Democrats. He also worked as a public relations consultant, helping businesses and charities. He became an MP in 2006 after winning a special election. He lost his MP seat in the 2010 general election. For a short time, he advised government ministers.
In May 2011, he was elected to the Scottish Parliament. He became the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats soon after. In 2016, he won the North East Fife seat. He was re-elected in 2021 but stepped down as party leader a few months later.
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Early Life and Education
Willie Rennie was born on 27 September 1967, in Fife, Scotland. His parents are Peta and Alexander Rennie. He grew up in a village called Strathmiglo. His family owned the village shop there. His mother was involved in the local community, and his grandfather was a church minister.
Rennie went to Bell Baxter High School in Cupar. He then studied biology at Paisley College of Technology. After that, he earned a diploma in Industrial Administration from City of Glasgow College.
Willie Rennie lives in Kelty with his wife, Janet. They have two sons, Alexander and Stephen. He enjoys running and is part of the PH Racing Club in Dunfermline. He also took part in the Scottish Coal-Carrying Championships in 2006. Rennie once ran a mile to raise money for a charity event called Sport Relief.
Starting His Political Journey
Early Career: 1990–2001
While at Paisley College, Willie Rennie was the deputy president of the student union. This was an early step into leadership. After college, he worked for the Liberal Democrats political party in England. He helped manage their campaigns.
He successfully managed a special election campaign in Dorset in 1993. After that, he led the party's campaigns in the South West England region for the 1997 General Election.
In 1997, he moved back to Scotland. He became the Chief Executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. From 1999 to 2001, he was the party's Chief of Staff in the new Scottish Parliament. This meant he helped manage the party's work in the parliament.
Working as a Consultant: 2001–2006
From 2001 to 2006, Rennie worked for a Scottish communications company. He helped advise different businesses and charities. For example, he worked with the Royal Society of Chemistry and Asthma UK. During this time, he also advised the Liberal Democrat group on Fife Council. He helped them with local issues in Dunfermline.
Becoming a Member of Parliament (MP)
Serving in the UK Parliament: 2006–2010
In 2006, a special election was held in Dunfermline and West Fife. This happened after the local MP, Rachel Squire, passed away. Willie Rennie decided to run for the seat. He won the election, even though his party was not expected to. He overturned a large lead held by the Labour Party.
As an MP, he worked on defence issues. He was part of the Liberal Democrat team that spoke about defence. He also chaired the party's parliamentary campaigns unit. He was a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee, which looks closely at defence matters.
In the 2010 General Election, Willie Rennie lost his seat. The Labour candidate, Thomas Docherty, won the election.
Advising the Government: 2010–2011
After losing his MP seat, Rennie became a special adviser. He worked for the new Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary, Michael Moore. A special adviser helps government ministers with their work and policies.
Leader in the Scottish Parliament
Elected MSP and Party Leader: 2011–2021
Willie Rennie returned to politics in May 2011. He won a seat in the Scottish Parliament for the Mid Scotland and Fife region. He was the only new Liberal Democrat MSP to win a seat in that election.
Soon after, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Tavish Scott, resigned. Willie Rennie decided to run for the leadership. He was the only person nominated, so he became the leader on 17 May 2011. He promised to challenge the majority party in parliament.
During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Rennie campaigned for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. He believes that Scotland should stay in the UK. He also does not support another independence vote.
In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the Liberal Democrats won five MSP seats. Willie Rennie won the North East Fife seat. He took this seat from the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Rennie was re-elected in North East Fife in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. He won with an even bigger lead. On 12 July 2021, he announced he would step down as leader. He was replaced by Alex Cole-Hamilton.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2016
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Willie Rennie speaking in 2013
