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Willie Rennie
Official Portrait of Willie Rennie MSP.jpg
Official portrait, 2016
Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
In office
17 May 2011 – 20 July 2021
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
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
Assumed office
5 May 2016
Preceded by Roderick Campbell
Majority 7,448 (18.5%)
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Mid Scotland and Fife
In office
5 May 2011 – 24 March 2016
Preceded by Ted Brocklebank
Succeeded by Alexander Stewart
Member of Parliament
for Dunfermline and West Fife
In office
9 February 2006 – 12 April 2010
Preceded by Rachel Squire
Succeeded by Thomas Docherty
Personal details
Born
William Cowan Rennie

(1967-09-27) 27 September 1967 (age 57)
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.

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 MSP
Willie Rennie speaking in 2013

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.

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