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.
He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for North East Fife since 2016. Before that, he was an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife from 2011 to 2016. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Dunfermline and West Fife from 2006 to 2010.
After finishing college, Willie Rennie worked as a campaigner for the Liberal Democrats. He then became a public relations consultant. He won a special election in 2006 to become an MP. He later lost this seat in the 2010 general election.
He then worked as an adviser for the government for a short time. In 2011, he was elected to the Scottish Parliament. Soon after, he became the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He was re-elected as an MSP in 2016 and 2021. He stepped down as party leader in 2021.
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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 Strathmiglo, where his family owned the village shop.
He attended Bell Baxter High School in Cupar, Fife. After high school, he studied at Paisley College of Technology, where he earned a degree in biology. He also received a diploma in Industrial Administration from City of Glasgow College.
Willie Rennie lives in Kelty with his wife, Janet. He has two sons. He once ran a mile to help raise money for Sport Relief, a charity event.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics: 1990–2001
While studying at Paisley College of Technology, Willie Rennie was the deputy president of his student union. After graduating, he worked for the Liberal Democrats in England. He helped manage political campaigns.
He was a successful campaign manager in a special election in 1993. After helping with campaigns in South West England in 1997, he moved back to Scotland. He became the Chief Executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 1997 to 1999. Then, he was the party's Chief of Staff in the new Scottish Parliament from 1999 to 2001.
Working in Communications: 2001–2006
From 2001 to 2006, Willie Rennie worked for a Scottish communications company called McEwan Purvis. He was an account director, helping businesses and charities with their public relations. Some of his clients included the Royal Society of Chemistry and Asthma UK.
During this time, he also advised the Liberal Democrat group on Fife Council. He worked with local councillors on issues in Dunfermline.
Becoming a Member of Parliament: 2006–2010
In 2006, a special election was held in Dunfermline and West Fife after the local MP passed away. Willie Rennie ran in this election on 9 February 2006. He won the seat, overcoming a large lead held by the Labour Party.
As an MP, he worked on defence issues. He also led the Liberal Democrats' parliamentary campaigns unit. He was a member of the Commons Defence Select Committee.
He campaigned on local issues important to his area. These included removing bridge tolls and improving cancer services at Queen Margaret Hospital. He also worked to protect local jobs.
In the general election on 6 May 2010, Willie Rennie lost his seat. The Labour candidate, Thomas Docherty, won the election.
Adviser Role: 2010–2011
After losing his MP seat, Willie Rennie became a Special Adviser. He worked for Michael Moore, who was the new Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary.
Elected MSP and Party Leader: 2011 Onwards
Willie Rennie returned to politics as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament elections on 5 May 2011. He won a regional seat for the Liberal Democrats in the Mid Scotland and Fife region. He was the only new Liberal Democrat MSP elected that year.
After the previous leader, Tavish Scott, resigned, Willie Rennie ran for leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He was the only person nominated, so he became leader on 17 May 2011. He promised to challenge the majority party in the Scottish Parliament.
During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Willie Rennie supported Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom. He believes in a more federal UK, where different parts of the country have more power. He does not support another independence referendum.
In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the Liberal Democrats elected five MSPs. Willie Rennie won the constituency seat of North East Fife. He took the seat from the Scottish National Party.
Willie Rennie was re-elected in North East Fife in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. His majority, or the number of votes he won by, doubled. On 12 July 2021, he announced he would step down as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Alex Cole-Hamilton became the new leader in September.
Plans for Home Rule
In September 2011, Willie Rennie announced plans for a special group. This group would work on ideas for "Home rule" for Scotland. Home rule means giving more power to Scotland to make its own decisions. This plan aimed to give Scotland more control over its own money and laws.
Supporting Armed Forces Legal Action
In April 2014, Willie Rennie became an honorary patron of Armed Forces Legal Action (AFLA). AFLA is a group of law firms in Britain. They offer legal help at a lower cost to people who are part of the British military.
