Gordon Jackson (politician)

Gordon Jackson QC
Gordon Jackson pictured at the SECC giving his candidate speech after losing the Glasgow Govan seat to Nicola Sturgeon.
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Govan
In office 1999 – 2 April 2007
Preceded by	Constituency created
Succeeded by	Nicola Sturgeon
Personal details
Born	William Gordon Jackson 5 August 1948
Political party	Labour
Spouse(s)	Anne Stevely
Alma mater	University of St Andrews
Profession	Advocate

This article is about the politician. For the Scottish actor, see Gordon Jackson (actor).

(William) Gordon Jackson (born 5 August 1948) is a Scottish Labour Party politician and lawyer. He was the MSP for Glasgow Govan from 1999 to 2007.

Early life

Jackson was educated at Ardrossan Academy and studied Law at the University of St Andrews. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1979 and served as an Advocate Depute from 1987 to 1990. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Lincoln's Inn) in 1989, and appointed Queen's Counsel in Scotland in 1990.

Political career

Jackson was elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 1999 election representing Glasgow Govan. Whilst serving as a member, he continued to undertake work at the Bar, provoking criticism in some quarters. He was reputedly nicknamed "Crackerjack", for repeatedly arriving at Parliament just before the 5pm vote; the name was a reference to the children's programme, Crackerjack, which famously started at 4.55pm.^[1] He was defeated in the 2007 election by Scottish National Party Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Legal career

Jackson continues to practice at the Scottish Bar. He has been tipped to become a Senator of the College of Justice by the Sunday Herald,^[2] although was not unsuccessful in the most recent round of appointments.

Personal life

Jackson married Anne Stevely in 1972, with whom he has a son and two daughters. He is an Honorary Vice-President of English-Speaking Union Scotland.

References

1. "Two jobs MSP vows to give up law". BBC News Online. 8 July 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
2. "Male, white, middle class, privately educated, Edinburgh resident, New Club member ... is it time to change the face of the Scottish judiciary?". Sunday Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2009.