Jean Turner

Jean Turner
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Strathkelvin and Bearsden
In office 1 May 2003 – 2 April 2007
Preceded by	Brian Fitzpatrick
Succeeded by	David Whitton
Personal details
Born	23 December 1939 Glasgow, Scotland
Political party	Independent
Profession	Medical doctor

Jean McGivern Turner (born 23 December 1939 in Glasgow) is a former Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament for Strathkelvin and Bearsden.

Prior to her election, Turner was a General practitioner in the Springburn area in Glasgow for 25 years. Before that, she was an anaesthetist for ten years. She was lured to seek political office due to an proposed cut to services at Stobhill Hospital. Turner also campaigned against Labour's treatment of the NHS. Because of this, she stood as a candidate in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden Holyrood by-election of 2001. In that race, she finished second with 7,572 votes or 18%.^[1] In the 2003 Scottish parliamentary elections, she stood again in Strathkelvin and Bearsden on the same platform she used in 2001.^[2] This time, Turner won the seat with 10,988 votes or 31%. ^[3] This win prompted her opponent, Labour MSP Brian Fitzpatrick, to remark:

"Narrow win, big win, whatever, it is still a disappointment, but we are coming back for this seat." ^[3]

She sat on the Health committee during her time as a MSP.^[4]

Jean Turner stood for re-election at the Scottish Parliament election, 2007 in May, but lost her seat to the Labour candidate, David Whitton.

See also

Other doctors elected on similar platforms:

• Richard Taylor
• Kieran Deeny

References

1. "SCOTLAND | Hospital campaign shakes by-election". BBC News. 8 June 2001. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
2. "GP in hospitals election fight". BBC News. 7 October 2002.
3. "UK | Scotland | Independents head to Holyrood". BBC News. 2 May 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
4. "Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003-2007): Jean Turner". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 17 August 2014.