The Right Honourable The Lord Wallace of Tankerness PC QC |
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Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords | |
In office 15 October 2013 – 13 September 2016 |
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Leader |
Nick Clegg Tim Farron |
Preceded by | The Lord McNally |
Succeeded by | The Lord Newby |
Advocate General for Scotland | |
In office 14 May 2010 – 8 May 2015 |
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Prime Minister | David Cameron |
Preceded by | The Lord Davidson of Glen Clova |
Succeeded by | The Lord Keen of Elie |
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords | |
In office 14 May 2010 – 15 October 2013 |
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Prime Minister | David Cameron |
Preceded by | The Lord McNally |
Succeeded by | The Earl Howe |
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning | |
In office 21 May 2003 – 27 June 2005 |
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First Minister | Jack McConnell |
Preceded by | Iain Gray (Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning) |
Succeeded by | Nicol Stephen |
First Minister of Scotland Acting |
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In office 8 November 2001 – 22 November 2001 |
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Preceded by | Henry McLeish |
Succeeded by | Jack McConnell |
In office 11 October 2000 – 26 October 2000 |
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Preceded by | Donald Dewar |
Succeeded by | Henry McLeish |
Deputy First Minister of Scotland | |
In office 17 May 1999 – 23 June 2005 |
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First Minister |
Donald Dewar Henry McLeish Jack McConnell |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Nicol Stephen |
Minister for Justice | |
In office 7 May 1999 – 21 May 2003 |
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First Minister |
Donald Dewar Henry McLeish |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Cathy Jamieson |
Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats | |
In office 18 April 1992 – 23 June 2005 |
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Deputy | Michael Moore |
Preceded by | Malcolm Bruce |
Succeeded by | Nicol Stephen |
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Orkney |
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In office 6 May 1999 – 3 May 2007 |
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Preceded by | Constituency created |
Succeeded by | Liam McArthur |
Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland |
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In office 9 June 1983 – 7 June 2001 |
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Preceded by | Jo Grimond |
Succeeded by | Alistair Carmichael |
Personal details | |
Born |
Annan, Scotland, United Kingdom |
25 August 1954
Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Alma mater |
Downing College, Cambridge University of Edinburgh |
James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC (born 25 August 1954) is a British politician and former leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. He was formerly Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Member of Parliament (MP) for Orkney and Shetland, Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Orkney, the first Deputy First Minister of Scotland in the Scottish Executive and Advocate General for Scotland.
Lord Wallace was born in Annan in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and grew up there. As a boy, his first interest in politics was stoked when he collected autographs from politicians visiting the local area: he still possesses one from Tam Dalyell, with whom he later served in the House of Commons.
After finishing school in Annan he was accepted by Downing College, Cambridge, where he obtained a joint degree in Economics and Law, and was also rumoured to have been a member of the 'Three Kings' society. From there he returned to Scotland to read Law at Edinburgh University, graduating in 1977. Based in Edinburgh, he practised as an advocate at the Scottish Bar, mostly in civil law cases.