Sir Alister Jack | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 24 July 2019 – 5 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Boris Johnson Liz Truss Rishi Sunak |
| Preceded by | David Mundell |
| Succeeded by | Ian Murray |
| Lord Commissioner of the Treasury | |
| In office 23 April 2019 – 24 July 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Theresa May |
| Preceded by | Craig Whittaker |
| Succeeded by | Colin Clark |
| Member of Parliament forDumfries and Galloway | |
| In office 8 June 2017 – 30 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Arkless |
| Succeeded by | John Cooper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alister William Jack (1963-07-07)7 July 1963 (age 61) Dumfries, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish Conservatives |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Heriot-Watt University |
Sir Alister William JackKBE DL (born 7 July 1963)[1] is a Scottish politician who served asSecretary of State for Scotland from 2019 to 2024. A member of theScottish Conservatives, he served asMember of Parliament (MP) forDumfries and Galloway from 2017 to 2024.[2][3][4]
Alister Jack was born on 7 July 1963 inDumfries, Scotland.[5] to David and Jean Jack. His mother Jean wasLord Lieutenant of Dumfries from 2006 to 2016. He was raised inDalbeattie andKippford, and was educated at Dalbeattie Primary School, atCrawfordton House – a private prep school nearMoniaive, Dumfriesshire – and then atGlenalmond College, an all-boysprivate boarding school.[5] He then attendedHeriot-Watt University.[6]
Jack is a businessman, having founded tent-hire and self-storage companies, the latter building his fortune of £20 million. He currently owns a farm of 1,200 acres (500 hectares) in Courance, nearLockerbie.[7][6][8] He formerly chaired the River Annan Fishery Board and Trust, Fisheries Management Scotland and Galloway Woodlands.[9][10]
At the1997 general election, Jack stood inTweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale, coming third with 22.1% of the vote behind theLiberal Democrat candidateMichael Moore and theLabour candidate.[11]
Jack was elected to Parliament at the snap2017 general election as MP forDumfries and Galloway with 43.3% of the vote and a majority of 5,643.[12][13]
Once in Parliament, Jack was a member of theTreasury Select Committee from 2017-2019.[3]
On 16 February 2018, he signed a letter toTheresa May, making suggestions about the way the United Kingdom should leave theEuropean Union.[14]
Jack was appointedparliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the Leader of the House of Lords on 31 August 2018,[15] a position he held until he was appointed anAssistant Government Whip on 20 February 2019.[16]
On 23 April 2019 he was appointedLord Commissioner of the Treasury, a role in the Government Whips Office.[16]
Jack was appointed asSecretary of State for Scotland byBoris Johnson on 24 July 2019.[17] Jack was the first MP of the 2017 intake to join the Cabinet.[18]
At the2019 general election, Jack was re-elected as MP for Dumfries and Galloway with an increased vote share of 44.1% and a decreased majority of 1,805.[19][20][21]
He was reappointed to theTruss ministry in September 2022.[22]
On 10 September 2022, Jack attended the Accession Council and Principal Proclamation for His Majesty King Charles III at St James's Palace, London. Jack signed the Official Proclamation and witnessed His Majesty's Oath relating to the security of the Church of Scotland.[23]
On 15 September 2022, as a member of theRoyal Company of Archers, Jack and fellow Cabinet MinisterBen Wallace stood vigil atQueen Elizabeth II's coffin.[24]
On 17 January 2023, Jack exercised the Section 35 power granted to him as Secretary of State for Scotland in the 1998 Scotland Act[25] and stopped the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent.[26][27]
On 17 May 2023, he announced he would stand down at the2024 general election.[28]
Appearing at the COVID-19 Inquiry in Edinburgh on 1 February 2024, Jack was asked about Nicola Sturgeon’s testimony, where she became emotional, that she was able to put aside her views on Scottish independence when making decisions during the pandemic. He dismissed this and responded that he did not believe her. Jack went on to remark that Nicola Sturgeon “could cry from one eye if she wanted to”.[29][30]
Jack married Ann Hodgson in 1987. They have a son and two daughters.[5][10]
Jack was sworn as a member of thePrivy Council on 25 July 2019, on his appointment as Secretary of State for Scotland.[31] He is a formerdeputy lieutenant for thelieutenancy area ofDumfries.[32] On 4 July 2024, Jack was appointedKnight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the2024 Dissolution Honours for political and public service.[33][34]
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| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forDumfries and Galloway 2017–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Secretary of State for Scotland 2019–2024 | Succeeded by |
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| Secretaries of state for Scotland 1707–1746 | .svg) | |
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| Secretaries for Scotland 1885–1926 | ||
| Secretaries of state for Scotland (pre-devolution) 1926–1999 | ||
| Secretaries of state for Scotland (post-devolution) 1999–present | ||
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