 | This article'sfactual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. The reason given is: Wilson is no longer co-convenor of the Edinburgh Greens. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2020) |
Bill Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Scottish Parliament forWest of Scotland (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) | |
| In office 3 May 2007 – 22 March 2011 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1963-12-11)11 December 1963 (age 61) Paisley, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish Green Party (since 2017) |
| Other political affiliations | Scottish National Party (1989–2017) |
DrWilliam Laurence Wilson (born 11 December 1963) is a formerScottish National Party (SNP) politician. He was a regional listMember of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for theWest of Scotland region from 2007 to 2011. He left the SNP in 2017 and now serves as co-convener of the Edinburgh Branch of theScottish Green Party.
Wilson was born inPaisley in 1963 and attendedShawlands Academy, theUniversity of Glasgow,University of Aberdeen, andQueen's University Belfast.[1][2] While living inOxford, employed in conservation by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and theUniversity of Oxford, he became politically involved with theLabour Party. Upon returning to his nativeScotland he became convinced of the case forScottish independence and that the Labour Party's commitment to social justice was waning. In 1989 he joined the Scottish National Party (SNP).[1]
He stood unsuccessfully as an SNP candidate for theHouse of Commons in theGlasgow Anniesland constituency in the1997 General Election before standing in theGlasgow Maryhill constituency in both the1999 and2003 Scottish Parliamentary elections. Wilson was also elected chair of the SNP's Glasgow Regional Association in 2001.
In the aftermath of the SNP's poor election performance in 2003, Wilson became convinced that a change of direction was needed by the SNP leadership. After discussing this with various SNP members, he was persuaded to contest the leadership himself and launched a challenge against the SNP leader,John Swinney.[1] His campaign focused on the issue of centralising the control of the party away from the branches and activists, and what he argued was the trend of placing the SNP ideologically in the centre ground of politics, away from the party's traditional position on the left-of-centre.
In the leadership contest that ensued at the SNP's 2003 Conference Swinney received 577 votes from those delegates voting to Wilson's 111 to remain leader. There were 17 "positive abstentions" (delegates present who voted in other ballots that day) and 60 non-voters. However, the following year Swinney resigned after sustained media speculation that he was unsuitable for the role. The immediate catalyst for Swinney's resignation was the SNP's poor performance in the elections to theEuropean Parliament, although many spectators commented that Wilson's challenge also contributed to his resignation.
Shortly after the leadership contest he stood down as convenor of the SNP Glasgow Regional Association and was replaced in that position by his leadership campaign manager. Wilson stood as the SNP candidate for thePaisley and Renfrewshire North constituency for the2005 UK general election. He finished in second place behindJames Sheridan of theLabour Party.
At the2007 Scottish Parliament election, Wilson stood in theWest Renfrewshire constituency and also on the party list for the West of Scotland region. In West Renfrewshire he came third, the SNP dropping behind the Conservatives who took second place to Labour. He was elected on the regional list and sworn in as a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Wilson's maiden speech to the Scottish Parliament, delivered on 6 June 2007, underlined his belief in the links between crime and deprivation and his commitment to social justice.[3]
His campaigns have included awareness of the negative health impact ofdepleted uranium on service personnel and civilians, equity fines for corporate crimes, as well as promotion ofScots language.
Following the 2017 General Election campaign Wilson left the SNP and subsequently joined theScottish Green Party. On 28 June 2018 he was elected Co-Convener of the Edinburgh Branch of the Scottish Greens, standing down in 2019. In the2021 Scottish Parliament election he stood on the Lothian List for the Scottish Green Party as the 10th of 12 candidates.[4] The party won two seats in the region.
After standing as a candidate for theScottish Green Party in the2021 Scottish Parliament election, Bill Wilson has remained active in party affairs but has not held national office. As of July 2025, he has not stood for or been elected to a leadership position in the party's ongoing leadership contest.[5]As of July 2025, he has not stood for or been elected to a leadership position in the party's ongoing leadership contest.[6]
