Parliament 1999-2003

Between May 1999 and May 2003 Michael Russell was an active front bencher in the Scottish Parliament, winning the Herald “Debater of the Year” award in 2001 and being shortlisted for both the Channel 4 and Herald “Scottish Politician of the Year” title in 2002. He was one of only three MSPs rated at “Five Stars” by “The Scotsman” at the end of the first Parliament.

In addition to his Shadow Cabinet roles he was a member of the Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee for the full four year term, a member of the Procedures Committee until Sept 2000, a founder member of the Parliamentary Bureau , an alternate member of the Standards Committee from 2002 and a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Scottish Executive from its establishment.

From his office in Ayr, working with his Constituency Assistant Joan Sturgeon he held regular surgeries and supported a wide range of individuals and groups. His best known campaign was that on behalf of the former policewoman, Shirley McKie, who had been wrongly accused of leaving her fingerprint at a murder scene.

As a South of Scotland Constituency MSP he issued a regular information newsletter to constituents, a sample copy of which can be read HERE.

He contested the Constituency Seat of Cunninghame South in 1999 and 2003 , where he was also a member of the local SNP branch.