Michael Connarty

Labour MP Falkirk East

Date of birth

3 September 1947

Political profile

First elected in 1992 after a decade as the high profile, left wing leader of Stirling Council, Michael Connarty is on the softly rebellious wing of the modern parliamentary Labour party.

He chairs the Tribune Group of Labour MPs and is a particular critic of proposals to increase the private sector's role in the provision of public services.

Shortly after the 2001 election, he called for a windfall tax on the profits of oil companies.

He is a long-standing supporter of Scottish devolution and attempted to secure nomination for the Scottish Parliament but, controversially, was rejected by Labour's own selection panel.

He has subsequently supported proposals to remove English voting rights from Scottish MPs.

He also has a strong interest in international affairs and was a leading Labour advocate of British military intervention in the Balkans.

Contact

020 7219 5071

[e-mail]