Daniel Johnson (Scottish politician)
Daniel Guy Johnson (born 3 September 1977) is a Scottish Labour Party politician who has served as Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh Southern since 2016.
Daniel Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Johnson in 2016 | |
| Scottish Labour Spokesperson for Justice | |
| In office 19 December 2017 – 28 May 2019 | |
| Leader | Richard Leonard |
| Preceded by | Mary Fee |
| Succeeded by | James Kelly |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Southern | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Eadie |
| Majority | 1,123 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 September 1977 |
| Political party | Scottish Labour Party |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews University of Strathclyde |
Early life
Johnson was born on 3 September 1977.[1][2] He was educated at Bonaly Primary School and privately at Stewart's Melville College.[3] He joined the Labour Party at the age of 17.[3]
Johnson graduated from the University of St Andrews in philosophy and from the University of Strathclyde in management.[3][4] His first job after leaving university was working as a constituency caseworker for Edinburgh South's MP Nigel Griffiths.[3] He later went on to work as a management consultant for Accenture.[5]
Prior to entering politics, Johnson became managing director of the Paper Tiger and Studio One group of shops. The group became the first independent retailer in Edinburgh to become an accredited Living Wage employer in 2015.[6]
Political career
In January 2014, Johnson was selected by party members as a candidate for Edinburgh Southern prior to the upcoming Scottish Parliament election.[3] He was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2016, gaining the seat from the Scottish National Party.[7] He became shadow education minister for Scottish Labour in May 2016.[8]
In December 2017, Johnson was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet as Justice Spokesperson.[9] On 28 May 2019, the day after it was confirmed Scottish Labour had finished fifth in Scotland in the European Parliament elections and had lost both its Scottish MEPs, he resigned from his position as Scottish Labour's Justice Spokesperson, criticising the Labour Party's "current direction and leadership". He further noted that Labour had finished sixth in Edinburgh in the European Elections and challenged the party's Brexit policies. He stated in his resignation letter as follows: "My constituents are clear not only that we must have another referendum, but that we must make every effort to ensure the UK remains a member of the EU. This is a view that I share."[10]
He is currently deputy convener of the Education and Skills Committee.
Personal life
Johnson resides in the constituency with his wife, Jackie, and two daughters.[4]
Johnson revealed to Scottish Parliament that he had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in life at the age of 35.[11] He is believed to be the only politician in any UK parliament to be diagnosed with the condition at this time.
References
- "Daniel Johnson MSP (@DJohnsonMSP) on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- "Daniel Guy JOHNSON - Personal Appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- "Paul Godzik Holyrood bid killed by businessman". Edinburgh Evening News. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- "Personal Information". www.parliament.scot. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/daniel-johnson-00652122
- "About Daniel". 17 September 2008.
- "Election 2016: Edinburgh Southern. Scottish Parliament constituency". BBC News. 6 May 2016.
- "Scottish Labour shadow cabinet: Kezia Dugdale unveils new frontbench team". Holyrood Magazine. 25 May 2016.
- "Leonard unveils Labour front bench team". 19 December 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- "Two MSPs quit Scottish Labour front bench team". BBC News Scotland. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- Report, Official (24 January 2014). "Official Report". www.parliament.scot.