John Reid

The Rt. Hon Dr. John Reid (born May 8, 1947) is a UK politician, MP for Hamilton North and Bellshill, and Secretary of State for Health[?]

Reid is a senior member of the Labour Party, and has held several different Cabinet positions: Secretary of State for Scotland[?], Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (the first Catholic to hold the position), Minister Without Portfolio[?] (Labour Party Chairman), Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council. On June 12, 2003 he was appointed Health Secretary following the resignation of Alan Milburn.

Reid, a former member of the Communist Party (of which he has said: "I used to be a communist. I used to believe in Santa Claus), has deep roots in the Labour Party and has worked for them all of his career.

Reid has a reputation as a tough fighter, and a shrewd negotiator; he is also regarded as one of the most intelligent MPs in the House.

An MP since 1987, his seat is due to be abolished in boundary changes, but he is effectively guaranteed a new one. Reid is a Catholic, and there is much speculation that he will become MP for the predominantly Catholic and rock-solid Labour seat of Glasgow East[?], which will be created in the boundary changes.

He regards New Labour as a natural development of Bevanism.

See also