Ian McKee: 'Country needs more politicians like him'

WHEN historians come to write about the early days of the revived Scottish Parliament, Ian McKee will barely be a footnote.

He didn't gain a particularly high national profile nor did he trouble the ministerial ranks.

He himself would probably admit that the highlight of his career has been as the deputy convener of a couple of minor Holyrood committees.

However, as we look ahead to the fourth devolved elections in less than 12 months time, we need more politicians like him.

The News has not always agreed with McKee – certainly not on independence, but also on his support for the SNP's plan to use minimum pricing for alcohol as the main weapon against booze culture.

But McKee has brought decades of work as a doctor in a deprived area to that argument and so deserved to be listened to. This has been true across a range of issues, especially those related to health.

It is McKee's experience of work outside of politics that most makes him an example of an ideal MSP. He couldn't be further from the modern-day model of the career politician, having first stood for Holyrood in 1999 at the age of 59.

He worked as an RAF medic and then as a GP in Sighthill and Wester Hailes for 35 years before finally becoming an MSP in 2007.

And it should enhance his reputation, not diminish it, that McKee will only have served one term as an MSP when he steps down next May.

How much better it might be if we had more politicians – at Westminster and in Edinburgh – who build not just a proper career but also a hinterland before giving a few years of public service on behalf of their local communities.

For he may have been born in South Shields, but McKee was educated at Fettes and Edinburgh University and he has been proud to represent the place he regards as home.

A lack of personal political ambition also means McKee has been ready to speak up rather than always stick slavishly to the party line – and that is another quality we need in politicians.

All the political parties this summer will be looking to complete their selection of candidates for next May's election.

As they pick the people they think are right to represent them in parliament – both in constituencies and via lists – they could do worse than look to follow the example of the quiet but effective doctor from Sighthill.