Profile: Margaret Curran

Had Margaret Curran not transferred her allegiances from Holyrood to Westminster, she would have undoubtedly been a contender for the Scottish Labour leadership.

A feisty performer in Jack McConnell’s administration, she was regarded as an effective parliamentarian and is making a name for herself for similar reasons at Westminster.

Already, she has been texting journalists at Holyrood telling them to expect her being around a lot more, suggesting that she means to take the fight to Scottish Secretary Michael Moore. She is also sure to have a much higher profile than Ann McKechin, the MP that she replaces as shadow Scottish secretary.

As a politician, Ms McKechin appeared more interested in the minutae of the Scotland Bill than pressing the flesh.

Before entering politics, Ms Curran was a lecturer in community education at the University of Strathclyde. She also spent time as a community worker.

She was elected to represent Glasgow Baillieston when the Scottish Parliament was founded in 1999.

She was re-elected to Holyrood in 2003 and again in 2007, and served as deputy minister for social justice and, later, as minister for communities.

After Labour’s defeat she remained on the front bench as shadow spokeperson for health and wellbeing. She then decided to stand for Westminster. Her first attempt ended in disaster when the SNP registered a famous victory in the 2008 Glasgow East by-election and, against the odds, she was defeated by John Mason.

At the 2010 General Election she won the seat for Labour.