Tom Harris joins Reform Scotland think-tank

A FORMER Labour MP and transport minister is among four new cross-party appointments at the think-tank Reform Scotland.

Former Labour MP Tom Harris has joined the Reform Scotland think-tank. Picture: Contributed

Tom Harris, who lost his Glasgow South seat to the SNP in May’s general election, takes up a post on the organisation’s advisory board.

Other appointments include Siobhan Mathers, a former policy convenor of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Paul McLennan, an SNP councillor and former leader of East Lothian Council, and Steve Thomson, a Highlands and Islands Enterprise board member.

The think tank has also announced that Alan McFarlane, founding partner of Edinburgh-based investment management business Dundas Partners LLP, will replace Ben Thomson, who has stepped down as chairman.

Mr McFarlane said: “This series of major announcements represents a re-charging of Reform Scotland.

“We will be embarking on a series of ambitious reports in the lead-up to the Scottish Parliament elections of 2016, which will outline how Scotland can reform the way it creates wealth and provides public services.”