Bill Butler | |
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Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Anniesland |
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In office 23 November 2000 – 5 May 2011 |
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Preceded by | Donald Dewar |
Succeeded by | Bill Kidd |
Majority | 4,306 (19.3%) |
Personal details | |
Born |
Glasgow |
30 March 1956
Political party | Labour Co-operative |
Alma mater | University of Stirling |
Occupation | Teacher (English) |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Bill Butler (born 30 March 1956 in Glasgow) is a Scottish Labour Co-operative politician, candidate for the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections for Glasgow Anniesland and former MSP. He represented Glasgow Anniesland in the Scottish Parliament until losing his seat in the 2011 election. He had been elected in the by-election following the death of First Minister Donald Dewar. Butler is also a committed member of CND and has voted against the party in matters concerning nuclear weapons.
A graduate of the University of Stirling and Notre Dame College of Education, he taught at a number of schools in Renfrew District and in Rutherglen from 1980 to 2000. He is married to Patricia Ferguson, a fellow Labour MSP and former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport.
In June 2010, Bill Butler launched a Member's Bill in the Scottish Parliament to reform the law on damages for wrongful death, which was successful, being passed by the Parliament on 3 March 2011 with unanimous support,. The Bill was based on recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission intended to bring about fairer levels of compensation for victims of wrongful death cases (e.g. industrial accidents and disease) and their loved ones. The reforms will also mean less cases needing to go to court, which in some cases will eliminate the need for details of victims' lives to be the subject of courtroom wrangling and in all cases will mean that compensation will be paid out more speedily.