Jim Hume - List MSP

Born in Peebles and raised in Selkirkshire, Jim's a real South of Scotland man, with family in the Borders, East Lothian, Dumfriesshire and Ayrshire. He's a farmer by birth, but is proud to say that his two sons now run the hill farm in the Yarrow Valley. Jim's been busy over the last ten years before being elected, by representing the community and engaging in public service through his work with the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Borders Forest Trust and the Borders Foundation for Rural Sustainability. Up until the 2007 election he was Chair of Environment and Land Use for the NFUS, a Director of NFUS and was also Chairman of Lothians and Borders NFU, looking after 1,300 members. Jim was particularly active during the 2001 foot and mouth crisis and throughout his term of office in these posts, he gained experience in giving evidence to Scottish Parliament Committees, lobbying regularly against and with Ministers, MEPs, MSPs, MPs and Councillors. Jim also led and took part in delegations to the European Parliament with successful presentations to Commissioners, all the while fighting for a better deal for the South of Scotland. During his time with Scottish Enterprise Borders, he was involved in a small business scheme for the region in cooperation with Dumfries and Galloway. Jim has always said that economic development is key to bettering the future of any region and country. Since being elected in 2007, Jim has successfully led the Libdem campaign to stop the Scottish Government selling off Scotland's national forestry estate and has successfully campaigned for community hopsitals across Dumfries and Galloway. He continues to campaign on textiles and changing policy to favour local food within the public sector. He says, "it was a great privilege to be elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007. Being MSP for the region not only gives me the chance to help individuals, but it also gives me the opportunity to represent the South of Scotland region in the Scottish Parliament on key issues".

Parliamentary committees

Member of the Scottish Parliament's European and External Relations Committee.

Substitute Member of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.

Cross Party Groups

Co-convener Cross-Party Group on Food

Deputy Convener Cross-Party Group Rural Policy

Member of Animal Welfare

Member of Cross-Party Group Epilepsy

Member of Cross-Party Group Waste Management

Co-Convener Cross Party Group on Cooperatives

Political Career

Liberal Democrat Spokesman on the Rural Affairs, the Environment and energy 2007 -

This is Jim Hume's Web site.