23 Facts About Anne McGuire

Dame Anne Catherine McGuire is a Scottish Labour Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Stirling from 1997 to 2015.

Anne McGuire was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland from 2002 to 2005 and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People from 2005 to 2008.

Anne McGuire went on to study for teacher training at the Notre Dame College of Education in Bearsden, gaining a Diploma in Secondary Education.

Anne McGuire worked in the University Court of the University of Glasgow as both a registrar and a secretary from 1971 to 1974.

Anne McGuire left the organisation in 1993 as its national officer.

Anne McGuire was the parliamentary election agent for Norman Hogg at the 1979 general election at Dunbartonshire East, when he ousted the Scottish National Party's MP Margaret Bain.

Anne McGuire remained as Hogg's election agent for the 1983,1987 and 1992 elections in his new Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency.

Anne McGuire was elected a councillor on Strathclyde Regional Council in 1980 and served for two years.

Anne McGuire was a member of the Scottish Labour Party Executive from 1984 until 1997 and Chair of the Scottish Labour Party from 1992 to 1993.

Anne McGuire was selected to stand for election for Labour through an all-women shortlist.

Anne McGuire was elected to the House of Commons at the 1997 general election when she ousted the then Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Forsyth by 6,411 votes.

Anne McGuire became a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland in 2002, moving sideways to the Department for Constitutional Affairs in 2003.

Anne McGuire served in the Department for Work and Pensions with responsibility for disabilities from 2005 to 2008.

On 10 October 2010, Anne McGuire was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband, despite having backed his brother in the leadership campaign.

Anne McGuire later asked to step down for the role in order to be able to speak more freely, and became Labour's spokesperson on disabilities again before announcing her decision to stand down at the next election.

Anne McGuire served as a member of the Public Accounts Committee and as co-chair of the All-party group on Disability.

Anne McGuire is a member of Labour Friends of Israel, becoming its chair in May 2013 and was described by LFI director Jennifer Gerber as "a true friend of Israel".

Anne McGuire was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 New Year Honours.

Anne McGuire was described by The Daily Telegraph as "the ultimate loyalist" for never having rebelled once in Parliament.

Anne McGuire described votes over cutting benefits for single mothers as the closest she came to rebelling against the government and supporting the 2003 Iraq War most difficult decision she had to make.

Anne McGuire married her husband, Len, on 12 February 1972 and they have a son and a daughter and live in Cumbernauld.

Anne McGuire is a keen linguist and speaks French and Gaelic.

Anne McGuire enjoys Ceilidh dancing and is honorary vice-president of Glasgow University Shinty Club.