Former Tory MP Phil Gallie dies

Former Conservative politician Phil Gallie, who served as MP for Ayr between 1992 and 1997 before becoming a member of the Scottish parliament, dies aged 71

Former Conservative politician Phil Gallie has died aged 71, the party announced today.

Gallie served as MP for Ayr between 1992 and 1997 before going on to represent the South of Scotland region in the first two sessions of the Scottish parliament.

He was born in Portsmouth in 1939 and attended Dunfermline High School in Fife.

He became an apprentice electrical fitter at the nearby Rosyth dockyard and worked for the merchant navy and Ben Line Power Industry, according to details released by the Scottish Conservatives.

Gallie began his political career on Cunninghame district council before becoming an MP. He was vice-chairman of the Scottish Conservative party and Tory spokesman on constitutional affairs at Holyrood.

He was re-elected as a list member in 2003 before standing down at the last election in 2007.

Gallie is survived by his children Kirsteen and Craig and his grandchildren. He was married to Marion, whom he cared for until her death in 2006.

The Scottish Tory leader, Annabel Goldie MSP, said: "Phil was that rare breed of politician: admired by friend and foe alike and a tireless advocate for the people of his beloved Ayr, his party and Scotland.

"No one who knew Phil will ever forget the passion and enthusiasm he brought to everything he did.

"Phil was a great family man and his care and love for his late wife Marion as she battled with illness was humbling and inspiring to us all. He will be sorely missed by his children, Kirsteen and Craig, and his grandchildren.

He leaves a gap in our lives. I have lost a friend and Scotland has lost a shining example of a true public servant, someone who cared deeply about people and loved his country."

Labour's leader at Holyrood, Iain Gray, said: "It is very sad news for Phil Gallie's family and I would like to off! er condo lences on behalf of myself and Labour colleagues.

"Phil was a decent man with the common touch who made a spirited contribution to politics. He served with distinction in the first two terms of the Scottish parliament and will be loss to the Conservative party and Scottish politics in general."


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