George Thompson (Scottish National Party politician)

George Henry Thompson (11 September 1928 – 23 December 2016) was a Scottish National Party politician and Roman Catholic priest. He served as the Member of Parliament for Galloway from October 1974–79.

Early life

Thompson was born on 11 September 1928 in The Glenkens, Galloway, Scotland.[1] In the 1950s he went to Rome and studied at the Pontifical Scots College.[1] After the death of his father, he returned to Scotland without completing his studies, then spent seven years working for the Forestry Commission.[1] He graduated from the University of Edinburgh and took up a position at Kirkcudbright Academy where he taught French and German.[1]

Political career

Thompson stood as the SNP candidate for the Galloway constituency in the February 1974 United Kingdom general election but was unsuccessful. Another election was called later that year in October 1974, this time he gained the Galloway seat from the Conservatives with a majority of 30 votes (0.1%).[2] Following the election he was announced as the SNP's spokesperson on health.[3] He stood again in 1979 but lost the seat to the Conservative Ian Lang.[4]

Priest

Following a return to teaching at Annan Academy, he resumed his clerical studies at St John's Seminary Wonersh, Surrey. In September 1989 he was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in St Teresa's, Dumfries, in 1989.[5] He served as assistant in St Teresa's, Dumfries, as Parish Priest in St Margaret of Scotland in Irvine, and as parish priest in St Peter's, Dalbeattie in 1993. He retired in 2005.

He died aged 88 years, on 23 December 2016, at Senwick Nursing Home in Borgue, Dumfries and Galloway.[6]

References
  1. Naysmith, Stephen (7 January 2017). "Obituary - Father George Thompson, former SNP MP". The Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  2. Clark, William; Fyfe, James (11 October 1974). "Big increase in SNP vote. Gain of three seats". The Glasgow Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  3. Clark, William (15 October 1974). "SNP to press Labour on assembly pledge". The Glasgow Herald. p. 14. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  4. "Results in Scotland. Galloway". The Glasgow Herald. 5 May 1979. p. 9. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  5. "Former MP ordained". The Glasgow Herald. 2 September 1989. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  6. "Scottish Bishop pays tribute to former MP who became a priest". www.indcatholicnews.com. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Brewis		 Member of Parliament for Galloway
October 1974 – 1979		 Succeeded by
Ian Lang
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