Education
University of Stirling. University of Notre Dame.
politician Member of the Scottish Parliament
University of Stirling. University of Notre Dame.
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. 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.
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 (eg 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.
Previously, Butler has sought backing in the Scottish Parliament for a bill to make Scottish health boards part-elected. In August 2008 he declared himself a candidate for the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament, but was not elected.
He was selected as a Labour candidate for the Greater Pollok ward in the Glasgow City Council elections in 2012 and topped the poll with 2,462 first preferences.
Bill Butler has been at the forefront of the campaign to tackle sectarianism in Scotland. In June 2009 he persuaded Alex Salmond to bring before the Scottish Parliament a new strategy to tackle sectarianism. In early 2009 when politicians" expense claims came under intense public scrutiny, Bill Butler"s attempt to claim back a £1 charity donation that a hotel made on his behalf, saying the hotel made the charge without his knowledge, was cited as an egregious example.
His claim was rejected by the Scottish Parliament authorities.
Labour Company-operative, Labour Party.
Butler is also a committed member of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and has voted against the party in matters concerning nuclear weapons.