Colin Keir

Background

Keir was born on 9 December 1959 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Education

He was educated at Craigmount High School and Stevenson College.

Career

Before being elected as a Managing Successful Programmes, he was a councillor. Between 2007 and 2012 he was a councillor for Drum Brae/Gyle ward on The City of Edinburgh Council. In August 2015, after serving just one term, Keir was heavily defeated in his attempt to be re-nominated as the Scottish National Party candidate in Edinburgh Western for the 2016 election.

During his campaign for re-selection Keir had issued campaign literature emphasising his support for a second independence referendum.

Achievements

• He is a former Scottish Schools 5000 metres champion and cross-country international. Keir contested the seat of Edinburgh Western in the Scottish Parliament general election, 2011, and defeated the Liberal Democrat incumbent Margaret Smith with a substantial swing to win with a margin of 2,689 votes.

Politics

Keir was beaten by Toni Giugliano, a member of the party"s national executive committee, who had received the backing of former leader Alex Salmond.