Ian joined the Scottish Ecology Party in 1984 and has been a Green Party member ever since. He trained as a teacher and taught in state secondary schools for 14 years. Ian then worked at the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham before retiring at the end of 2020. Since 1995, Ian has lived in the local area with his partner of the last 35+ years and their two children attended local state schools, but have now 'flown the nest'.

Why the Green Party?

“It’s always been obvious to me that the throw-away society was stupid: force companies to build things to last and don’t be suckered by advertising, and then we can enjoy improved quality of life while working less and without trashing the planet… After extensive reading, studying, thinking and debating, I can put this in posh economic terms, too, but have yet to find anyone, including several professors of economics, with a credible critique.

I’ve always found Green Party members to take people as they are, look for positives and to really empathise. Over time, I have come to understand the way that Green Party social policies (e.g. promoting local communities), individual policies (such as Citizen’s Income) and economic policies (like reducing debt) could interact to help create a truly sustainable society with increased health, wealth and wellbeing.”