Mike Rumbles (born 10 June 1956) is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... 1956 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Scotland (Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a country in northwest Europe and a constituent nation of the United Kingdom. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a social liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament. ...

Rumbles was elected to the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency in the 1999 election, and increased his majority in the 2003 election. Following the Scottish Parliament's establishment in 1999, Rumbles made his name as convenor of the Standards Committee when it was charged with investigating the so-called 'Lobbygate' scandal, in which the son of the then Secretary of State for Scotland John Reid was embroiled. The polling date for the first Scottish Parliament election was held on 7th May, 1999. ... The polling date for the second Scottish Parliament election was held on May 1, 2003. ... The Scottish Parliament (Pàrlamaid na h-Alba in Gaelic, Scots Pairlament in Scots) is the national unicameral legislature of Scotland. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday of the Common Era, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Secretary of State for Scotland (Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the chief minister in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilites for Scotland, at the head of the Scotland Office (formerly The Scottish Office). ... The Right Honourable Dr. John Reid (born May 8, 1947 in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire) is a British politician, MP for Airdrie and Shotts, and Secretary of State for Defence. ...

On May 12, 2005, Rumbles announced his intention to stand for the vacant post of leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. His candidacy ensures that the coming leadership election will be far removed from the 'beauty contest' that has become the norm in internal party battles, since he he has made clear that under his leadership the party would take a significantly different policy direction than it would under his opponent Nicol Stephen. In particular, he has specified a number of deal-breakers for any coalition negotiations that might occur in the aftermath of the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, with an absolute insistence on the implentation of key Liberal Democrat policies such as abolition of the council tax, and an enhancement of the Scottish Parliament's powers. He has also pledged that, upon becoming Deputy First Minister as an automatic consequence of the existing coalition agreement with Labour, he would decline to take up an additional ministerial portfolio. His contention is that this would elevate the perception of the post of Deputy First Minister to being something greater than a mere courtesy title, and thus give the Liberal Democrats a more equal status within the coalition. May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Nicol Stephen (born 23 March 1960) is Deputy First Minister of Scotland, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen South. ... 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Mike Rumbles MSP official site
• Mike Rumbles MSP official biography at the Scottish Parliament website
• Mike Rumbles MSP profile at the site of the Scottish Liberal Democrats