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[[Category:Labour Members of Parliament]]
[[Category:Labour Members of Parliament]]

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
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{{Infobox MP
{{Infobox MP
|name = Paul Sweeney
|name = Paul Sweeney
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|caption =
|caption =
| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
|office = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland|Shadow Minister for Scotland]]
|office = Shadow Minister for Scotland
|leader = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
|leader = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
|1blankname = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland|Shadow Sec.]]
|1blankname = Shadow Sec.
|1namedata = [[Lesley Laird]]
|1namedata = Lesley Laird
|term_start = 3 July 2017
|term_start = 3 July 2017
|term_end =
|term_end =
|predecessor =
|predecessor =
|successor =
|successor =
|office1 = [[Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Glasgow North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow North East]]
|office1 = Member of Parliament<br>for [[Glasgow North East]]
|term_start1 = 8 June 2017
|term_start1 = 8 June 2017
|term_end1 =
|term_end1 =
|predecessor1 = [[Anne McLaughlin]]
|predecessor1 = Anne McLaughlin
|successor1 =
|successor1 =
|majority1 = 242 (0.7%)
|majority1 = 242 (0.7%)
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|1|16|df=yes}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|1|16|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Glasgow
|birth_place =
|party =
|party = [[Labour and Co-operative|Labour & Co-operative Party]]
|alma_mater = [[University of Glasgow]]
|alma_mater =
|website = {{url|paulsweeney.mp|Official}}
}}
}}
</div>
'''Paul John Sweeney''' (born 16 January 1989)<ref name="Twitter profile">{{cite web|last1=Sweeney|first1=Paul|title=Twitter post|url=https://twitter.com/PaulJSweeney|website=Twitter|accessdate=19 August 2017}}</ref> is a [[Labour and Co-operative|Scottish Labour & Co-operative Party]] politician. He has been the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Glasgow North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow North East]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/mr-paul-j-sweeney/4642|title=Mr Paul Sweeney MP|website=UK Parliament}}</ref> since the snap [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|2017 general election]], where he defeated sitting MP [[Anne McLaughlin]] of the [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] by 242 votes, overturning the 39% swing against Labour in 2015, which was a record swing in a UK general election.<ref name="Twitter post">{{cite web|last1=Rodger|first1=Hannah|title=Twitter post|url=https://twitter.com/hannahwritesHT/status/872985583987154944|website=Twitter|accessdate=9 June 2017}}</ref>
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==Early life and education==
Sweeney was born at [[Stobhill Hospital]] in [[Glasgow]] on 16 January 1989 to Anne Patricia Sweeney (née Doherty), a bank clerk and John Gordon Sweeney, a shipyard worker.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/michael-and-paul-fired-up-for-army-adventure-1-361226| publisher=Kirkintilloch Herald | title=Michael and Paul fired up for Army adventure |date=7 January 2009 |accessdate=8 March 2018}}</ref> He was brought up in [[Auchinairn]], and [[Milton, Glasgow|Milton]], where he helped care for his grandmother as a young child<ref name="auto">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/paul-sweeney-17_uk_59fa231fe4b0415a42093a85| publisher=Huffington Post | title=17 From '17: Paul Sweeney, From Glasgow's Shipyards To The Green Benches| date=2 November 2017| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>. Sweeney attended St. Matthew's Primary School and [[Turnbull High School]] in [[Bishopbriggs]]. The first member of his family to attend university, Sweeney studied at the [[University of Stirling]], gaining a [[Certificate of Higher Education]] with Distinction in [[Economics]] and [[Political Science]], before continuing his degree at the [[University of Glasgow]], where he graduated with a [[British undergraduate degree classification|first class]] [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|MA (Hons)]] in [[Economic History]] and [[Political Science]] in 2011, achieving the prize for best [[joint honours]] performance in Economic History, including a research project on the post-war economic development of [[Yarrow Shipbuilders]], the [[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] and [[Upper Clyde Shipbuilders]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/news/peopleprojects/headline_536431_en.html| publisher=Glasgow University | title=Alumni}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gla.ac.uk/alumni/ouralumni/lifeafterglasgow/notablealumni/| publisher=Glasgow University | title=MyGlasgow News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.holyrood.com/articles/inside-politics/profiles-new-scottish-mps| publisher=Holyrood Magazine | title=Profiles of the new Scottish MPs}}</ref> At university he also became involved in [[debate|debating]] with the [[Glasgow University Dialectic Society]], of which he is an honorary life member.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B__tnbko5vnmVnhCcTVUc2RnVHc/edit| publisher=Glasgow University Dialectic Society | title=Order Paper |accessdate=8 May 2018}}</ref> {{as of|2018}}, he is a [[trustee]] on the [[Glasgow University Union]]'s [[board of management]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guu.co.uk/board-of-management| publisher=Glasgow University Union | title=Board of Management |accessdate=8 March 2018}}</ref>


'''Paul John Sweeney''' (born 16 January 1989) is a Scottish Labour & Co-operative Party politician. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for [[Glasgow North East]] since the snap 2017 general election, where he defeated sitting MP Anne McLaughlin of the SNP by 242 votes, overturning the 39% swing against Labour in 2015, which was a record swing in a UK general election.
==Early career==
At the age of 17, Sweeney joined the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]], initially serving in the [[Royal Corps of Signals]] with [[32 Signal Regiment]], before transferring to [[52nd Lowland Volunteers|52nd Lowland]], 6th Battalion of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/michael-and-paul-fired-up-for-army-adventure-1-361226| publisher=Kirkintilloch Herald | title=Michael and Paul fired up for Army adventure}}</ref> He is currently one of three Labour MPs to have [[List of military veterans in British politics|served in the British Armed Forces]]. After undertaking an internship with [[BAE Systems]] at [[HMNB Portsmouth]] as an undergraduate, Sweeney joined the company's graduate development programme with [[BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships]] in 2011,<ref>{{Who's Who | surname = Sweeney| othernames = Paul John| id = U289520| volume = 2018 | edition = February 2018 online | accessed = 14 February 2018 }}</ref> based at the [[Govan]] and [[Scotstoun]] shipyards on the Clyde, where he undertook a series of roles in [[production engineering]] and shipbuilding [[operations management]] on the [[Type 45 destroyer]], [[Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier]] and [[Type 26 frigate]] programmes.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-289520?rskey=4p0Elz&result=1| publisher=Who's Who | title=Sweeney, Paul John}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=aYuuCAAAQBAJ&lpg=PT30&ots=noVTaMlc7q&dq=2014%20world%20naval%20review%20paul%20sweeney&pg=PT7#v=onepage&q=2014%20world%20naval%20review%20paul%20sweeney&f=false| publisher=Seaforth Publishers | title=2014 World Naval Review}}</ref> Whilst at BAE Systems, Sweeney also initiated a project with the [[Glasgow School of Art]]'s [[Digital Design Studio]] to introduce [[virtual reality]] methods into complex warship design and construction.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjfCYtRV0LM| publisher=YouTube | title=Virtual Reality Transforms UK Shipbuilding}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/defence/11210224/Virtual-reality-warships-Why-BAE-is-diving-into-3D.html|title=Virtual reality warships: Why BAE is diving into 3D|work=The Telegraph |accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref> At the end of 2015, Sweeney joined the national [[economic development]] agency [[Scottish Enterprise]] as a senior executive, working with the leadership of companies across the defence, marine, shipbuilding, aerospace and engineering sectors based in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40118318| publisher=BBC News | title=Who are Scotland's new MPs?| date=9 June 2017| accessdate=16 June 2017}}</ref> In April 2016, he was elected as a Council Member of the [[Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland]] (IESIS).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iesis.org/council.html| publisher=IESIS | title=Council and Office Bearers}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
Sweeney joined the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] at the age of 16<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-d1c2-whos-who-on-the-scottish-labour-left-1| publisher=Morning Star | title=Who’s who on the Scottish Labour left| date=3 May 2016| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref> and first became an active campaigner during the 2009 [[Glasgow North East by-election, 2009|Glasgow North East by-election]].<ref name="auto"/>
Sweeney joined the Labour Party at the age of 16 and first became an active campaigner during the 2009 Glasgow North East by-election.

While working in the shipyards he joined the [[Unite the Union|Unite]] and [[GMB (trade union)|GMB]] trade unions, later joining [[Public and Commercial Services Union|PCS]] whilst at Scottish Enterprise.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://labourhame.com/statement-on-the-clyde-shipbuilding-industry/| publisher=Labour Hame | title=Statement on the Clyde shipbuilding industry| date=3 May 2016| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref> He is also on the executive committee of the Scottish [[Fabian Society]]. Sweeney came to prominence during the [[Scottish independence referendum, 2014|2014 Scottish independence referendum]], after he organised an open letter signed by young shipyard workers opposing the break-up of the UK, and subsequently spoke at a rally alongside [[Gordon Brown]] on the eve of the referendum.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29202728| publisher=BBC News | title=Scottish independence: Young shipbuilders express 'Yes' vote concerns| date=15 September 2014| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjcJDvPy29k&feature=youtu.be| publisher=YouTube | title=Only a No vote will save the Clyde| date=17 September 2014| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.economicvoice.com/labour-argue-vote-no-for-better-jobs-in-a-stronger-scotland/| publisher=Economic Voice | title=Labour Argue "Vote No" For Better Jobs in a Stronger Scotland| date=15 September 2014| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://labourlist.org/2014/09/scottish-referendum-the-liveblog/| publisher=Labour List | title=Live Blog| date=15 September 2014| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref>

Sweeney's first experience of standing as an election candidate was in the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2016|2016 Scottish Parliament election]], where he placed twelfth on the Scottish Labour Party's regional list for [[West Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|West Scotland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://labourlist.org/2016/02/scottish-labour-announce-list-candidates-for-mays-election/|title=Scottish Labour announce list candidates for May’s election|work=Labour List |accessdate=9 January 2018}}</ref>

⚫
In the [[2017 general election]] he stood for [[Glasgow North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow North East]] where a 12% swing to Labour led to him defeating [[Anne McLaughlin]] of the [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] by 242 votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000032|title=Election 2017: Glasgow North East|work=BBC News |accessdate=9 January 2018}}</ref> McLaughlin had taken the seat from Labour in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2015|2015 general election]] and she had been elected with a 39% swing, which was the largest swing in a general election. The seat and its predecessors had previously been held by Labour MPs since [[George Hardie (politician)|George Hardie]] in 1935.

On 3 July 2017, he was appointed by Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] as the Shadow [[Under-Secretary of State for Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newsocialist.org.uk/reshuffle-2-the-ma/|title=Reshuffle 2: The Maintenance of the Malcontents|date=2017-07-08|work=New Socialist.|access-date=2017-07-10}}</ref> He made his [[maiden speech]] to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] on 13 July 2017, during which he expressed his opposition to Tory austerity policies that had led to a fall in living standards.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2017-07-13/debates/69871535-88DE-4EF8-AE0C-9653C8E1B045/Passchendaele#contribution-06759023-6538-4836-BDDC-9E3B7977DED8| publisher=Hansard | title=Passchendaele| date=13 July 2017| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15412275.Tories_leaving_people_between_destitution_and_starvation_says_new_Glasgow_MP/ |title=
Tories leaving people between destitution and starvation says new Glasgow MP |work=The Herald |date=17 July 2017 |accessdate=8 March 2018}}</ref> During the [[Scottish Labour Party leadership election, 2017|2017 Scottish Labour leadership election]], Sweeney endorsed [[Richard Leonard (Scottish politician)|Richard Leonard]], who was ultimately the successful candidate.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15536686.Sweeney_declares_his_support_for_Leonard_in_race_to_be_next_leader_of_Scottish_Labour/| publisher=The Herald | title=Sweeney declares his support for Leonard in race to be next leader of Scottish Labour| date=15 September 2017| accessdate=6 January 2018}}</ref>

==Outside politics==
Sweeney has an interest in built heritage and architectural issues in [[Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/2280/paul-sweeney-how-glasgow-s-derelict-land-is-limiting-the-city-s-ability-to-flourish| publisher=Common Space | title=Paul Sweeney: How Glasgow's derelict land is limiting the city's ability to flourish| date=28 August 2015| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref> He is a director of the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/third-new-mps-have-arts-and-culture-links| publisher=Arts Professional | title=A third of new MPs have arts and culture links| date=13 June 2017| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref> and has helped run the city's annual Doors Open Day festival for several years.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/9406/springburn-reunion-marks-campaign-restore-derelict-winter-gardens| publisher=Common Space | title=Springburn reunion marks campaign to restore derelict winter gardens| date=21 September 2016| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref> Sweeney was also involved in the restoration of the historic former Govan shipyard head offices into the [[Fairfield Heritage Centre]], for which he won an award.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fplreflib.findlay.co.uk/images/pdf/manufacturing-champions/Champs2014brochure.pdf| publisher=Works Management | title=Manufacturing Champions 2014}}</ref> After campaigning against the demolition of [[Springburn]] Public Halls in 2012<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13086202.Save_facade_of_Springburn_Public_Halls_from_imminent_demolition/| publisher=The Herald | title=Save_facade_of_Springburn_Public_Halls_from_imminent_demolition| date=27 December 2012| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref>, he founded the Springburn Winter Gardens Trust, which is working to restore the nearby Springburn Winter Gardens.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/campaign-save-decaying-springburn-winter-14236456| publisher=Glasgow Live | title=Campaign to save decaying Springburn Winter Gardens needs help from an architect| date=2 Feb 2018| accessdate=6 May 2018}}</ref>


While working in the shipyards he joined the Unite and GMB trade unions, later joining PCS whilst at Scottish Enterprise. He is also on the executive committee of the Scottish Fabian Society. Sweeney came to prominence during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, after he organised an open letter signed by young shipyard workers opposing the break-up of the UK, and subsequently spoke at a rally alongside Gordon Brown on the eve of the referendum.
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}


Sweeney's first experience of standing as an election candidate was in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, where he placed twelfth on the Scottish Labour Party's regional list for West Scotland.
==External links==
*{{UK MP links |parliament=mr-paul-j-sweeney/4642 |publicwhip=Paul_Sweeney |theywork=paul_sweeney}}


⚫
In the 2017 general election he stood for Glasgow North East where a 12% swing to Labour led to him defeating Anne McLaughlin of the SNP by 242 votes. McLaughlin had taken the seat from Labour in the 2015 general election and she had been elected with a 39% swing, which was the largest swing in a general election. The seat and its predecessors had previously been held by Labour MPs since George Hardie in 1935.
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Anne McLaughlin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Glasgow North East (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow North East]]|years=[[United Kingdom general election, 2017|2017]]–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}


On 3 July 2017, he was appointed by Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] as the Shadow Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. During the 2017 Scottish Labour leadership election, Sweeney endorsed Richard Leonard, who was ultimately the successful candidate.
{{Scottish Labour Party}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweeney, Paul}}
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Turnbull High School]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Glasgow]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Stirling]]
[[Category:Scottish Labour Party MPs]]
[[Category:BAE Systems people]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2017–]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Glasgow constituencies]]


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Latest revision as of 23:41, 28 August 2018



Paul Sweeney
MP
Shadow Minister for Scotland
Assumed office
3 July 2017
Leader Jeremy Corbyn
Shadow Sec. Lesley Laird
Member of Parliament
for Glasgow North East
Assumed office
8 June 2017
Preceded by Anne McLaughlin
Majority 242 (0.7%)
Personal details
Born (1989-01-16) 16 January 1989 (age 35)
Website Official


Paul John Sweeney (born 16 January 1989) is a Scottish Labour & Co-operative Party politician. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Glasgow North East since the snap 2017 general election, where he defeated sitting MP Anne McLaughlin of the SNP by 242 votes, overturning the 39% swing against Labour in 2015, which was a record swing in a UK general election.

Political career

Sweeney joined the Labour Party at the age of 16 and first became an active campaigner during the 2009 Glasgow North East by-election.

While working in the shipyards he joined the Unite and GMB trade unions, later joining PCS whilst at Scottish Enterprise. He is also on the executive committee of the Scottish Fabian Society. Sweeney came to prominence during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, after he organised an open letter signed by young shipyard workers opposing the break-up of the UK, and subsequently spoke at a rally alongside Gordon Brown on the eve of the referendum.

Sweeney's first experience of standing as an election candidate was in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, where he placed twelfth on the Scottish Labour Party's regional list for West Scotland.

In the 2017 general election he stood for Glasgow North East where a 12% swing to Labour led to him defeating Anne McLaughlin of the SNP by 242 votes. McLaughlin had taken the seat from Labour in the 2015 general election and she had been elected with a 39% swing, which was the largest swing in a general election. The seat and its predecessors had previously been held by Labour MPs since George Hardie in 1935.

On 3 July 2017, he was appointed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as the Shadow Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. During the 2017 Scottish Labour leadership election, Sweeney endorsed Richard Leonard, who was ultimately the successful candidate.


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