William Ross, Baron Ross of Marnock

William 'Willie' Ross, Baron Ross of Marnock (1911-1988) was the longest serving Secretary of State for Scotland, holding office from 1964 to 1970 and again from 1974 to 1976.

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Born in Ayr, the son of a train driver, he was educated at Ayr Academy and Glasgow University and became a schoolteacher before World War II. He served in the Highland Light Infantry in India, Burma and Singapore and was then a major in Lord Mountbatten's headquarters in what was then Ceylon.

Related Topics:
Ayr - Glasgow University - World War II - Highland Light Infantry - India - Burma - Singapore - Lord Mountbatten - Ceylon

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Ross unsuccessfully contested Ayr Burghs at the 1945 general election.

Related Topics:
Ayr - Burgh - 1945 general election

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He was then elected Member of Parliament for Kilmarnock in a by-election in 1946, and represented that constituency until 1979, when he was created a life peer as Baron Ross of Marnock.

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In 1954 Ross placed an amendment to the Bill on the licensing of commercial television advocating a ban adverts on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

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During his time as Secretary of State for Scotland, he was responsible for the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Scottish Development Agency, the forerunners of Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise.

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Ross was in favour of Scotland and Northern Ireland remaining in the United Kingdom and opposed devolution. Andrew Marr called him 'a stern-faced and authoritarian Presbyterian conservative who ran the country like a personal fiefdom for Harold Wilson'. Ross coined the term 'Tartan Tories' to describe the SNP, who he disliked very much.

Related Topics:
Scotland - Northern Ireland - United Kingdom - Devolution - Andrew Marr - Presbyterian - Fiefdom - Harold Wilson - SNP

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