Irene Adams, Baroness Adams of Craigielea
Encyclopedia
Katherine Patricia Irene Adams, Baroness Adams of Craigielea (born 27 December 1947) is a Scottish
Labour Party peer, who served as Member of Parliament
in the constituency of Paisley North
from 1990 to 2005.
in Paisley. In 1970 she was on Paisley Town Council and by 1972 was appointed Justice of the Peace
. In 1974 she became a councillor in her local Renfrew District Council and in 1979 went on to Strathclyde Regional Council (succeeding her husband, Allen Adams
).
, and for the earlier seat of Paisley from 1979 until his death in 1990, whereupon Irene (who had served as his secretary during his time as MP) won the subsequent by-election. While she had a record of loyalty to the party, she was seen as clearly on its left wing, and as one of the more pro-devolution
Scottish Labour members.
Her constituency was absorbed into that of Paisley and Renfrewshire North and she was persuaded to stand down with the promise of a peerage, in order to allow sitting West Renfrewshire MP Jim Sheridan to be selected to fight in the May 2005 election.
On 13 May 2005 it was announced that she would be created a life peer
, and was created Baroness Adams of Craigielea, of Craigielea in Renfrewshire, on 28 June.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Labour Party peer, who served as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in the constituency of Paisley North
Paisley North (UK Parliament constituency)
Paisley North was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Paisley in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system....
from 1990 to 2005.
Early life
She was educated at Stanley Green High SchoolGleniffer High School
Gleniffer High School, often referred to simply as Gleniffer, is a Scottish state school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It was founded in the late 19th Centurary as Camphill School, with the main campus located in the more northern Paisley central region.In its present form, and since 1988,...
in Paisley. In 1970 she was on Paisley Town Council and by 1972 was appointed Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
. In 1974 she became a councillor in her local Renfrew District Council and in 1979 went on to Strathclyde Regional Council (succeeding her husband, Allen Adams
Allen Adams
Allender Steele Adams, known as Allen Adams, , was a British Labour politician.Adams was born in Glasgow. He married Irene on 24 February 1968....
).
Parliamentary career
Allen Adams was MP for Paisley NorthPaisley (UK Parliament constituency)
Paisley was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until 1983, when it was divided into Paisley North and Paisley South...
, and for the earlier seat of Paisley from 1979 until his death in 1990, whereupon Irene (who had served as his secretary during his time as MP) won the subsequent by-election. While she had a record of loyalty to the party, she was seen as clearly on its left wing, and as one of the more pro-devolution
History of Scottish devolution
The decision of the Parliament of Scotland to ratify the Treaty of Union in 1707 was not unanimous and from that time, individuals and organizations have advocated the return of a Scottish Parliament. Some have argued for devolution - a Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom - whereas others...
Scottish Labour members.
Her constituency was absorbed into that of Paisley and Renfrewshire North and she was persuaded to stand down with the promise of a peerage, in order to allow sitting West Renfrewshire MP Jim Sheridan to be selected to fight in the May 2005 election.
On 13 May 2005 it was announced that she would be created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
, and was created Baroness Adams of Craigielea, of Craigielea in Renfrewshire, on 28 June.
Personal life
Lady Adams of Craigielea is widowed and has one son and two daughters. She married Allen Adams on 24 February 1968.Styles
- ? birth-1968
- Irene Adams JP (1972–1990)
- Irene Adams MP (1990–2005)
- The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Adams of Craigielea (2005–)