Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 28 May 2013 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 digital audio file (duration 25 minutes 30 seconds)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
David William McLetchie CBE was a Scottish politician, affiliated to the Conservative party.
McLetchie attended Leith Academy and George Heriot’s School, both in Edinburgh, before attending Edinburgh University, graduating in 1974 with a degree in law. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1976, he embarked on a 30+ year career in the legal profession.
From 1999 to 2013 he was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) in Edinburgh. He was initially elected to the Scottish Parliament as a 'list' MSP in 1999, but, between 2003 and 2011, represented the constituency of Pentlands. From 1999 to 2005, he was leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, leading the Conservative representation at the Scottish Parliament.
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Scottish Oral History Centre (SOHC) was set up within the Department of History at the University of Strathclyde in 1995. Since its foundation the SOHC has been involved in a wide range of teaching, research and outreach activities designed primarily to encourage the use of ‘best practice’ oral history methodology in Scotland. Until 2005, the SOHC was directed by Professor Callum Brown, since then by Professor Arthur McIvor.
Name of creator
Biographical history
David Walker completed his doctorate on ‘Occupational health and safety in the British chemical industry, 1914-1974’ in 2007. He has been a member of the Scottish Oral History Centre since 2010. His publications include
- 'Working in it, through it, and among it all day: chrome dust at J & J White of Rutherglen, 1893-1967’, \Scottish labour history\ 40 (2005): 50-69
- '"Danger was a thing that ye were brought up wi": workers narratives on occupational health and safety in the workplace’, \Scottish labour history\ 46 (2011): 54-70
Archival history
The original digital recording was created by David Walker on behalf of the Scottish Oral History Centre, and the recording was subsequently transferred to the University Archives as part of the Scottish Oral History Centre Archive.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Recording of David Walker, of the Scottish Oral History Centre, in conversation with David McLetchie MSP in 2013. The interview was conducted at David McLetchie's office at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh.
This interview was originally intended to be the first of a series of interviews carried out by the Scottish Oral History Centre with the first cohort of MSPs. However, due to David McLetchie's poor health, this interview was undertaken ahead of the planned project. Conducted about two months before his death from cancer at the age of 61, this interview is one of the last interviews which McLetchie gave. Because of time pressures, the interview is approximately 25 mins in length. The larger project with the rest of the cohort of MSPs was never undertaken.
The interview covers McLetchie's entire life, orientated primarily towards his life in politics.
The interview covers the following topics:
- Family background
- School education
- Political involvement at Edinburgh University
- Career in law
- Conservative Party involvement, including Young Conservatives, and party conferences
- Standing for election as an MP in 1979
- Selection process for becoming an MSP in 1999
- Becoming leader of the Scottish Conservative Party in 1999
- Running the Conservative 1999 election campaign for the Scottish Parliament
- Life as a constituency MSP and as a 'list' MSP
- View on 'consensus' politics of the Scottish Parliament
- Press coverage of the Scottish Parliament
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No access restrictions.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright: University of Strathclyde.
Please contact repository for permission to reproduce these interviews.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
This collection is part of the Scottish Oral History Centre Archive.