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Lisa Cameron

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For the economist, see Lisa Cameron (economist).

Lisa Cameron
Official portrait, 2020
Member of Parliament
for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
In office
7 May 2015 – 30 May 2024
Preceded byMichael McCann
Succeeded byJoani Reid
Personal details
Born (1972-04-08) 8 April 1972 (age 52)
Glasgow, Scotland
Political partyConservative (2023–present)
Other political
affiliations		Scottish National Party (2014–2023)
Spouse
Mark Horsham
​
(m. 2009)​
Children2
EducationUniversity of Strathclyde (BSc)
University of Stirling (MSc)
University of Glasgow (DClinPsy)
Awards Ordine di Sant'Agata

Lisa Cameron (born 8 April 1972)[1] is a Scottish politician and former consultant clinical psychologist who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow from winning the seat at the 2015 general election until standing down at the 2024 general election. First elected for the Scottish National Party (SNP), she was re-elected for that party in 2017 and 2019, before she crossed the floor to the Scottish Conservatives in October 2023.[2]

Early life and career

Lisa Cameron was born on 8 April 1972 in Glasgow, Scotland or Westwood, East Kilbride, where she grew up.[1][3][4][5] Her father moved to America when she was an infant and she was raised by her mother, a secretary at Rolls-Royce and "working class conservative", and a taxi driver.[5] She was educated at South Park Primary School, East Milton Primary School and Duncanrig Secondary School,[4] before studying psychology at the University of Strathclyde where she graduated as BSc. Cameron pursued further studies in Psychology and Health at the University of Stirling receiving an MSc. degree before taking a DClinPsy. degree from the University of Glasgow.[6][7] After university, Cameron specialised in forensic and clinical psychology. She worked as a consultant at the State Hospital, as a clinical psychologist in the NHS and as an assessor for the Scottish Risk Management Authority.[6][7]

Cameron voted in favour of Scottish independence at the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. After the referendum results were announced, in which Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom; she joined the Scottish National Party (SNP).[6][8] Cameron spent over a decade as a trade union representative for Unite.[7]

Parliamentary career

2015 Parliament

Cameron was elected as an SNP MP for the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow seat at the 2015 UK general election.[9] The seat and its predecessor, East Kilbride had been won by successive Labour Party candidates since 1974.

Cameron is the first clinical psychologist to be elected as an MP to the House of Commons.[10] During the 2015–17 Parliament, Cameron was a member of the International Development Committee and the International Development Sub-Committee on the Work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact.[11]

On 5 January 2016, the Scottish Daily Mail published a story highlighting that Cameron owned five ex-council houses (managed by her husband) despite campaigning against the sale of council houses at the 2015 general election. She responded by stating that she had been transparent in her property dealings and had declared ownership of the properties per parliamentary rules in her register of interests.[12][13] Cameron made a complaint about the article to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) which was not upheld.[14] In 2018, she raised the independent outcome with the Secretary of State who supported her. She raised the matter after her daughter aged 7 years had been spoken to and recorded by a journalist. The Secretary of State agreed to meet her and her daughter and said “this is exactly the type of thing I am trying to put right”.[15]

2017 Parliament

Cameron retained her seat at the 2017 snap general election with 21,023 votes and both a reduced vote share and a majority of 3,866 votes.[16] The SNP lost one third of their MPs at this election.[17] Following the election, Cameron was elected to be part of the Health Select Committee and the Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion.[11] She was the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on Health, Chile, Disability, Dog Advisory Welfare, Psychology, Textile and Fashion and co-chair of the APPG on New Towns. She was also a vice-chair on the Pro-Life APPG.[18]

In 2017, Cameron launched the successful Lucy's Law campaign in the House of Commons against puppy farming which became statute in 2019.[19] In 2018, Cameron led the Ivory Bill for the SNP through the House of Commons.[20]

In 2019, Cameron described receiving abusive messages and threats with deselection after voting against legalising abortion in Northern Ireland in a conscience vote. An SNP assessor reportedly said he would recommend anyone with these views should have their application rejected to be a candidate and she should "quit her position as an elected representative."[21]

In September 2019, Cameron's local SNP branch passed a motion which criticised the National Executive Committee's decision “to impose Dr Lisa Cameron as the party's candidate in the forthcoming General Election for the second time".[22] Despite this, Cameron was reselected.[22]

2019 Parliament

2019 - 2023: Sitting as SNP MP

Cameron was returned to Parliament at the 2019 general election with a majority of 13,322.[23]  

On 29 June 2020, Cameron was the only SNP MP to vote on a motion to introduce a Bill to restrict anti-abortion demonstrations near abortion clinics in England. She voted against the motion, submitted on her behalf by the SNP Chief Whip.[24] Cameron claimed to receive over 3,000 "thank you notes" from people across Scotland supporting her anti-abortion stance and claiming to give them "a voice in parliament"[25] Following this, she received a death threat and said "freedom of religious belief appears to be being continually eroded".[26]

Cameron received an Award for Distinguished Contribution to Practice of Psychology from the British Psychological Society in 2020 for her work as a psychologist in NHS Scotland and on mental health in Parliament.[27] Cameron was reportedly given the title in 2021 as SNP Parliamentary Carers Champion for Carers Week.[28]

In 2022, Cameron was appointed Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Crypto and Digital Assets.[29] In March of that year, she received the MP of the Year Award from Patchwork Foundation for her disability activism and campaigns against online abuse.[30] Cameron was awarded the Order of Saint Agatha by the Republic of San Marino in October 2022.[31]

In January 2023, following the unprecedented decision of the UK Government to intervene to block the wholly devolved Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, Cameron wrote to Conservative Scottish Secretary Alister Jack calling on him to "find a resolution" in a way that didn't undermine the devolution settlement.[32] in Cameron reported that she was supporting women and girls in her constituency and Scotland, and SNP sources claimed that she was egging on Tory Secretary of State Alister Jack.[33]

2021-2024 All Party Parliamentary Group Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets Chair

Cameron set up and chaired the first All-party parliamentary group for cryptocurrency and digital assets in Parliament in 2021.[34] Cameron stated she was not personally invested in crypto but advocates for regulation.[35] in 2023, Cameron's group published the first Inquiry report into Cryptocurrency Regulation and realisation of the UKs ambition to become a crypto hub involving both MPs and Members of the House of Lords.[36] In 2024, Cameron led a debate iin Parliament calling for greater digital skills training. Cameron also said she believed the Governments vision of a Digital Britain was in reach and advocated for development of a cross party strategy.[37] Cameron said 'you cant keep your head in the sand and hope crypto goes away' and said that a best practice regime is needed.[38]

September-October 2023: "Ostracisation" and defection to Conservative Party

In September 2023, Cameron, who had chosen to re-contest selection for her seat at the next election, was one of five sitting SNP MPs involved in selection contests.[39] Cameron publicly threatened to resign, and call a by-election if SNP members did not nominate her as the candidate.[40] Cameron fell out with the party leadership over its handling of an MP who was suspended for making a sexual advance to a staff member but was due to be welcomed back by the party. She said “I was a psychologist before I was an MP and I don’t want to be in politics at any cost to my principles, as a Psychologist and as a human being.[41] Her comments were criticised by SNP leader Humza Yousaf.[42]

On 12 October, the day the result of her selection vote was to be announced, Cameron defected from the SNP to the Conservative Party.[43] Cameron had a difficult relationship with the SNP leadership for some time, she says since she spoke out in support of the harassment victim of fellow SNP MP Patrick Grady. She claimed “I will never regret my actions in standing up for a victim of abuse at the hands of an SNP MP last year, but I have no faith remaining in a party whose leadership supported the perpetrators interests over that of the victims and who have shown little to no interest in acknowledging or addressing the impact. Upon defection she stated that she wanted to “focus her energies constructive policies that benefit everyone across the four nations of the UK, and to move towards healing divisions caused by nationalism for the collective good.[44]

Grant Costello, who was leading in the selection contest,[43] was named SNP candidate for East Kilbride and Strathaven later that day.[45] On 13 October, Cameron said she and her family had to go into hiding after death threats following her defection.[46] stating this is where the political discourse has got to in Scotland.[47]

Humza Yousaf claimed that Cameron's defection was the "least-surprising news I've had as leader of the SNP", and called on her to resign as an MP.[48][49] Prime Minister, and Conservative Party Leader, Rishi Sunak, reported to have "masterminded"[50] the defection, hailed Cameron's decision as "brave".[51]

Many factors contributed to Cameron's defection.[43] On defecting, Cameron said she had long had a difficult relationship with the SNP leadership: citing an occasion she had allegedly spoken up internally in support of the harassment victim of fellow SNP MP Patrick Grady. She stated that she wanted to “focus her energies constructive policies that benefit everyone across the four nations of the UK, and to move towards healing divisions caused by nationalism for the collective good".[52] She referred to a "toxic and bullying atmosphere" in the SNP, where she felt ostracised, from which she had suffered panic attacks. Her decision earlier in the year to write to the UK Government calling for action against the Scottish gender recognition law was cited as a key point.[43] Cameron said she could not have joined the Labour Party due to her Christianity and views on transgender rights, citing the experiences of her friend Rosie Duffield.[53] Later that month Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour she had changed her views regarding Scottish independence.[54] stating "“I feel like Scotland’s exhausted by nationalism and all of our services are exhausted now. It’s become very divisive".[55]

Disability Activism

Cameron chaired the Disability All Party Parliamentary Group in the House of Commons from 2015 and became one of the few Disability Confident Level 2 employers, also asking the Prime Minister to sign up to this scheme.[56] In 2021, Cameron led a debate in Parliament on the United Nations Day of Persons with Disabilities.[57] Cameron also spearheaded a debate on accessible and inclusive education for disabled children in Parliament.[58] In 2022, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle presented Cameron with an Award and praised her indefatigable campaigning on disability.[59] In 2024, Cameron championed an internship event in Parliament in 2024 for young adults with learning disabilities supported by the Speaker.[60]

Post-defection parliamentary career

Shortly after her defection, Cameron announced she would not be standing as a candidate for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow at the next at the next general election,[61] citing the "trauma of receiving threats of violence within a toxic local political context".[62]

In December 2023, it was announced that Cameron had been made Parliamentary Private Secretary for Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.[63] In March 2024, Cameron was awarded with a lifetime award for services to disability by disability charity Universal Inclusion presented to her by the Minister for State for Disabled People Mims Davies.[64]

In June 2024, she was unsuccessful in the selection contest to succeed John Redwood in his Wokingham seat.[65] Cameron said she hoped the UK would see a positive election campaign.[62]

Personal life

Cameron has been married to Mark Horsham since 2009,[3][12] and they have two daughters and live in South Lanarkshire.[6] Horsham has been a councillor for the Clydesdale South ward on for South Lanarkshire Council since 2017 and is the council's Veteran's Champion. He won an Award as New Councillor of the Year in Scotland 2020.[66] Following Cameron's defection, Horsham announced he was "stepping back" from his duties as an SNP councillor.[67] Eleven days later, on 23 October, he too left the party.[68] He cited his safety concern for his wife and children due to threats received towards his family.[69]

Cameron attends the evangelical Free Church of Scotland.[53]

References

  1. ^ a b "Biography for Dr Lisa Cameron". MyParliament. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  2. ^ "SNP MP Lisa Cameron defects to the Conservatives, citing 'toxic and bullying' culture". Politics.co.uk. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Cameron, Dr Lisa (Who's Who, online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U284006. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "About Lisa". Lisa Cameron. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b Millsfirst=Eleanor (5 May 2024). "Lisa Cameron MP: 'I was bullied out of the SNP. They were autocratic and intolerant'". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Nicol, Lynda (12 February 2015). "Newcomer Lisa Cameron chosen by SNP to contest East Kilbride seat in UK election". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  7. ^ a b c "5 minutes with..." British Psychological Society. July 2015. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Scottish referendum: Scotland votes 'No' to independence". BBC News. 19 September 2014. Archived from the original on 19 July 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  9. ^ "East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Psychology matters: Psychology, politics and public service" (PDF). British Psychological Society. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Dr Lisa Cameron MP". parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  12. ^ a b Johnson, Simon (5 January 2016). "Nicola Sturgeon urged to investigate two SNP MPs". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  13. ^ "Register of Members' Financial Interest as at 9 October 2017" (PDF). parliament.uk. pp. 63–64. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  14. ^ "02714-16 Cameron v Scottish Daily Mail". Independent Press Standards Organisation. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Guidance about how to seek redress against media organisations". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  16. ^ "East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  17. ^ "General election 2017: SNP lose a third of seats amid Tory surge". BBC News. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Register of All-Party Parliamentary Groups" (PDF). parliament.uk. 8 November 2017. pp. 38, 371, 375, 648, 704, 823.
  19. ^ "Business of the House – Thursday 14 December 2017 – Hansard – UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk.
  20. ^ "Lisa Cameron extracts from Ivory Bill (Third sitting) (Thu 14th Jun 2018)". www.parallelparliament.co.uk.
  21. ^ Scott, Marion (14 July 2019). "I voted to keep abortion illegal after losing my babies, but my party's reaction left me furious". Sunday Post.
  22. ^ a b Learmonth, Andrew (28 September 2023). "Christina McKelvie urges SNP members to oust Lisa Cameron". The Herald. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  23. ^ UK, Parliament. "East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow". UK parliament.
  24. ^ "SNP's mental health spokesperson voted against move to limit abortion clinic protests". theferret.scot. 30 June 2020.
  25. ^ "SNP abortion – Bing video". www.bing.com.
  26. ^ "MP receives death threat after voting pro-life". Christian Concern. 16 July 2020.
  27. ^ "BPS Practice Board 2020 winners". www.bps.org.uk.
  28. ^ "Video Address to Carers – Dr Lisa Cameron MP". 11 June 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  29. ^ Kumar, Harsh (26 October 2022). "Crypto Industry Hopes UK PM Rishi Sunak Will Keep Promise He Made As Pro-Crypto Chancellor". Outlook. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  30. ^ "MP Lisa Cameron recognised for work on online abuse and disability campaigning". 20 March 2022.
  31. ^ "San Marino celebrates a new Knight of the Order of St Agatha". Consulate of the Republic of San Marino to the UK. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  32. ^ Meighan, Craig (26 January 2023). "SNP MP asked Alister Jack to 'prevent' Scotland's gender reform bill". The National. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  33. ^ "SNP MP accused of 'egging on' Jack to intervene over gender recognition reform". The Herald. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Crypto and Digital Assets APPG". www.parallelparliament.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  35. ^ www.binance.com https://www.binance.com/en-GB/square/post/482218. Retrieved 14 June 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. ^ "APPG Publishes Inquiry Report on Crypto and Digital Assets". CryptoUK. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  37. ^ Orme-Claye, Ted (27 March 2024). "How close is a 'Digital Britain'? Lisa Cameron MP urges cross-party crypto strategy".
  38. ^ Cash, Justin (17 December 2022). "Financial News London". www.fnlondon.com/. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  39. ^ "SNP MPs face challengers in selection battles". BBC News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  40. ^ "SNP MP Lisa Cameron 'can't rule out forcing a by-election'". BBC News. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  41. ^ "SNP MP Lisa Cameron 'can't rule out forcing a by-election'". BBC News. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  42. ^ McCall, Chris (25 September 2023). "Humza Yousaf insists SNP members will decide if Lisa Cameron stands again at general election". The Daily Record. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  43. ^ a b c d Gordon, Tom (13 October 2023). "Lisa Cameron's defection has deeper roots than deselection threat". The Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Explained in five minutes: Why Lisa Cameron quit the SNP for the Tories". The Herald. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  45. ^ Wilson, Louise (12 October 2023). "SNP confirms staffer to contest Lisa Cameron's seat at next general election". Holyrood. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  46. ^ "SNP MP who defected to Tories 'forced into hiding' over 'threats'". STV News. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  47. ^ "MP Dr Lisa Cameron who defected to Tories 'forced into hiding'". BBC News. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  48. ^ Carrell, Severin; Brooks, Libby (12 October 2023). "Humza Yousaf urges Lisa Cameron to resign as MP after Tory defection". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  49. ^ Alistair, Grant (12 October 2023). "Humza Yousaf urges MP Lisa Cameron to resign after she defects from SNP to Tories". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  50. ^ "Rishi Sunak masterminded Lisa Cameron's Tory defection, Alister Jack claims". The National. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  51. ^ Peterson, Kirsteen (12 October 2023). "Rishi Sunak welcomes 'brave' Lisa Cameron to Conservative party after SNP defection". Holyrood. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Explained in five minutes: Why Lisa Cameron quit the SNP for the Tories". The Herald. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  53. ^ a b Wade, Mike (13 October 2023). "Lisa Cameron forced into hiding over violent threats after defection to Tories". The Times. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  54. ^ "Turncoat MP Lisa Cameron says Scotland 'exhausted by nationalism'". Herald Scotland. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  55. ^ "Turncoat SNP MP who joined Tories insists Scotland 'exhausted by nationalism'". The Herald. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  56. ^ Garscadden, Nicola (17 November 2021). "MP leads the way in encouraging disability inclusion in Parliament". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Dr Lisa Cameron MP leads debate on United Nations Day of Persons with Disabilities in the House of Commons | Disability Rights UK". www.disabilityrightsuk.org. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  58. ^ "Disabled Children: Accessible and Inclusive Education". Disabled Children: Accessible and Inclusive Education. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  59. ^ Scott, Marion (20 March 2022). "MP Lisa Cameron recognised for work on online abuse and disability campaigning". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  60. ^ Lambrou, Andrea (1 April 2024). "EK MP champions internship event for young adults with learning disabilities". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  61. ^ "MP Lisa Cameron rejects calls for a by-election". BBC News. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  62. ^ a b Tonner, Judith (23 May 2024). "Lanarkshire voters head for the polls in July 4 general election". Daily Record. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  63. ^ Meighan, Craig (12 December 2023). "SNP MP who defected to Tories made Alister Jack's assistant". STV News. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  64. ^ Lambrou, Andrea (26 March 2024). "Lisa Cameron MP honoured with inaugural Disability Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  65. ^ "Conservatives choose John Redwood replacement in Wokingham". Bracknell News. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  66. ^ "LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards 2020". LGIU.org. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  67. ^ Gordon, Tom (12 October 2023). "Husband of Tory defector Lisa Cameron 'steps back' as SNP councillor". The Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  68. ^ Hutcheon, Paul (23 October 2023). "Lisa Cameron's husband quits SNP just weeks after MP's defection to Tories". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  69. ^ Lambrou, Andrea (24 October 2023). "Lisa Cameron's husband quits SNP after MP switches to Conservatives". Daily Record. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
2015–2024 		Constituency abolished
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