James Braid (politician)

James Braid

Scottish nationalist politician

Born at Newark, St Monans, Braid studied at the Waid Academy in Anstruther before becoming a painter and decorator. He joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) and was elected to St Monans Burgh Council before World War II. During the war, he served as a pilot with the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, then, on his return, began working for the local electricity board.^[1]

First elected

Fife County Council.^[1] He came to greater attention with a lively speech at the SNP conference in 1964,^[2] Following this, he worked with James C. Lees and Ian Macdonald to set up new branches of the party, and in 1966 was elected as a vice-chairman of the party, with responsibility for publicity.^[3]^[4]

He also stood for the SNP in East Fife at the 1964, 1966, 1970, February and October 1974 general elections, gradually increasing his share of the vote from 6.8% to 31.8%, although he was never elected.^[5]^[6]

Braid once parked his car on the pier at St Monans, then, on returning, accidentally reversed it into the harbour. He emerged unharmed.^[7]

In 1975, Braid was awarded the

independent councillor, winning his final election early in 1999, and by his death was the longest-serving councillor in Scotland.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c James Rougvie, "James Braid, OBE, DFC, Councillor, Former Provost and Parliamentary Candidate", The Scotsman, 28 May 1999
^ "James Braid", The Scotsman, 2 June 1999
^ Peter D. Wright, "Dr James C Lees", April 2001
^ "History of the SNP Archived 8 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine", Aberdeen SNP
^ F. W. S. Craig, British parliamentary election results 1950–1973
^ F. W. S. Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1974 - 1983
^ John Lloyd, "Mixed memories of a Scottish childhood", Financial Times, 12 September 2014

Party political offices
Preceded by William Wolfe	Scottish National Party Vice Chairman (Publicity) 1966–1969	Succeeded by Michael Grieve and Hugh MacDonald

[scotsman-1] James Rougvie, "James Braid, OBE, DFC, Councillor, Former Provost and Parliamentary Candidate", The Scotsman, 28 May 1999

[2] "James Braid", The Scotsman, 2 June 1999

[obituary-3] Peter D. Wright, "Dr James C Lees", April 2001

[4] "History of the SNP Archived 8 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine", Aberdeen SNP

[5] F. W. S. Craig, British parliamentary election results 1950–1973

[6] F. W. S. Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1974 - 1983

[7] John Lloyd, "Mixed memories of a Scottish childhood", Financial Times, 12 September 2014

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