Edinburgh has given the world countless individuals who have achieved global recognition. Through their work and immense talent, they have made significant impacts in various fields. Writers, scientists, artists, and politicians—all these figures embody Edinburgh’s spirit of ingenuity, and the results of their work are a valuable asset to society. More at edinburghyes.
Andrew Ewan Henderson Hendry, known as Drew Hendry, has made his name as a successful politician. His work has been instrumental in improving the lives of his constituents and introducing important new initiatives.
It is important to note that Drew’s political career is marked by a remarkably rapid progression. This becomes clear when examining his biography, as his journey has been a series of steps that allowed him to steadily climb the ranks within the political community.
Where It All Began
The future political figure was born on 31 May 1964 in Edinburgh.
Interestingly, Drew himself states that his serious interest in politics began in his teenage years, specifically sparked by the 1979 Scottish devolution referendum.
The Path to Politics
Drew’s own political journey began in 2007. It was then, during local elections, that he was first elected to represent the Aird and Loch Ness ward on the Highland Council.
In the same year, he joined the board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority. When the European Parliament elections were held in 2009, Hendry was selected as one of the candidates for the Scottish National Party (SNP).
He later became the leader of the SNP group on the Highland Council in 2011.
Career Development
However, a significant and interesting turn in Drew’s career came in 2012. Following the local elections in Scotland, Hendry was returned as the second-placed candidate in his ward, which led to a shift in the political landscape.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats, the Scottish Labour Party, and the Scottish National Party formed a coalition to run the council. As leader of the SNP group, Drew Hendry was appointed Leader of the Highland Council.
It is fair to say this was a unique moment, as it was the first time the Independents had been removed from the administration of the Highland Council.
Another Step Forward
November 2014 marked a new stage in Drew’s political career. He decided to stand as a candidate in the upcoming election for the Westminster Parliament.
By January 2015, it was confirmed that Hendry would contest the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey seat in the 2015 general election. In a remarkable result, Drew won the election, winning the seat from his high-profile opponent despite having spent significantly less on his campaign.
Expanding Responsibilities
In May 2015, Hendry was appointed the SNP’s spokesperson for Transport at Westminster. In 2017, his party portfolio expanded when he also became the spokesperson for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
An Important Decision
It should be noted that upon being elected as an MP, Hendry decided to step down from his position as Leader of the Highland Council. He explained this move by stating his desire to focus all his efforts on his new duties as a Member of Parliament.
Achievements
Speaking of Hendry’s political activity, it is impossible not to highlight certain achievements that have become the hallmarks of his career.
For instance, Drew played a key role in establishing the real Living Wage for public sector employees. The politician also made a significant contribution to the creation of the Science Skills Academy and to the “Carbon Clever” initiative, which aims for Inverness to achieve carbon-neutral status by 2025.
In 2020, Hendry also publicly supported the Scottish Government’s move to introduce additional financial support for students facing hardship.
A New Role
The year 2023 brought another new turn in Drew’s political career. In the run-up to the next general election, he was appointed the SNP’s Westminster spokesperson for the Economy. This appointment was driven by the party leadership’s desire to sharpen its focus on issues of energy and economic growth.
Thus, Drew Hendry is a prime example of how a youthful passion can blossom into a primary career. It is often from a young age that we identify the fields that interest us most, which can later be chosen as a profession.
Hendry did just that, and judging by his numerous achievements, it was the right decision. In him, the political community found a public servant who is genuinely committed to his work and, of course, spares no effort to achieve the best results.
And in politics, as we know, such an approach is the ultimate key to success.