Jim has been an MSP since 2003 when he became one of the SNPs Regional MSPs for the Highlands and Islands and was elected MSP for Argyll & Bute in the 2007 elections.

Since taking up his place at Holyrood he has been one of the party’s most active MSPs, concentrating on improving Scotland’s economic performance.

As the SNP’s Shadow Enterprise Minister Jim has taken the Economic case for Scottish Independence and the SNP’s proposals for Scotland’s economy around Scotland’s boardrooms. 

He has been an active campaigner on the issue of west coast ferries, especially the Gourock-Dunoon route and is currently busy exposing the Executive’s failure to manage Scottish Water and the problems that is causing for bill payers, businesses and the prospects of new development across Scotland.  He was also part of the team that discovered 30 year old secret papers on Scotland’s oil wealth “the McCrone papers”. 

Jim was a Founding Director of the Scotland Funds, a charity aimed at improving the social, economic and cultural position of Scotland with help from ex-pat Scots.  He has also been a director of Scotland in Europe and Business for Scotland.