Minister for Europe

Jim Murphy, MP for East Renfrewshire, was appointed Minister of State and Minister for Europe on 29 June 2007.

He has been an MP for East Renfrewshire – formerly Eastwood –  since 1997. He was a Government Whip from 2002 - 2005 and then Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office from 2005 - 2006 and, most recently, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions from 2006 - 2007.

Born in August 1967, he grew up in Glasgow and Cape Town. He was educated in Scotland and South Africa.

He is married to Claire who is a primary school teacher, and has three young children. He has captained the Parliamentary Football Team and has a season ticket at Celtic.

Responsibilities

• European Union and Europe
• Russian, South Caucasus, Central Asia
• Balkans
• Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova
• Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe,  NATO
• Public Diplomacy Board