First elected to Parliament in May 2010, Graeme lives locally in the constituency.

Graeme has been a local councillor in West Lothian since 1987.  He led the Labour group between 1992 and 2010, and was leader of West Lothian Council between 1995 and 2007.  He chaired the West Lothian Community Planning Partnership – widely renowned as one of the most successful in the country.
 
Under his leadership, West Lothian Council was awarded the prestigious accolade ‘UK Council of the Year’ in 2006.  Graeme was also the executive finance spokesperson for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) until his election. 
  
Graeme served on both the boards of NHS Lothian and the former West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust.  He was also chair of the West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership – one of the first CHCPs in Scotland.
 
He was also a member of Lothian Enterprise Board, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothian and chaired both West Lothian Economic Partnership and West Lothian Housing Partnership.
 
Graeme has a wealth of experience in fighting for West Lothian and its people, and a proven track record of commitment and service to the community.  During his long service in local government he has acquired a reputation as a hardworking, effective and readily accessible local elected representative.
 
Graeme is a member of the Co-operative party and Unite the union.  He is currently the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Margaret Curran MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.