Jim Sillars is a former Labour MP (South Ayrshire 1970-76) who resigned from the UK party to found the Scottish Labour Party and campaign for Home Rule. After losing his seat in 1979 he joined the SNP in 1980, winning the 1988 by-election for Glasgow Govan and serving as its MP until 1992. He also served as Depute Leader of the SNP and remains an active political campaigner on many issues.