Irene Campbell

Irene Campbell is a Scottish Labour politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran since 2024.

Before her election to Parliament, She worked in several senior roles with the health service, as well as jobs as a business analyst and project manager with the Civil Service.

In the town of Saltcoats, she is the chair of SPLASH, a group seeking funding to refurbish the town's outdoor tidal pool.

Early life and education
Irene Campbell was born in 1964 in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire. She was educated locally at Auchenharvie Academy before attending university gaining a BA (Hons) and later a master's degree.

Her neighbour growing up was David Lambie, Labour MP for Cunninghame South until 1992. She was involved in his campaigns from a very young age.

In her youth she swam competitively.

Career prior to parliament
Campbell joined the civil service at the age of 19 and moved to London. She became in involved in the trade union movement during this time, joining the Civil and Public Services Association and was very active in the strikes around the Civil Service pay deal.

She was involved in the picket line outside Downing Street during Margaret Thatcher's premiership where the picketers stopped the East German and Chinese Governments from entering. Thatcher infamously rebuked the young picketers.

Returning to her home town, she has worked in the National Health Service for the last 20 years as a project manager. In this role she served as a UNITE representative and was one of the few candidates in 2024 to receive UNITE's backing.

She also served for a time as Chair of North Ayrshire Women's Aid.

SPLASH Group
During the pandemic, Irene became frustrated at the fact swimming pools were closed and Saltcoats had an outdoor pool which had been left in a dilapidated state for a number of years.

In response, Irene founded the SPLASH Group which has been looking into getting investment to bring the tidal pool back into use which has involved work with architects.

She had fond memories of the former pool from her time growing up in the town - and so the idea to return it to its former glory was born.

Since that time feasibility study and engineer’s reports have been completed, confirming that a revival of the outdoor bathing pool would be possible - and would cost in the region of £500,000.

Career in Parliament
Campbell was elected as the Scottish Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran on a 21.5% swing to Labour from the SNP, unseating the 9 year incumbent Patricia Gibson.

Campbell was sworn in on the 10th July 2024 and has committed to being a community based MP.

Personal life
Campbell lives in her home-town of Saltcoats and enjoys swimming.

Campbell is the younger sister of Professor Andy Campbell.