Page "Tam Dalyell" Paragraph 3

He became a Member of Parliament in June 1962, when he defeated William Wolfe of the Scottish National Party in a hard fought by-election for West Lothian.

From 1983 onwards, he represented Linlithgow ( when the New Town of Livingston split off to form its own constituency ) and easily retained his position as their representative.

He became Father of the House after the 2001 General Election, when Sir Edward Heath retired.

He was a Member of the European Parliament from 1975 to 1979, and a member of the Labour National Executive from 1986 to 1987 for the Campaign group.