Michael Hirst

Sir Michael William Hirst (born 2 January 1946) is a former Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party politician, chartered accountant and public relations consultant, company director and past president of the International Diabetes Federation. Early life Hirst studied at Glasgow Academy and the University of Glasgow. Before entering politics, Hirst had a career as a chartered accountant and partner in Peat Marwick, now KPMG. Political career Hirst fought several elections before being successful. In February and October 1974 he stood at Central Dunbartonshire without success. At the 1979 general election he contested East Dunbartonshire but was again defeated. He was elected Member of Parliament for Strathkelvin and Bearsden at the 1983 general election, but lost the seat to Labour's Sam Galbraith at the 1987 election.