Irene Campbell

Irene Campbell
MP
Irene Campbell MP
	Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament; for North Ayrshire and Arran
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 4 July 2024
Preceded by	Patricia Gibson
Personal details
Born	1964; Saltcoats
Political party	Labour
Website	www.facebook.com/IreneCampbellMP

Irene Campbell is a Scottish Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran since 2024.^[1]

In the town of Saltcoats, she is the chair of SPLASH, a group seeking funding to refurbish the town's outdoor tidal pool.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6]