He was an economist before becoming a parliamentarian, and had been the SNP's national organiser.

Ingram stood as a candidate in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency in the first four Scottish Parliament elections.

In the first three elections he lost to Labour's Cathy Jamieson but was elected as a list MSP for the South of Scotland region each time in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

He was elected to the constituency in the 2011 election with a majority of 2,581 votes over his nearest rival, Richard Leonard, future Leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

Ingram was a shadow deputy minister from 2000 onwards, with responsibility for Children and Early Education from 2004.