The Scottish Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Christina McKelvie, has sadly passed away at the age of 57. Ms McKelvie had been on medical leave since last year, following treatment for secondary breast cancer. She died on Thursday morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. First Minister John Swinney expressed his devastation at her passing, describing her as “one of the kindest and most generous people” he had ever met. He also noted her lasting impact as a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and as a valued minister.
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Christina McKelvie grew up in Glasgow’s Easterhouse and entered politics after being inspired by the injustices her family faced during her childhood. She was first elected as an MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse in 2007. As an equalities minister from 2008 to 2023, she introduced impactful policies, such as the world’s first strategy to address social isolation as a health issue and the legislation banning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Ms McKelvie also played a key role in the introduction of Clare’s Law, which allows individuals to request information about a partner’s history of abuse.
In her recent role as Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Ms McKelvie faced Scotland’s rising drug deaths, working to promote harm reduction and rehabilitation efforts. Her dedication to public service was unwavering, and she leaves behind a significant legacy in both health and social equality matters. Mr Swinney praised her commitment, stating that her loss would be felt deeply across Scotland.
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Ms McKelvie is survived by her long-term partner, Keith Brown, the deputy leader of the SNP, and her two sons, Lewis and Jack. Mr Brown paid tribute to her, remembering her passion for advocacy, especially in supporting people living with Motor Neurone Disease and raising breast cancer awareness. He described her as a beacon of positivity, whose light will be greatly missed.
