Christina McKelvie

Christina McKelvie
MSP
Official portrait, 2023
Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 February 2024
First MinisterHumza Yousaf
John Swinney
Preceded byElena Whitham
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development
In office
29 March 2023 – 8 February 2024
First MinisterHumza Yousaf
Preceded byNeil Gray
Succeeded byKaukab Stewart
Minister for Equalities and Older People
In office
28 June 2018 – 29 March 2023
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byJeane Freeman
Succeeded byEmma Roddick
Convener of the Equalities & Human Rights Committee
In office
29 September 2016 – 28 June 2018
Preceded byMargaret McCulloch
Succeeded byRuth Maguire
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 May 2011
Preceded byConstituency established
Majority5,437 (12.6%)
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Central Scotland
In office
3 May 2007 – 5 May 2011
Personal details
Born (1968-03-04) 4 March 1968 (age 56)
Glasgow, Scotland
Political partyScottish National Party
Alma materUniversity of St Andrews
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionSocial worker

Christina McKelvie (born 4 March 1968) is a Scottish politician. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since 2011, having previously represented the Central Scotland region from 2007 to 2011.

She served as Minister for Equalities and Older People from 2018 to 2023, before being promoted to Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development by Humza Yousaf. On 8 February 2024, as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of Michael Matheson as Health Secretary, she was appointed Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy. [1]

Early life

McKelvie was born on 4 March 1968 in Glasgow.[2] She grew up in Easterhouse, in the East End of the city, and was educated at St Leonard's Secondary School. McKelvie then went on to gain qualifications from Anniesland College, Cardonald College, and the University of St Andrews.[2] She worked in the social work services department of Glasgow City Council as a learning and development officer.[3] She has been an active trade unionist with Unison.[3]

Political career

In 2007, McKelvie was selected as the SNP candidate for the Hamilton South constituency where she was unsuccessful, however she was elected through the regional list to represent the Central Scotland region. At the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, McKelvie contested the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat and was elected. She served as convener of the European and External Relations Committee from 14 June 2011 until 23 March 2016.[4]

In 2016, she was re-elected to the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency.[5][6] Within Parliament she became the Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee.

In February 2021 she announced a short medical leave. Her ministerial role was covered by Shirley-Anne Somerville who would fill in as minister for equalities and older people.[7]

In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.[8]

In February 2024 she was appointed as Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy. [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Neil Gray replaces Michael Matheson as Scottish health secretary". BBC News. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Current MSPs: Christina McKelvie: Personal information". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b "MSPs". STV News. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Previous MSPs: session 4: Christina McKelvie". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  5. ^ Russell, Greg (6 May 2016). "McKelvie holds Hamilton for SNP". The National. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Scotland Election 2016: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse: Scottish Parliament constituency". BBC News. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  7. ^ "SNP's Christina McKelvie takes medical leave from ministerial role". BBC News. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  8. ^ Paton, Craig (29 March 2023). "Yousaf says SNP is 'united' as he appoints supporters to his first Cabinet". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 March 2023.