MARGARET EWING MSP
Posted on Tuesday, March 21 2006
The death has been announced of Moray SNP MSP Margaret Ewing. She was 60 years old and had been suffering ill health for some time.· Margaret was first elected as one of youngest MPs in 1974 for East Dunbartonshire · Elected in Moray in 1987 and re-elected 5 times · Renowned local campaigner, especially for the retention of maternity services in Elgin · Stood for the SNP leadership in 1990 against Alex Salmond · Interests in education and the developing world · Member of the UK-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and Commonwealth Parliamentary Assembly Speaking after the announcement SNP leader Alex Salmond MP said: “Margaret Ewing was an outstanding Member of Parliament in both Westminster and in Scotland and a hugely supportive friend and colleague. She will be missed across the political spectrum because Margaret was one of the few politicians without an enemy in the world. “Her love for her beautiful constituency of Moray was well known and her constituents responded in full measure by electing her five times in succession and in 2003, by a record majority, despite a debilitating illness. “She was elected first in the 1970s as the youngest MP with the smallest majority but it was when she returned to the House of Commons as MP for Moray that she really made her mark deploying great political skill. “I got to know her well from 1987 when she led a group of only three of us in the Westminster Parliament, which she did with grace and style. In addition to her abiding concern for education she added a vital international dimension to the SNP and was hugely respected for her work with developing countries and the Baltic States, then gaining their independence from the Soviet Union. “Margaret also possessed a wicked sense of humour and her running commentaries at Westminster on a variety of Government Ministers were a joy to listen to. She carried that mastery of the devastating debating one liners into the Scots Parliament as in 2001 when she reduced the entire Parliament to tears of laughter by offering the single word "Henry" to the then First Minister McLeish who was searching for an "unparliamentary expression beginning in h and ending in y". “Above all she will be missed by the SNP members on whose behalf I have expressed our condolences to her husband Fergus, her mother-in-law Winnie, her sister-in-law Annabelle and the rest of the family.”SNP Holyrood Leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP added: “"Margaret was an outstanding parliamentarian and an inspiration to all who knew her, not least in the brave way she fought illness in recent times. She will be hugely missed by her constituents whose corner she fought tirelessly over many years. Margaret was, of course, a nationalist to her core; Scotland's cause was her cause and the national movement has today lost one of its finest ambassadors. “I and all of my colleagues in Holyrood will miss her optimism, her dedication and her friendship. I, in particular, will miss her wise counsel. Our thoughts are with Fergus and the rest of the family at this sad time.”Moray MP Angus Robertson spoke warmly about his Scottish Parliament colleague: “This is a very sad day for the whole Ewing family. Margaret was held in the highest esteem in Moray and her loss will be felt throughout the community. “She was well known as a hard-working local parliamentarian who battled for the interests of her constituents. Margaret was at the forefront of the campaign to save maternity services in Elgin. “Over recent years she fought bravely against cancer, which never diminished her energy for the independence cause. Margaret even attended the AGM of Moray SNP Constituency Association two days ago, despite ill health. “At this time my thoughts are with Fergus, Winnie, Annabelle and the rest of the Ewing family. BIOGRAPHY Margaret was born in Lanark on 1 September 1945, and graduated BA Hons in Economic History at Strathclyde University and MA at Glasgow University. - 1956-1964 Biggar High School - Glasgow University, MA, graduated 1967 - Jordanhill College of Education, Glasgow, Diploma, obtained 1968 - Strathclyde University, BA, graduated 1973 She was MP for East Dumbartonshire from 1974-79, then MP for Moray from 1987 before going on to represent the same constituency from 1999 in the new Scottish Parliament.- 1981-1987 Co-ordinator West of Scotland Certificate in Social Service Scheme - 1979-1981 Freelance journalist - 1972-1974 Principal Teacher, Remedial Education - 1968-1974 Secondary School Teacher She was a member of the following Scottish Parliament committees: - Member of the European and External Relations Committee - Convener of the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Bill Committee Her parliamentary interests included: - Convener of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy - Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Lupus - Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Autistic Spectrum Disorder - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament for Learning Disability - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fertility Services - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Loss of Consultant Led Services in Scotland -Solutions - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on M.E. - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Mens Violence Against Women and Children - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Mental Health - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palliative Care - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse - Member of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tackling Debt She was a long standing member of the SNP's National Executive and served as Deputy Leader from 1984-87. - Leader of Scottish Parliamentary Group, 1999-2002 - Leader of Westminster Parliamentary Group, 1987-99 ENDS
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