Meeting of the Parliament 02 April 2025
This afternoon, it is my sad duty to introduce a motion of condolence in the name of the First Minister. The flags at Holyrood fly at half mast today in honour of our dear parliamentary colleague Christina McKelvie MSP. We stand with our friend and colleague Keith Brown MSP.
On behalf of all members and on behalf of all who work in the Scottish Parliament, I give my warmest welcome to Christina and Keith’s family, who join us today. Christina spoke of Lewis and Jack with such love and pride, and she adored her grandchildren. Please accept our deepest condolences and our most sincere sympathies. There has been an outpouring of respect and affection for Christina from across the chamber, across the Parliament and from far and wide in these difficult days, and I hope that you will take comfort and solace from the great number of messages that you have received.
Only a few short weeks ago, Christina announced that she would not seek re-election in May next year. She wrote:
“It has been the honour of my life to have had the opportunity to represent the people of Central Scotland and the communities of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse over the past 18 years.”
She wrote, too, of her pride in all that she had achieved as an MSP, as a convener and as a minister—rightly and deservedly so. Christina’s desire to make things better for people defined her approach to public service. Her own illness made her doubly determined to use her position to raise awareness and to advocate for others.
The Parliament community is sad and subdued. We feel Christina’s loss sorely. She was a passionate debater in the chamber, but she had such great chat in the garden lobby, too. When it came to wearing it pink, no one wore it like Christina. We will miss her.
14:03