Meeting of the Parliament 02 April 2025
There were a lot of hats in Christina’s life, from the iconic pink berets, bowlers and cowboy hats to the pussy hat that she wore in this chamber. What we forget about that day is how she so powerfully decried Trump and what he was doing in America. Thank you, Martha, for the crafting.
My heart goes out to Dionne, Alex, Neil, Marianne and Lindsey; to our shared staff, David and Claire; and to all those who worked with Christina over the years. My heart also goes out to the wider Parliament community and to our staff here, including Kirsty, the barista; Audrey in security; and our mace-bearer, Robert, all of whom were favourites. Christina also had many friends in the consular corps of Edinburgh, and I know that they are hurting today.
Christina was the first SNP group trade union liaison in this Parliament. She was the first person to champion the cause of MND and MND nurses. She was the first committee convener to champion eradicating the scourge of human trafficking. Her outstanding work with the Gypsy Traveller community has also been mentioned, as evidenced by Tommy’s lovely poem that was shared by Jack on his Facebook. She was the first to raise the issues of revenge porn and menopause stigma, and to fight for Clare’s law. She was the first in line at any pride march. She was the first with a boot on the ground as we walked up the hill to protest at Dungavel with the other Lanarkshire lassies.
Christina was the first on the dance floor, the tables and, occasionally, the bar at the legendary Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Burns suppers, with her great friend Councillor Lynn Adams. I hope that they are dancing together today.
Christina was the first to offer a hand of friendship to support those in need and to give a voice to those who had none. She was the last person who would ever have let anyone down. She had yet more hats: she was an amazing mum, granny, sister, partner, aunt, daughter and friend. All in her and Keith’s lovely blended family adored her.
I will always remember a magical summer evening in Dubrovnik in 2019. An orchestra played beside us while we ate dinner. As the “Ode to Joy” finale was echoing round the square, we all stood alongside the many Europeans who were there that night, hands on hearts, tears in our eyes, mourning what we were about to lose. But, of course, it only fired her spirit to fight all the more for our independence, and to have Scotland rightfully back in the family of European nations. So, you have been telt, folks.
Christina lit up all our lives, and our world will forever be duller without her. [Applause.]
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