Christina McKelvie

Christina McKelvie (4 March 1968 – 27 March 2025) was a Scottish politician and social worker who served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from 2011 until her death in 2025. A member of the Scottish National Party, she previously represented the Central Scotland region from 2007 to 2011.

McKelvie 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. In February 2024, she was appointed Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, serving in this position until her death.

Early life McKelvie was born in Glasgow on 4 March 1968. 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. She was an active trade unionist with Unison. 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.

In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development. She visited Malawi and supported the Scotland Malawi Partnership taking SDG 5: Gender Equality as a priority.

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.

Illness and death McKelvie attended a screening mammogram in December 2020 and was diagnosed with breast cancer on 3 February 2021, although did not make details of her illness public until after she was re-elected as an MSP in May 2021. She completed her course of treatment in 2021 and was deemed to be in remission.

In June 2024, McKelvie was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She went on leave from her post as Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy in August 2024 to focus on her treatment. Her intention was to continue with her treatment.

McKelvie died from her illness at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on 27 March 2025, at the age of 57. Her funeral was held on 11 April 2025 at Daldowie Crematorium near Uddingston.

Honours In February 2026, the Christina McKelvie Equality in Action Award was established by the Christina McKelvie Celebration Committee to commemorate her life and values.