Overview

• Christina McKelvie, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, passed away on March 27, 2025, at Glasgow Royal Infirmary after battling secondary breast cancer.
• McKelvie served as an MSP since 2007, representing Central Scotland and later Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse, and held several ministerial roles over her career.
• She was widely recognized for her advocacy on social justice, equality, and health awareness, including using her platform to promote breast cancer screenings after her own diagnosis.
• McKelvie spearheaded landmark initiatives such as Scotland's first strategy to address social isolation and loneliness as a health issue and legislation banning female genital mutilation.
• Tributes from First Minister John Swinney and others highlighted her dedication, compassion, and pride in her working-class roots in Easterhouse, which inspired her political journey.