Christina McKelvie (4 March 1968 – 27 March 2025) was a Scottish politician and social worker who was a member of theScottish National Party (SNP), she was theMember of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) forHamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from2011 until her death in 2025, having previously represented theCentral Scotland region from2007 to 2011.

Christina McKelvie
Official portrait, 2023
Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy
In office 8 February 2024 – 27 March 2025
First Minister	Humza Yousaf John Swinney
Preceded by	Elena Whitham
Succeeded by	Vacant
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development
In office 29 March 2023 – 8 February 2024
First Minister	Humza Yousaf
Preceded by	Neil Gray
Succeeded by	Kaukab Stewart
Minister for Equalities and Older People
In office 28 June 2018 – 29 March 2023
First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Preceded by	Jeane Freeman
Succeeded by	Emma Roddick
Convener of theEqualities & Human Rights Committee
In office 29 September 2016 – 28 June 2018
Preceded by	Margaret McCulloch
Succeeded by	Ruth Maguire
Member of the Scottish Parliament forHamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
In office 5 May 2011 – 27 March 2025
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Vacant
Member of the Scottish Parliament forCentral Scotland
In office 3 May 2007 – 5 May 2011
Personal details
Born	(1968-03-04)4 March 1968 Glasgow, Scotland
Died	27 March 2025(2025-03-27) (aged 57) Glasgow, Scotland
Political party	Scottish National Party
Children	2
Alma mater	University of St Andrews
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Politician, social worker

She served asMinister for Equalities and Older People from 2018 to 2023, before being promoted toMinister for Culture, Europe and International Development byHumza Yousaf. In February 2024, she was appointedMinister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, serving in this position until her death.

McKelvie was born on 4 March 1968 inGlasgow.^[1] She grew up inEasterhouse, in the East End of the city, and was educated atSt Leonard's Secondary School.^[2] McKelvie then went on to gain qualifications fromAnniesland College,Cardonald College, and theUniversity of St Andrews.^[1] She worked in the social work services department ofGlasgow City Council as a learning and development officer.^[3] She was an active trade unionist withUnison.^[3]

In2007, McKelvie was selected as the SNP candidate for theHamilton South constituency where she was unsuccessful,^[4] however she was elected through the regional list to represent theCentral Scotland region.^[5] At the2011 Scottish Parliament election, McKelvie contested theHamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat and was elected.^[6] She served as convener of the European and External Relations Committee from 14 June 2011 until 23 March 2016.^[7]

In 2016, she was re-elected to the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency.^[9][10] Within Parliament she became the Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee from 16 June 2016 until 29 September 2016, then Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee from 29 September 2016 until 28 June 2018.^[7]

On 28 June 2018, she becameMinister for Older People and Equalities.^[11] In February 2021, she announced a short medical leave. Her ministerial role was covered byShirley-Anne Somerville who would fill in as minister for equalities and older people.^[12] Following the Cabinet reshuffle in May 2021, she remained in that junior ministerial role, with the title changed to Minister for Equalities and Older People.^[13] A further short period of leave followed in September, after which she gave details that she had completed treatment for breast cancer.^[14] When the breast cancer charityMoonWalk event was held in Edinburgh in June 2022 for the first time in three years, she participated as part of a cross-party team of women.^[15]

In 2023, she was appointed to theYousaf government asMinister for Culture, Europe and International Development.^[16] She visited Malawi and supported theScotland Malawi Partnership takingSDG 5: Gender Equality as a priority.^[8]

On 8 February 2024, as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation ofMichael Matheson as Health Secretary, she was appointedMinister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy.^[17]

On 12 March 2025, she announced she would stand down at thenext Scottish Parliament election.^[18] Her intention was to continue with her treatment.^[19][20]

McKelvie attended ascreening mammogram in December 2020 and was given a diagnosis of 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.^[21]

In June 2024, McKelvie announced she had been diagnosed with stage 2breast cancer. She went on leave from her post as Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy in August 2024.^[22]

McKelvie died from her illness at theGlasgow Royal Infirmary on 27 March 2025.^[23] Her funeral was held on 11 April 2025 at Daldowie Crematorium nearUddingston.^[24]

• Personal website for Christina McKelvie MSP
• Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs:Christina McKelvie