Winnie Ewing remembered as ‘shining light of SNP’ following demise aged 93
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cotland’s First Minister has paid tribute to the “unique and unparalleled contribution” of Winnie Ewing after the demise of the trailblazing SNP politician.
Known famously as Madame Ecosse, 93-year-old former MP, MEP and MSP Winifred Margaret Ewing died on Wednesday.
Flags on the Scottish Parliament, the place two of her three kids – Fergus and Annabelle – are MSPs, had been lowered in tribute to her on Thursday.
Described as a “beloved icon” of the Scottish independence motion, Mrs Ewing was maybe finest recognized for declaring “Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on” after her shock victory on the Hamilton by-election in 1967.
That victory noticed her develop into Scotland’s first ever feminine parliamentarian.
First Minister and SNP chief Humza Yousaf stated he was “heartbroken that we have lost a shining light of our party”, as he despatched his condolences to her household “particularly her three children, Fergus, Annabelle and Terry”.
Mr Yousaf stated: “No words can truly capture the unique and unparalleled contribution that Winnie made to Scotland and Scottish politics.
“Her work over many decades – including in the UK, European and Scottish parliaments – shaped the modern nation we have today.
“Without Winnie – without her breakthrough by-election victory in Hamilton in 1967, her dedication to the cause of Scottish independence, and her promotion of Scotland’s interests in Europe over many years – the SNP would never have achieved the success we have, and self-government for Scotland would never have become the priority it did.”
He described her as being a “pioneer and a patriot”, saying her demise can be mourned throughout Scotland.
In an announcement saying her demise, her household described Mrs Ewing as being “generally considered the most important Scottish politician of her generation”.
She was the primary presiding officer of the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999, and the household stated she had “sparked the revival of the SNP’s fortunes, which continue to this day, with her victory in the Hamilton by-election of 1967”.
She was surrounded by her household when she died, the assertion added.
Along together with her three kids, she is survived by grandchildren Natasha, Ciara, Jamie and Sophie.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon stated she was “heartbroken” on the demise of the “beloved icon”.
She wrote on Twitter: “I can’t begin to convey the depth of gratitude I feel for the advice, wisdom, encouragement and inspiration Winnie gave me and so many others over the years.
“Today Scotland has lost one of her foremost patriots and champions, (the SNP) and the independence movement have lost a beloved icon.”
Ms Sturgeon’s predecessor Alex Salmond additionally paid tribute to “a courageous and loyal colleague”.
The Alba Party chief stated: “Many politicians adapt to the climate. Few make the political weather. Winnie Ewing was one of those.”
He praised her “extraordinary ability”, and added: “Above all she was a Scottish patriot, indomitable in her approach and a courageous and loyal colleague.”
Former Scottish deputy first minister John Swinney informed how Mrs Ewing had “inspired generations who sought independence and gave everything she could to make it happen”.
He tweeted: “I will never, ever forget her encouragement and her steadfast support.”
Sir George Reid, the final remaining member of the group of seven SNP MPs elected in February 1974 and of the 11 elected in October 1974, stated: “Winnie was a bonnie fechter, utterly committed to the cause of an independent Scotland in Europe.
“When the SNP was down, she stood up – not least in June 1979 when, after the decimation of the party at Westminster in May, she immediately contested and won a seat in the European Parliament. That year she was a light in the darkness.
“Politics for Winnie was not a career. It was a vocation.”
Mrs Ewing was born in Glasgow in 1929 and gained a legislation diploma from Glasgow University, earlier than being elected to the UK Parliament.
Despite shedding the Hamilton seat on the subsequent election in 1970, she was re-elected to Westminster in 1974 for Moray and Nairn, and retained her seat within the second election in October of the identical 12 months.
She additionally served within the European Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands after shedding her Westminster seat within the 1979.
She resigned as an MEP in 1999 to face as a candidate for the brand new Scottish Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands till 2003.
Mrs Ewing was president of the SNP till 2005 when she stood down from elected workplace, nonetheless she remained an ardent supporter of the independence trigger.