Margaret Ewing,
1 st September 1945 - 21 st March 2006

'She was inspirational, and I know how happy she was when she was elected as MSP for Moray in 1999. My thoughts are with the Ewing family today.' Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones, 21 st March 2006.

SNP stalwart Margaret Ewing dies

From Epolitix 21 st March 2006

Scottish Nationalist Party MSP Margaret Ewing has died of breast cancer at the age of 60.

Having represented the Moray area at Westminster and Holyrood for almost 20 years, Ewing announced last year that she would stand down in 2007.

In 2002 she underwent treatment for breast cancer but returned to Holyrood later that year.

Having trained as a teacher she joined the SNP in 1966 and entered parliament as MP for East Dunbartonshire, winning with a majority of just 22 in 1974.

She lost the seat five years later and, after failing to get into parliament in 1983 in Strathkelvin and Bearsden, she won the Moray seat from the Tories in 1987.

Ewing became the SNP's parliamentary leader at Westminster and ran for the party leadership three years later but was defeated by Alex Salmond.

In 1999 she became MSP for Moray and stood down from her Westminster seat in 2001 to concentrate on Holyrood.

An SNP spokesman said: "She had been suffering ill-health for some time."

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie told the BBC: "There is a very real sense of loss at the death of Margaret Ewing.

"She was an able parliamentarian and a doughty advocate for the constituents whose interests she represented robustly and eloquently. Our thoughts are with Fergus and the family".

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Margaret Ewing was a bonny fighter both at Westminster and at Holyrood, where she represented her constituents with diligence and commitment.

"Her devotion for her own party was boundless and she was much loved and respected on all sides.

"Her courage and dignity in illness was immense. She will be sorely missed."

And Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said she was "a good friend and colleague".

"She was inspirational, and I know how happy she was when she was elected as MSP for Moray in 1999. My thoughts are with the Ewing family today," he added.