 | 'She was one of the kindest and friendliest people in politics.' Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen MSP, 21 st March 2006. |  |
| 'She was one of the kindest and friendliest people in politics.' Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen MSP, 21 st March 2006. | |
Tributes flooded in from all sides of the political world last night following the death of Moray SNP MSP Margaret Ewing.
The 60-year-old wife of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing died at her Lossiemouth home just days after addressing the local party's annual meeting and holding constituency surgeries.
The tributes were headed by SNP leader Alex Salmond, who defeated her in a leadership contest in 1990.
He said she had been "an outstanding Member of Parliament in both Westminster and in Scotland and a hugely supportive friend and colleague".
Mr Salmond added: "She will be missed across the political spectrum because Margaret was one of the few politicians without an enemy in the world.
"Her love for her beautiful constituency of Moray was well known and her constituents responded in full measure by electing her five times in succession and, in 2003, by a record majority, despite a debilitating illness."
The politician joined the "Ewing Dynasty" headed by veteran SNP campaigner Winnie Ewing when she married Winnie's son, Fergus, in 1983.
Mrs Ewing was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly four years ago following a routine examination at a screening unit near her home and had a growth removed in an operation at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
The surgery was thought to have gone well.
She said afterwards: "I am going through something thousands of women have to face every year, but the dedication and sensitivity of the staff has made this ordeal easier to bear."
Mrs Ewing added on another occasion: "This is a private matter and a private battle that I must fight, quite unlike the many political battles I have fought in the past.
"I fully intend, however, to soon be back battling on behalf of my constituents in Moray and for Scottish independence."
She served her constituents almost to the end, meeting those with problems she hoped to help at constituency surgeries at the weekend.
She had already announced her decision to retire at the next Scottish elections in 2007 and North East MSP Richard Lochhead had been adopted as prospective candidate. He said: "There was no greater champion for Scottish independence and her constituents. I personally will miss Margaret's advice and company."
He may now have to resign if he wishes to stand in the coming by-election because of a rule barring sitting MSPs from standing.
Among the tributes last night, First Minister Jack McConnell said Mrs Ewing had made "a significant contribution" for over 30 years, adding: "Margaret was popular with members from all parties in the parliament and we will all miss her."
Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, said: "I am shocked and saddened. She was an easy politician to work with without ever compromising her fundamental principles."
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie spoke of her "very real sense of loss" at the death of "an able parliamentarian".
SNP Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon said Mrs Ewing was "a nationalist to her core", describing her as "an inspiration to all who knew her, not least in the brave way she fought illness in recent times".
Scottish Lib Dem leader and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said: "She was one of the kindest and friendliest people in politics.
"Margaret was a powerful campaigner for her constituents and will be sadly missed."
Condolences also came from Scottish Socialist Party leader Colin Fox, who said: "Margaret was a respected MSP who fought on despite her illness.
"Her untimely and tragic death represents a loss not only to those who knew her personally but to Scottish politics as a whole."
Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who is patron of the Scottish Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "I think everyone who knew Margaret will be deeply saddened by this news.
"I will remember her as a young woman in politics who was great fun and the life and soul of the party."
The presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament also joined in the tributes.
George Reid said: "The entire parliament is saddened and shocked by Margaret's death."
Mr Reid, who as a SNP MP in the 1970s shared an office in the Commons with Mrs Ewing, said: "Margaret was a lovely person, well-respected in all parties by members at Holyrood and Westminster.
"Her commitment to Scotland over 32 years of public service was as outstanding as it was unstinting."
This afternoon, Mr Reid will chair a sitting in the Scottish Parliament when MSPs will pay tribute to Mrs Ewing.
A spokeswoman said: "MSPs from across the parties will speak in support of the motion that 'the parliament expresses its deep regret and sadness at the death of Margaret Ewing MSP, offers its sympathies and condolences to her family and friends and recognises her widely appreciated contribution to Scottish politics and public life'."
A less-strident nationalist than many of her colleagues and politically to the left, her campaigns included the doomed bid to prevent the merger of the Queen's Own Highlanders with the Gordon Highlanders to form The Highlanders - who are now being merged into the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
She opposed nuclear weapons, over-taxing Scotch whisky, abortion on demand and hanging.
She launched a Hands Off Our Haggis campaign but strongly supported Scotland in Europe - and, with a mother suffering from senility, she campaigned tirelessly for the elderly.
In parliament she belonged to all-party groups concerned with issues ranging from epilepsy to Malawi and violence against women.
Locally, she backed the RAF and fought for maternity services in Elgin.
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