The area’s SNP group said widely-respected MSP Ms McKelvie’s “record of public service is one to be proud of”

Colleagues of Christina McKelvie from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the widely-respected MSP for her work as a constituency member and for local causes, as well as her wider contribution to Scottish politics.

The SNP group on South Lanarkshire Council say they are “devastated” by the loss of “our much-loved colleague”, who had been an MSP for nearly 18 years and had represented the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse constituency since 2011.

Group leader John Ross called her “a hard-working and fierce advocate for social justice and fairness in society” and party colleagues said: “Her record of public service is one to be proud of” as councillors from across the chamber paid their respects and flags at the local authority’s Hamilton headquarters were lowered to half-mast.

Hamilton South representative Councillor Ross told Lanarkshire Live: “I, like many others, was devastated to hear the news of Christina’s passing.

“In losing Christina we have lost not just a hard-working and fierce advocate for social justice and fairness in society, but a kind and generous friend who inspired all of us. Nothing was too much for Christina and she will be so missed. I will personally miss the big hugs we shared whenever we met.”

A statement from the council group added that: “The entire SNP group in South Lanarkshire are devastated to learn of the passing of our much-loved colleague. Christina was an amazing, kind and supportive friend to us all, and was an outstanding regional and constituency MSP.

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“The care, love and determination that she showed for her constituents throughout her time in politics was extraordinary. She will be very much missed by those in communities across South Lanarkshire who she never stopped fighting for – her record of public service is one to be proud of.

“Our thoughts go out to [partner] Keith, [sons] Lewis and Jack, her friends and family, and all those who had the immense pleasure of knowing her.”

The constituency Labour party in her Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse seat told how they were “saddened” by Ms McKelvie’s passing, saying: “Christina was a dedicated representative for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and her commitment to public service was evident to all who knew her. Many in our local Labour Party had the opportunity to engage with Christina over the years, and we always found her to be a passionate advocate for her constituents.”

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Blantyre Labour councillor Mo Razzaq extended his “sincerest condolences”, recalling: “I was invited to iftari in Hamilton Mosque along with Christina, who was her usual bubbly, positive self. As a Labour councillor, I found Christina very helpful and responsive to any queries that were sent to her.”

Mark McGeever of the Liberal Democrats recalled Ms McKelvie’s “absolute kindness” and recounted how she had teamed up with him while he was “a relatively new ward councillor in opposition at the council” to campaign for restoration of a bus service in Hillhouse and Earnock.

The Hamilton councillor posted: “She supported every point I made about the importance of the X1 and then made even stronger ones herself. That was a cause she never gave up on and she could be very proud of the role she played in getting the community’s bus back on the road, just one of many achievements in her career representing people.”

Glasgow City Council leader and SNP colleague Susan Aitken said on X: “Christina McKelvie lit up every room she walked into. She was a warrior with a heart the size of Scotland and the best boss I ever had. Sharing her friendship was one of the great privileges of my life.”

Further tributes were paid by a huge range of national organisations, reflecting Ms McKelvie’s political work and various roles as a Scottish Government minister – including the Scottish Women’s Convention, Disability Equality Scotland, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

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