Marie McNair explained

Marie McNair
Honorific-Suffix:MSP
Constituency Mp:Clydebank and Milngavie
Parliament:Scottish
Term Start:7 May 2021
Predecessor:Gil Paterson
Party:Scottish National Party (since 2016)
Otherparty:Labour (until 2008)
Independent (2008–2016)

Marie McNair (born 1975/76) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Clydebank and Milngavie since May 2021.[1]

Early career

Before entering politics, McNair spent 14 years working as a nurse at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank.[2]

Political career

Initially a member of the Labour Party, McNair was elected as a councillor for the Clydebank Waterfront ward at the 2003 Scottish local elections.[2] She was re-elected in 2007, but quit the party in November 2008 to stand as an independent. In her resignation letter, she said: "There is a ruling clique that ignores views expressed that they don't agree with and their style of leadership has intimidation at its core. These are all issues that have been raised within the party at all levels to no avail. I feel strongly that I can better express and stand up for the views of my constituents when free from the restraints of the Labour Group's ruling clique."[3]

After being re-elected as an independent candidate in 2012 and voting Yes in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum,[4] McNair defected to the SNP in January 2016[5] and was elected in Clydebank Waterfront for a fifth time in 2017.

In October 2020, she was part of an all-woman shortlist to replace the retiring Gil Paterson as MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie,[6] and was chosen as the candidate the following month.[7] At the election, she was elected with a slightly reduced majority.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Constituencies A-Z: Clydebank and Milngavie. BBC News. 7 May 2021.
  2. News: 'I'm with this fight from start to finish': Former nurse Cllr Marie McNair vows to back Hospice. Stewart-Robertson. Tristan. 27 February 2017. Clydebank Post. 15 December 2022.
  3. News: Dailyrecord.co.uk . 7 November 2008 . Marie McNair quits after feeling 'intimidation' from colleagues . 15 December 2022 . Daily Record . en.
  4. News: Disillusionment with Labour led to new SNP candidate switching sides in 2014. Duffy. Judith. 4 April 2021. The National. 15 December 2022. subscription.
  5. News: Council leader slams former independent Marie McNair as 'opportunist' as she joins SNP. Ferguson. Alan. 13 January 2016. Clydebank Post. 15 December 2022.
  6. News: Whitecrook councillor is latest to bid for Clydebank MSP seat. Stewart-Robertson. Tristan. 12 October 2020. Clydebank Post.
  7. News: Councillor Marie McNair named SNP candidate in Clydebank and Milngavie. Borland. Craig. 7 November 2020. Clydebank Post.
  8. News: Weir . Lorraine . 7 May 2021 . First West Dunbartonshire declaration in - SNP hold . 15 December 2022 . Daily Record . en.