Natalie Don Explained

Natalie Don
Honorific-Suffix:MSP
Office:Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise
Term Start:29 March 2023
Predecessor:Clare Haughey
Birth Date:12 February 1989
Birth Place:Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Residence:Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Nationality:Scottish
Party:Scottish National Party
Website:https://nataliedon.scot
Office2:Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Renfrewshire North and West
Predecessor2:Derek Mackay
Majority2:7,307 (19.1%)
Firstminister:Humza Yousaf
John Swinney
Termstart2:7 May 2021

Natalie Don (born 12 February 1989) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Renfrewshire North and West since 2021.[1] [2]

She has been serving as the Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise since 2023.[3]

Early life

Don is from Renfrewshire and was raised in a council house by a single mother, following the death of her father when she was young.[4]

She holds a university degree in history from the University of Glasgow.

Political career

Don continued to serve as a local councillor for the Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank ward after having been elected in the 2017 Renfrewshire Council election.[5] She stood down after the 2022 local council elections in Scotland.

She was selected as the SNP's candidate for the Renfrewshire North and West constituency in November 2020 for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, following a tight second vote by party members after the first vote had resulted in a tie with fellow Renfrewshire councillor Michelle Campbell.[6] [7] Don was subsequently elected as MSP for the constituency with a 46.3% vote share and majority of 7,307 (19.1%) votes.[8]

In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise.[9]

Personal life

Don lives in the Renfrewshire village of Bridge of Weir and gave birth to a daughter in 2020.[4] She is a fan of video games.[10] [11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Renfrewshire North & West - Scottish Parliament constituency . en-GB . BBC News . 2024-01-03.
  2. Web site: Don, Natalie, (born 12 Feb. 1989), Member (SNP) Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish Parliament, since 2021; Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, since 2023 . 2024-01-03 . WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO . en . 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u295968.
  3. Web site: Full ministerial team confirmed . 2023-04-01 . www.gov.scot . en.
  4. https://www.thenational.scot/news/18643878.derek-mackay-staffer-natalie-don-bids-holyrood-seat/ Derek Mackay staffer Natalie Don bids for his Holyrood seat
  5. https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/4885/Ward-11--Bishopton-Bridge-of-Weir-and-Langbank Ward 11- Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank
  6. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/paisley-daily-express/snp-candidacy-battle-scottish-election-22985735 SNP candidacy battle for Scottish election goes on as initial ballot results in historic tie
  7. https://todaynewspost.com/news/world/uk-news/michelle-campbell-defeated-by-natalie-don-in-key-snp-holyrood-selection-contest/ Michelle Campbell defeated by Natalie Don in key SNP Holyrood selection contest
  8. https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/11498/2021---Scottish-Parliamentary-Election---Results 2021 - Scottish Parliamentary Election - Results
  9. Web site: Paton . Craig . 2023-03-29 . Yousaf says SNP is ‘united’ as he appoints supporters to his first Cabinet . 2023-03-30 . Evening Standard . en.
  10. Web site: Gaming MSP candidate hopes to promote positives of plugging in a console. Brawn. Stephanie. 15 January 2021. Daily Record.
  11. Web site: The MSP on a mission to better support Scotland's thriving games sector. Brawn. Steph. 19 December 2022. The National. subscription.