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'I have enjoyed working with the other independents. That's not to say we all agree on everything - we don't. But we all agree on the need for people in the parliament who don't have to
compromise on what they do because of the party line.' Margo MacDonald MSP, 26 th May 2006. |
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1. Margo MacDonald MSP |  |
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| Margo MacDonald was born in 1943 and educated at Hamilton Academy and Dunfermline College where she graduated with a Diploma in Physical Education. She worked as a teacher from 1965 until 1965 before becoming a freelance journalist and broadcaster. From 1978 until 1981 she was the Director of Shelter and from 1981 until 1983 she was a broadcaster with Radio Forth. From 1983 she was Editor of topical programmes and rom 1985 until 1991 a reporter for political and current affairs. In 1973 she became the third ever SNP MSP when she won Glasgow Govan with a 26.7 % swing from Labour, and a 571 majority. The SNP vote decreased by just 1.0 % in February 1974 which allowed Labour to scrape back with a 543 majority, and despite the SNP vote holding at 41.0 % in October 1974, Labour increased their majority due to a collapse in the Tory vote. In May 1978 Margo MacDonald contested the Hamilton by-election against Labour's George Robertson but there was a 5.6 % swing against the SNP and Labour held on. After an absence of 21 years, Margo returned to contest Edinburgh South for the SNP, increasing their vote by 10.6 % and taking them from fourth to second place. She was elected as the first list MSP for the Lothians thanks to her top place on the SNP list. However, Margo proved to be a free spirit in the parliament and when the rankings for the 2003 list were announced, she was relegated to fifth place by party activists, effectively denying her a chance of re-election. Margo announced that she would stand as an Independent candiate and was expelled from the SNP in January 2003. At the 2003 election she won 27,144 votes (10.2 %) on the Lothians list and was elected as the third Lothians regional MSP. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002, but says that her illness is under control and on the 26 th May 2006, one of Scotland's most iconic politicians announced that she would be standing again in 2007. Recent electoral experience As an Independent: 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Independent on Lothians list, 27,144 votes (10.2 %) (elected) As an SNP candidate: 1999 Scottish Parliament election, 1 st on SNP Lothians list, 85,085 votes (25.7 %) (elected) 1999 Scottish Parliament election, Edinburgh South, 9,445 votes (23.5 %) 1978 Westminster Parliament by-election, Hamilton, 12,388 votes (33.4 %) October 1974 Westminster Parliament election, Glasgow Govan, 9,440 votes (41.0 %) February 1974 Westminster Parliament election, Glasgow Govan, 9,783 votes (40.9 %) (defeated) 1973 Westminster Parliament by-election, Glasgow Govan, 6,360 votes (41.9 %) (elected) 1970 Westminster Parliament election, Paisley, 3,432 votes (27.3 %) | ||
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