Winnie Ewing

That this House commemorates the life of Winnie Ewing; celebrates her immense contribution to Scottish Politics, the SNP and the independence movement; highlights that she was a trailblazer for women in politics and inspired many to get politically active; recognises that Winnie first served in this House as MP for Hamilton following her historic by-election win in 1967 which she summed up in the now iconic quote Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on; acknowledges that she further served in this House as MP for Moray and Nairn from 1974 to 1979 before becoming one of the longest-serving MEPs as representative for Highlands and Islands from 1979 to 1999; commends her work as MEP for which she became affectionately known as Madame Écosse while promoting and protecting Scotland’s interests in Europe; understands that Winnie, as the oldest qualified member, presided over the opening of the Scottish Parliament when it was reconvened in 1999 for the first time since 1707; further recognises that Winnie is the only person to have been elected and served in the Westminster, Holyrood and European Parliaments; and sends condolences to Winnie’s family and friends including her children Fergus, Annabelle and Terry.