Scottish Politician
Elena Whitham (née McLeod , born 9 July 1974) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).
She was elected in 2021 to represent Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley .[1] [3]
Since March 2023 she has held the junior post of Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy . Previously, she was Minister for Community Safety in November 2022 under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon , following the resignation of Ash Regan .[4]
As a child her family emigrated to Quebec , Whitham returned to Scotland in the 1990s, working for Scottish Women's Aid before becoming a councillor for Irvine Valley in East Ayrshire Council , and then Depute Leader of the council.
Early life
Born on 9 July 1974 in Kilmarnock , her family emigrated to Quebec , Canada when she was six because her father could not find work in Scotland.[5] Whitham's family were miners in Muirkirk and agricultural workers at many local farms from Sorn to Coylton .
1990-1992, Whitham studied at the Champlain College Saint-Lambert in Saint Lambert, Quebec . In 1993 she studied at Concordia University for a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications. In the 1995 Quebec independence referendum , she campaigned in-favour of Quebec sovereignty .[6]
After graduating, she returned to Scotland and freelanced in local media, then worked in community support roles in Ayrshire including over ten years as a Scottish Women's Aid worker assisting victims of domestic abuse .[7]
Political career
Local government
On 1 October 2015 she was elected to East Ayrshire Council in a by-election for the Irvine Valley ward.[8] She became Depute Leader of the council, and was also national housing and homelessness lead for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities .[9] [10]
Member of the Scottish Parliament
In October 2020 she was confirmed as a candidate for Scottish Parliament.[11] On 8 May 2021 she was elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley .[12] [3]
Her majority of 4,337 votes (12.2%) was lower than that achieved in 2016 by her predecessor Jeane Freeman .[13]
In November 2022, it was announced that Whitham would succeed Ash Regan as Minister for Community Safety , subject to parliamentary approval.[4]
Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy
On 29 March 2023, Humza Yousaf appointed Whitham as the retitled Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy reporting directly to the First Minister.[14] She resigned the post on 6 February 2024 due to her suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder . [15]
Personal life
Whitham is the mother of two children.[1]
References
^ a b c d Hilley, Sarah (1 September 2020). "Senior Councillor hoping to take Cumnock seat at next election" . Cumnock Chronicle . Ardrossan . Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021 .
^ Statutory registers - Births - Search results , ScotlandsPeople
^ a b "Scottish Parliament election results – Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Constituency 2021" . East Ayrshire Council . 6 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^ a b "New Minister announced" . www.gov.scot . Retrieved 2 November 2022 .
^ Whitham, Elena (7 November 2020). "Elena Whitham: From age 6 I knew something was wrong with UK politics" . The National . Glasgow. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021 .
^ StreetCumnock, 46-48 Glaisnock; KA18 1BYScotl (10 May 2021). "Elena Whitham" . Scottish National Party . Retrieved 25 March 2022 . {{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link )
^ "Elena Whitham" . LinkedIn .
^ East Ayrshire By Election 2015 | Election Results | Ward 6 Irvine Valley | 01/10/2015 , East Ayrshire Council
^ Boothman, John (9 May 2021). "Ones to watch in the Holyrood class of 2021" . The Sunday Times . London. Retrieved 16 May 2021 .
^ "Search Results Page" . www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk . Retrieved 25 March 2022 .
^ Pengilly, Calam (21 October 2020). "Whitham confirmed as local SNP candidate for 2021 Holyrood elections" . www.cumnockchronicle.com . Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021 .
^ "Scotland Election 2021 | Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley" . BBC News . Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021 .
^ Paterson, Colin (8 May 2021). "SNP complete Ayrshire clean sweep as Elena Whitham takes Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley seat" . Daily Record . Glasgow. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021 .
^ "Full ministerial team confirmed" . www.gov.scot . Retrieved 30 March 2023 .
^ "Drugs minister Elena Whitham quits due to post-traumatic stress" . BBC News . 6 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024 .
External links
Constituency MSPs
Siobhian Brown (SNP, Ayr )
Elena Whitham (SNP, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley )
Màiri McAllan (SNP, Clydesdale )
Oliver Mundell (Con, Dumfriesshire )
Paul McLennan (SNP, East Lothian )
Rachael Hamilton (Con, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire )
Finlay Carson (Con, Galloway and West Dumfries )
Willie Coffey (SNP, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley )
Christine Grahame (SNP, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale )
Additional members