Nicola Sturgeon ‘heartbroken’ as her SNP political heroine Winne Ewing – often called Mrs Scotland – dies at 92

  • The previous SNP president was often called Madam Ecosse – Mrs Scotland
  • She handed away yesterday, surrounded by her household, they stated in assertion

A ‘heartbroken’ Nicola Sturgeon led tributes to her political heroine Winnie Ewing at this time, after the SNP’s first feminine parliamentarian died aged 92.

The previous social gathering president, who grew to become often called Madam Ecosse – Mrs Scotland –  handed away yesterday, surrounded by her household.

She is maybe finest recognized for marking her shock victory within the Hamilton by-election in 1967 with the declaration: ‘Cease the world, Scotland needs to get on.’ 

5 years in the past Ms Sturgeon described her as her inspiration for stepping into politics, saying her mentor helped her with public talking and suggested her to ‘stand your floor and consider in your self’.

After the announcement at this time the previous first minister stated: ‘I can not start to convey the depth of gratitude I really feel for the recommendation, knowledge, encouragement and inspiration Winnie gave me and so many others over time. She was a grasp of the artwork of campaigning and it was a privilege to be taught from her.

‘Immediately, Scotland has misplaced certainly one of her foremost patriots and champions, the SNP and the independence motion have misplaced a beloved icon and Fergus, Annabelle Ewing and Terry Ewing have misplaced their mum.

‘My condolences to them and the broader household. Thanks Madame Ecosse.’

The former party president (left), who became known as Madam Ecosse - Mrs Scotland - passed away yesterday, surrounded by her family.

The previous social gathering president (left), who grew to become often called Madam Ecosse – Mrs Scotland – handed away yesterday, surrounded by her household.

She is perhaps best known for marking her shock victory in the Hamilton by-election in 1967 with the declaration: 'Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on.'

She is maybe finest recognized for marking her shock victory within the Hamilton by-election in 1967 with the declaration: ‘Cease the world, Scotland needs to get on.’

Mrs Ewing was born in Glasgow in 1929 and gained a legislation diploma from Glasgow College earlier than being elected to the UK Parliament.

Regardless of shedding the Hamilton seat on the subsequent election in 1970, she was re-elected to Westminster in 1974 for Moray and Nairn, and retained her seat within the second election in October of the identical 12 months.

She additionally served within the European Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands after shedding her Westminster seat within the 1979.

She resigned as an MEP in 1999 to face as a candidate for the brand new Scottish Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands till 2003.

Mrs Ewing was president of the SNP till 2005 when she stood down from elected workplace, nonetheless she remained an ardent supporter of the independence trigger.

Flags at Holyrood had been lowered as a ‘mark of respect’ following her loss of life. 

First Minister Humza Yousaf paid tribute to a ‘pioneer and a patriot’, saying: ‘With out Winnie – with out her breakthrough by-election victory in Hamilton in 1967, her dedication to the reason for Scottish independence, and her promotion of Scotland’s pursuits in Europe over a few years – the SNP would by no means have achieved the success we now have, and self-government for Scotland would by no means have turn into the precedence it did.’