Jenny Gilruth

Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth (born 1984), commonly known as Jenny Gilruth, is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the constituency of Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016.[1] Since February 2020, she has served as Minister for Europe and International Development in the Scottish Government.

Jenny Gilruth

MSP
Gilruth in 2016
Minister for Europe and International Development
Assumed office
17 February 2020
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Preceded byBen Macpherson
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Mid Fife and Glenrothes
Assumed office
6 May 2016
Preceded byTricia Marwick
Majority8,276
Personal details
Born
Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth

1984 (age 35–36)
Aberdeen, Scotland
Political partyScottish National Party
Domestic partnerKezia Dugdale (2017–present)
Alma materUniversity of Glasgow
University of Strathclyde
Websitewww.jennygilruthmsp.scot

Early life and career

Gilruth was first raised in Banff, Aberdeenshire, before her family moved to Ceres, Fife. Her father was born and raised in Newport-on-Tay.[2] She was educated at Madras College, St Andrews[3] and lives in Markinch. She graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in sociology and politics, and obtained her Professional Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Strathclyde.[3]

Before becoming an MSP, Gilruth was a Principal Teacher of Social Subjects at a Fife Secondary School, she was previously a National Qualifications Development Officer at Education Scotland, and prior to that taught Modern Studies at the Royal High School, in Edinburgh.[4] Gilruth also marked exams for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is a published author.[5]

Political career

In April 2016, Gilruth was nominated as the SNP’s candidate for Mid Fife and Glenrothes in the Scottish Parliament election on 5 May 2016.[6] She won the seat with 15,555 votes, an unprecedented 54.9% of the vote, with a majority of 8,236; more than double the votes cast for second-place candidate Kay Morrison of Scottish Labour.[7] She succeeded Tricia Marwick, who had been the Presiding Officer in the 4th Scottish Parliament (2011–16).[8]

In February 2020, Gilruth joined the Scottish Government as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development as part of the reshuffle following the resignation of Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay.[9]

Personal life

On 15 July 2017, it was announced Gilruth was in a relationship with Kezia Dugdale, who was, at that time, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party.[10]

References
  1. "Mid Fife and Glenrothes". BBC News. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017.
  2. Gilruth, Jenny (27 November 2017). "Jenny Gilruth: Kezia Dugdale has the strength to cope with jungle fever". The Courier. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  3. Alexander, Michael (29 April 2016). "Scottish Election 2016: 'Tricia Marwick has been such an inspiration', says SNP candidate". The Courier. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  4. "Royal High students to host panel event in BBC competition". The Scotsman. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  5. https://www.amazon.co.uk/National-Modern-Studies-Course-Notes/dp/0007504950
  6. Stark, Jim (5 April 2016). "SNP choose candidate for Mid Fife seat". Central Fife Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  7. "Mid Fife and Glenrothes". BBC News. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  8. "Scottish Election 2016: 'Tricia Marwick has been such an inspiration', says SNP candidate". thecourier.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  9. "Cabinet Appointments - gov.scot". 17 February 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  10. "Kezia Dugdale in relationship with SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth". BBC News. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
Parliament of Scotland
Preceded by
Tricia Marwick		 Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Mid Fife and Glenrothes
2016–present		 Incumbent
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.