Tricia Marwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tricia Marwick
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Official portrait, 2011
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| Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 11 May 2011 – 12 May 2016 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II | ||||||||||||||||
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Alex Fergusson | ||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Ken Macintosh | ||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Patricia Lee
5 November 1953 Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland |
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| Political party | Independent (2011–present) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations |
Scottish National Party (1986–2011) | ||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Frank Marwick
(m. 1975) |
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| Relations | Natalie McGarry (niece) | ||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Charity Public Affairs Officer | ||||||||||||||||
Patricia Marwick (born 5 November 1953), also known as Tricia Marwick, is a Scottish politician. She was the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament from 2011 to 2016. This role is like being the speaker or chairperson of the parliament.
Before that, she was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from 1999 to 2016. She was first elected as a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP). When she became Presiding Officer, she stopped being part of the SNP. This is because the Presiding Officer needs to be neutral and not take sides.
Tricia Marwick was born in Cowdenbeath and grew up in Fife. She worked for a charity called Shelter Scotland before becoming a politician.
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Early Life and Work
Patricia Lee was born on 5 November 1953 in Cowdenbeath. She was one of seven children and grew up in Fife. Before she entered politics, she worked for Shelter Scotland. This charity helps people who are homeless. She worked there from 1992 to 1999.
Becoming an MSP
In 1999, Tricia Marwick ran in the first ever Scottish Parliament election. She was a candidate for the Scottish National Party (SNP). She tried to win the Central Fife area, but she came in second place.
Even though she didn't win that specific area, she was still elected. She became an additional member for the Mid Scotland and Fife region. This means she got into parliament through a different system.
Her Roles in Parliament
From 1999 to 2007, Tricia Marwick held several important jobs within the SNP. She helped manage the party's business in parliament. She also worked on committees dealing with local government, housing, and equal opportunities.
In the 2003 election, she tried again to win the Central Fife seat. She didn't win, but she was re-elected as an additional member for Mid Scotland and Fife.
In the 2007 election, she finally won the Central Fife seat. She beat the person who was already in that job, Christine May, from the Labour Party.
After the 2007 election, she joined the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. This group helps manage how the parliament works.
Leading the Scottish Parliament
In the 2011 election, Tricia Marwick was elected for a new area called Mid Fife and Glenrothes. This area was similar to her old Central Fife seat.
On 11 May 2011, she was chosen to be the 4th Presiding Officer. She won the support of most of the members of parliament. This was a big moment because she was the first woman to hold this important position.
As the Presiding Officer, she had to be neutral. This meant she could no longer be an active member of the Scottish National Party. She had to give up her party membership. In 2012, she was given the title of Rt Hon..
On 29 May 2015, Tricia Marwick announced that she would step down. She left the Scottish Parliament after the 2016 election. She decided to leave elected politics completely.
After Leaving Parliament
After leaving parliament, Tricia Marwick continued to serve the public. In November 2016, she was chosen to be the new chairperson for the NHS Fife board. NHS Fife is the local health service in the Fife area. She started this role on 1 January 2017 and finished on 31 December 2020.
Personal Life
Tricia Marwick is related to another politician, Natalie McGarry. Natalie McGarry is her niece and was a Member of Parliament for Glasgow East.
