Jenny Gilruth
Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth (born 1984) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016.[1] She has served in the Scottish Government as Minister for Transport since January 2022, having previously been a junior Minister for Europe and International Development from 2020 to 2022.
Jenny Gilruth | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021 | |
| Minister for Transport | |
| Assumed office 24 January 2022 | |
| First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon |
| Preceded by | Graeme Dey |
| Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development | |
| In office 17 February 2020 – 24 January 2022 | |
| First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon |
| Preceded by | Ben Macpherson |
| Succeeded by | Neil Gray |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Fife and Glenrothes | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Tricia Marwick |
| Majority | 10,234 (31.3%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth 1984 (age 38–39) Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
| Spouse | Kezia Dugdale (m. 2022) |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow University of Strathclyde |
| Website | www |
Early life and career
Gilruth was first raised in Banff, Aberdeenshire, before her family moved to Ceres, Fife.[2] Her father was born and raised in Newport-on-Tay.[3] She was educated at Madras College (St Andrews, Fife)[4] 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.[4][2]
Before becoming an MSP, Gilruth was a Principal Teacher of Social Subjects at St. Columba's Roman Catholic High School, Dunfermline, 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.[5] Gilruth also marked exams for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is a published author.[6]
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.[7] She won the seat with 15,555 votes (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.[8] She succeeded Tricia Marwick, who had been the Presiding Officer in the 4th Scottish Parliament (2011–16).[9]
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.[10]
Minister for Transport
In a ministerial reshuffle on 24 January 2022, Gilruth was appointed as Minister for Transport, following the resignation of Graeme Dey.[11][12] She said: "The transport portfolio is an exciting opportunity to not just shape the infrastructure of our country but to also help Scotland become a world leader in achieving our goal to become net zero by 2045."[11][12] Since becoming Transport Minister, she has been involved in managing issues related to ScotRail train services and a dispute with ASLEF, as well as responsibilities relating to the provision of Scottish ferries.[2][13] In June 2022, she responded to questions in the Scottish Parliament about her accountability and responsibility in resolving the ScotRail/ASLEF pay dispute.[2][13]
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.[14] In June 2022, Gilruth and Dugdale married in a private ceremony.[15]
References
- ^ "Mid Fife and Glenrothes". BBC News. 6 May 2016. from the original on 16 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Who is Jenny Gilruth? Meet Scotland's Transport Minister dealing with a ScotRail crisis". The Courier. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Gilruth, Jenny (27 November 2017). "Jenny Gilruth: Kezia Dugdale has the strength to cope with jungle fever". The Courier. Dundee. from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ^ a b Alexander, Michael (29 April 2016). "Scottish Election 2016: 'Tricia Marwick has been such an inspiration', says SNP candidate". The Courier. Dundee. from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Royal High students to host panel event in BBC competition". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 23 March 2010. from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
- ^ Gilruth, Jenny (5 May 2014). National 4/5 Modern Studies Course Notes (Course Notes for SQA Exams) Paperback. ASIN 0007504950.
- ^ Stark, Jim (5 April 2016). "SNP choose candidate for Mid Fife seat". Central Fife Times. from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ "Mid Fife and Glenrothes". BBC News. from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Scottish Election 2016: 'Tricia Marwick has been such an inspiration', says SNP candidate". The Courier. Dundee. from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ . Scottish Government. 17 February 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Ministerial changes". Scottish Government. 24 January 2022. from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ a b Bryan, Anna (24 January 2022). "Nicola Sturgeon announces new Transport Minister for Scotland as Jenny Gilruth". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ a b "ScotRail agrees 5% pay deal with train drivers' union". BBC News. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Kezia Dugdale in relationship with SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth". BBC News. 15 July 2017. from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
- ^ Cameron, Lucinda (13 June 2022). "SNP transport minister Jenny Gilruth and former Scottish Labour Kezia Dugdale leader marry". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
External links
- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Jenny Gilruth
- profile on SNP website
- personal website