Margo MacDonald

Margo MacDonald – Life, Career, and Memorable Moments

A full biography of Margo MacDonald (1943–2014), Scottish politician, broadcaster, teacher, and activist — from her breakthrough in the SNP to her independent stance, her campaigns for assisted dying, and her lasting legacy.

Introduction: Who Was Margo MacDonald?

Margo Symington MacDonald (née Aitken), born 19 April 1943 and died 4 April 2014, was a formidable figure in Scottish politics. She was first elected to Westminster as an SNP MP in 1973, served as Depute Leader of the SNP, later became a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Lothian (from 1999 to 2014) — initially with the SNP and later as an independent.

MacDonald was known not just for her political roles but for her boldness, her willingness to take controversial positions, and her advocacy on issues such as assisted dying and the rights of marginalized groups.

Early Life and Family

Margo Symington Aitken was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Jean (a nurse) and Robert Aitken. She had two siblings and grew up in and around East Kilbride.

Her early family life was not without difficulty. Her parents separated when she was about 12, and descriptions of her childhood include references to a stern or difficult father.

She attended Hamilton Academy for her schooling, and thereafter trained as a physical education teacher at Dunfermline College of Physical Education.

Youth, Education, and Pre-Political Career

After completing her teacher training, Margo worked in education for a period.

In 1965 she married Peter MacDonald, and together they ran a pub in Blantyre (the Barnhill Tavern), while raising two daughters, Petra and Zoe. That marriage later ended in divorce.

In 1981 she married Jim Sillars, also a political figure.

During her years outside frontline politics (especially after leaving the SNP in the early 1980s), she became active in broadcasting, journalism, and public advocacy.

Political Career and Achievements

Break into National Politics (1973–1974)

Margo MacDonald entered Westminster politics by winning the Glasgow Govan by-election in November 1973 for the Scottish National Party.

Her term as MP was brief: in the February 1974 general election, she lost the seat.

In 1974 she became Depute Leader of the SNP, a post she held until 1979.

Internal SNP Struggles & Departure

Within the SNP, MacDonald was part of the “79 Group”, a faction advocating a more left-wing, socially radical orientation for the party.

Her views and activism sometimes brought her into conflict with SNP leadership. In 1982, when the SNP proscribed (banned) internal factions including the 79 Group, MacDonald resigned from the party in protest.

After leaving, she pursued media work, presenting on radio, writing for newspapers, and maintaining a public presence.

Return via the Scottish Parliament (1999 onward)

With the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, MacDonald reentered political life. She was elected as an MSP for Lothian under the SNP banner.

Even then, her independent streak remained. She was disciplined in 2000 for missing votes and for publicly criticizing party policy.

Ahead of the 2003 election, MacDonald was placed low (5th) on the SNP list for Lothian, which effectively would block her re-election under the party label. In response, she left the SNP again—this time by standing as an independent candidate.

She was re-elected as an independent in 2003, and again in 2007 and 2011.

During her time as an independent MSP, she championed controversial and socially progressive causes, often ahead of her time.

Her tenure ended only with her death in 2014; because of the rules for independent MSPs, her seat remained vacant until the next election.

Key Issues, Campaigns, and Impact

Scottish Nationalism & Independence

From the start, MacDonald was a committed Scottish nationalist, believing deeply in the cause of independence. Her tenure in the SNP and subsequent independent stance both reflected her insistence on principle over party conformity.

She was vocal about the influence of security services (MI5, etc.) and questioned interference in Scottish political affairs (e.g. prior to the 2014 referendum).

Social Causes and Controversial Issues

Over her career, MacDonald took on causes many politicians avoided:

• Assisted dying / the “right to die”: In her later years—especially as she progressed with Parkinson’s disease—MacDonald became a major public campaigner for legalizing assisted suicide under strict conditions.

• Sex workers’ rights: She advocated for more humane legal frameworks for prostitution, including tolerance zones.

• Accountability in government: She criticized excessive MSP salaries, overspending (e.g. on the Holyrood building), and other abuses of power.

• Homelessness and social welfare: She was involved in Shelter Scotland (housing advocacy) at times.

Her bold stances often attracted criticism, but also won her admiration as a politician with courage to speak truth to power.

Personality, Style & Public Perception

Margo MacDonald was often described as charismatic, forthright, energetic, and unafraid to ruffle feathers. She was willing to cross party lines, defy her own party, and stand alone for issues she believed in.

Her background working in the pub with “regular people” in Blantyre was sometimes said to have grounded her, giving her insight into everyday lives and struggles.

Even critics acknowledged that she was genuine, passionate, and committed. In obituaries, she was often called a “maverick” or “stormy petrel” of Scottish politics.

As her health declined, her campaigns for the right to die became deeply personal, giving her public advocacy even more resonance.

Famous or Notable Quotes & Statements

Margo MacDonald was more known for her speeches and interventions than for pithy, oft-cited quotations, but some memorable lines capture her spirit:

• In one interview she said:

  “I couldn’t stand the whole Union Jack bit, even as a girl. My heroes were Wallace and Bruce.” This points to her deep Scottish identity from an early age.

• On nationalism and identity:

  “Being Scottish was simply what I was.”

• Regarding her right-to-die fight, she framed it not as theory but as deeply personal:
  (Many accounts note that she called it more than a theoretical issue)

These quotes and stances show how she melded conviction with a sense of personal integrity.

Lessons from Margo MacDonald’s Life

1. Courage in political life
   MacDonald’s path demonstrates that sometimes doing what you believe is right—rather than what is politically safe—is what gives one's career meaning.

2. Independence of spirit
   She refused to become a “yes-woman” to party leadership. Even within the SNP, she challenged orthodoxy. Later, as an independent MSP, she wielded influence precisely because she was unbound by party discipline.

3. Public advocacy rooted in lived experience
   Her fight for assisted dying was grounded in her own health struggles. This gave both moral weight and emotional authenticity to her campaign.

4. The role of dissent in democracy
   In a political landscape often dominated by consensus or party control, voices like hers remind us that dissent is essential for a vibrant democracy.

5. The power of persistence
   MacDonald lost elections, faced criticism, left her party, and yet always found ways to return and continue her work. Her resilience is a model for public service over decades.

Conclusion

Margo MacDonald’s life was a tapestry of bold ideas, principled stands, and deep commitment to Scotland and social justice. Though no longer living, her legacy endures in debates about autonomy, dignity, and the role of conscience in politics.