Mary Scanlon MSP is the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
Mary stood for Parliament in Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber in 1997, 1999 and 2003 then in October 2005 the Moray party selected Mary to be their candidate for the 2007 Scottish Parliamentary election. Following the death of the Moray MSP a by election was called. Mary took the brave decision to resign her seat in order to stand in the by election. Scottish Conservative party members in the Highlands and Islands have voted Mary to the top of the Highlands and Islands list for the Scottish Parliament election on May 3
Mary was the Scottish Conservative health spokesman and member of the Parliament’s health committee from 1999 – 2003, and continues to take a very close interest in health issues.
From 2003 to 2006, Mary was the Party’s communities spokesman, covering issues such as housing, planning, charities, the voluntary sector, and equality.
As one of the Conservative MSPs for the Highlands and Islands Mary held regular monthly surgeries where she met and worked with many individual constituents, organisations, and businesses throughout the region.
Prior to entering the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Mary Scanlon lectured in Economics and Business Studies at Inverness College, UHI.
She graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in Economics and Political Science in 1983, which was followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management, and membership of the Institute of Personnel Development.
Mary’s son and daughter graduated from Edinburgh and Dundee Universities in Civil Engineering and Law respectively, and now both work in their professions.
Mary’s other interests include
Hill-walking, pilates, gardening and swimming