Sharon Dowey (born 1969/1970) is a Scottish Conservative Party politician who has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the South Scotland region since May 2021.[2]

Sharon Dowey
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for South Scotland
(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)
Assumed office
8 May 2021
Personal details
Born1969 or 1970 (age 54–55)[1]
Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland
Political partyScottish Conservatives
Children3

Early life

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Dowey was born in Girvan and brought up in Maybole. She has lived and worked in Ayrshire all her life.[3]

Before her election to the Parliament, Dowey was a senior manager at the Morrisons supermarket chain,[4] where she had worked since she was 16.[3]

Political career

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At the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Dowey stood in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency, where she came second to Elena Whitham of the Scottish National Party (SNP). She achieved 30.6% of the vote, a +6.4% increase for the Scottish Conservative Party from the previous Scottish Parliament Election in 2016.[5] She was subsequently elected on the South Scotland regional list.[2]

On 12 January 2022, Dowey called for Boris Johnson to resign as Conservative party leader and Prime Minister over the Westminster lockdown parties controversy along with a majority of Scottish Conservative MSPs.[6]

Dowey is a member of 15 Cross-Party Groups (CPGs) in the Scottish Parliament, and serves as Depute Convener of the CPG on Wood Panel Industry.[7]

Personal life

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Dowey is married to Martin, a former police officer and the current Leader of South Ayrshire Council. They have three children.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Hilley, Sarah (10 November 2020). "MSP candidates chosen for election battle". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b Dunn, Ross (9 May 2021). "Scottish Election 2021: All of the Ayrshire results and what they mean for you". Daily Record. Glasgow. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Boyle, Fionnuala (8 April 2021). "Scottish Election 2021: Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley candidates". Cumnock Chronicle. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Sharon Downey". South Ayrshire Conservatives. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Scottish Parliament election results – Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Constituency 2021". East Ayrshire Council. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  6. ^ Green, Chris (12 January 2022). "Majority of Scottish Tories' 31 MSPs at Holyrood now openly calling for the Prime Minister to resign". Twitter. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Sharon Dowey". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
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