Natalie Don-Innes

Natalie Don-Innes
Official portrait, 2021
Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise
In office
29 March 2023 – 20 May 2026
First MinisterHumza Yousaf
John Swinney
Preceded byClare Haughey
Succeeded bySiobhian Brown
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Renfrewshire North and West
In office
6 May 2021 – 9 April 2026
Preceded byDerek Mackay
Succeeded byConstituency Abolished
Personal details
Born (1989-02-12) 12 February 1989 (age 37)
Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
PartyScottish National Party
EducationUniversity of Glasgow
Websitehttps://nataliedon.scot

Natalie Don-Innes (born 12 February 1989) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Renfrewshire North and West from 2021 to 2026.

She served as the Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise from 2023 until 2026.

Early life

Don-Innes is from Renfrewshire and was raised in a council house by a single mother, following the death of her father when she was young. She holds a university degree in history from the University of Glasgow.

Political career

Don-Innes continued to serve as a local councillor for the Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank ward after having been elected in the 2017 Renfrewshire Council election.

She was selected as the SNP's candidate for the Renfrewshire North and West constituency in November 2020 for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, following a tight second vote by party members after the first vote had resulted in a tie with fellow Renfrewshire councillor Michelle Campbell. Don-Innes was subsequently elected as MSP for the constituency with a 46.3% vote share and majority of 7,307 (19.1%) votes. She stood down as a councillor at the 2022 local council elections in Scotland. In 2023, she was appointed to the Yousaf government as Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise.

On 13 March 2024, she announced that she would not seek re-election, stating it was the right decision for her family. She left office on 9 April 2026 at the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament ahead of the 2026 election.

Personal life

Don-Innes lives in the Renfrewshire village of Bridge of Weir and has two children. She is a fan of video games.

References

  1. 1 2 As Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise from 29 March 2023 to May 2024.
  1. ↑ "Renfrewshire North & West - Scottish Parliament constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Don, Natalie, (born 12 Feb. 1989), Member (SNP) Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish Parliament, since 2021; Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, since 2023". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2023. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u295968. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 3 January 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  3. ↑ "Full ministerial team confirmed". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  4. 1 2 Paterson, Kirsteen (11 August 2020). "Derek Mackay staffer Natalie Don bids for his Holyrood seat". The National. Scotland. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 Gilmour, Ruaraidh (29 March 2023). "Natalie Don MSP: Getting To Know You". Holyrood. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "Previous election results > Local government elections 2017 > Ward 11- Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank". Renfrewshire Council. Archived from the original on 25 November 2025.
  7. ↑ SNP candidacy battle for Scottish election goes on as initial ballot results in historic tie, Stephanie Brawn, Daily Record, 10 November 2020
  8. ↑ Michelle Campbell defeated by Natalie Don in key SNP Holyrood selection contest, Today News Post, 23 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "Previous election results > Scottish Parliamentary Election 2021". Renfrewshire Council. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  10. ↑ Paton, Craig (29 March 2023). "Yousaf says SNP is 'united' as he appoints supporters to his first Cabinet". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Renfrewshire MSP to stand down at 2026 Scottish Parliament election". Glasgow Times. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  12. ↑ Brawn, Steph (19 December 2022). "The MSP on a mission to better support Scotland's thriving games sector". The National.