Angela Constance

Angela Constance (born 15 July 1970) is a Scottish politician who has been Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning since 2014 and the Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Almond Valley (formerly Livingston) since 2007.

Constance stood as a candidate for Depute leader of the SNP in the party's 2014 leadership contest, but lost to Stewart Hosie.

Early life

Constance was born in Blackburn, West Lothian, the daughter of Simon Constance, a coalminer, and Mary Constance (née Colquhoun). She was raised in Addiewell and West Calder. While studying at the University of Glasgow, Constance was elected President of Glasgow University Students' Representative Council, where her sabbatical vice president was Alasdair Allan, now SNP MSP for the Western Isles.

Before her election to Holyrood, Constance worked as a social worker and was a councillor for West Lothian Council where she was the SNP spokesperson for children services and lifelong learning. She also stood for the SNP in the Livingston by-election, 2005.