A short film about a remarkable woman who was a pioneering campaigning socialist, a Troon councillor and Kilmarnock's first female MP has received high praise from politicians.
Clarice McNab, who born in 1883, moved to Ayrshire from Leith in 1918 after marrying the Labour Party's Scottish organiser, Ben Shaw.
As Clarice McNab Shaw, she later served on Ayrshire County Council, representing Troon, and was elected as the Labour MP for Kilmarnock in the general election of July 1945.
Tragically, she never got to make her maiden speech in the Commons after falling seriously ill almost as soon as she was elected.
She was forced to resign her seat in October 1946, and died at her home in Titchfield Road in Troon later that month.
Now she is being honoured in a new film made by Labour MSP Richard Leonard, which he's made available on social media.
It is the latest in a series of short films the MSP has made about key figures from the Scottish labour and trade union movement, including Keir Hardie, Jennie Lee, Jimmy Maxton and John Maclean.
Clarice in the headlines (Image: Richard Leonard)
Cathy Jamieson, who represented Kilmarnock and Loudoun from 2010 to 2015, said Clarice McNab Shaw was “a huge inspiration”, while former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP said the film “inspires the present generation, especially of young women, to appreciate that they can change the world”.
The film opens with Richard Leonard saying: “Women like Clarice McNab Shaw are all too often hidden from history.”
He said: “It is very important that we don’t just remember our past but that we learn from it too.
“Dedicated socialists and peace campaigners like Clarice McNab Shaw have a lot to teach us.
“I am committed to keeping their memories alive so that their values live on.”
MSP Richard Leonard (Image: Richard Leonard)
Cathy Jamieson added: “Clarice Shaw was a pioneer in championing provision of early years education and support for women.
“Sadly her parliamentary career was ended through illness but she was a huge inspiration to me in my political career and I am sure will continue to inspire others in future.”
John McDonnell said: “Being reminded of heroines of the labour and trade union movement like Clarice inspires the present generation, especially of young women, to appreciate that they can change the world around them through their participation in current campaigns.
“Richard Leonard provides us with an invaluable service in recalling working class struggles in this way.”
The by-election that followed Clarice's death saw Ayr's own Willie Ross elected as the new MP for Kilmarnock - a seat he held for a remarkable 32 years.
You can view the three-minute video telling Clarice's story on Richard Leonard's Twitter feed at tinyurl.com/clariceshawfilm.
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