Nicola Sturgeon has been an MSP since devolution in 1999, and was the longest-serving and first female First Minister. She said she has known “for some time” what her plans were, and added: “Once you say it out loud, there’s a sense of relief.” Ms Sturgeon said: “I feel sad, because we are talking here about me turning the page on my life, so far. “I’ve dedicated my life to trying to make Scotland a better place, I’ve dedicated my life to public service.” She added: “I have known in my heart for a while that the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life.” Ms Sturgeon became First Minister in 2014 after the independence referendum and led the country through the coronavirus pandemic. She stood down in 2023 and has sat on the SNP backbenches since.placeholder image
Nicola Sturgeon has been an MSP since devolution in 1999, and was the longest-serving and first female First Minister. She said she has known “for some time” what her plans were, and added: “Once you say it out loud, there’s a sense of relief.” Ms Sturgeon said: “I feel sad, because we are talking here about me turning the page on my life, so far. “I’ve dedicated my life to trying to make Scotland a better place, I’ve dedicated my life to public service.” She added: “I have known in my heart for a while that the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life.” Ms Sturgeon became First Minister in 2014 after the independence referendum and led the country through the coronavirus pandemic. She stood down in 2023 and has sat on the SNP backbenches since. | Lisa Ferguson

The Scottish politicians standing down at the 2026 Holyrood election

Rachel Amery
By Rachel Amery

Political Correspondent

Published 29th Jan 2025, 14:52 GMT

We take a look at all the MSPs standing down at the 2026 Holyrood election.

As we get closer to the 2026 Holyrood election, eyes turn to who will not be standing for re-election.

So far the biggest name to rule themselves out of contention is former first minister Humza Yousaf.

But speculation remains about some other high-profile names in the Scottish Parliament, including former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

We take a look at all the MSPs who have confirmed they will be standing down at the 2026 election.

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Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says he will be standing down as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands because he wants to be re-elected to Westminster. In a statement Mr Ross said: “In the general election last year, I said I would stand down as an MSP if elected. “As I hope to stand for Westminster again at the next general election, I believe it is right that I don’t seek election to Holyrood in 2026. “I will however work flat out to support Russell Findlay and the team to return as many Scottish Conservative MSPs as possible next May.” Mr Ross has been an MSP since 2016 and for the majority of his Holyrood career he has juggled being an MSP and an MP at the same time. In 2024 he said he was standing down from Westminster to concentrate on Holyrood, but at the eleventh hour replaced David Duguid as the candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after the party deemed him too unwell to stand. Mr Ross lost this seat to the SNP and was forced to resign as party leader.

5. Douglas Ross - Scottish Conservatives

Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says he will be standing down as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands because he wants to be re-elected to Westminster. In a statement Mr Ross said: “In the general election last year, I said I would stand down as an MSP if elected. “As I hope to stand for Westminster again at the next general election, I believe it is right that I don’t seek election to Holyrood in 2026. “I will however work flat out to support Russell Findlay and the team to return as many Scottish Conservative MSPs as possible next May.” Mr Ross has been an MSP since 2016 and for the majority of his Holyrood career he has juggled being an MSP and an MP at the same time. In 2024 he said he was standing down from Westminster to concentrate on Holyrood, but at the eleventh hour replaced David Duguid as the candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after the party deemed him too unwell to stand. Mr Ross lost this seat to the SNP and was forced to resign as party leader. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

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Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon is standing down after spending “half of my life” in politics. Ms Gougeon was first elected in 2016 and was made rural affairs secretary in 2021 by Nicola Sturgeon. She said: “As the first female rural affairs secretary since devolution, I am proud of the policies I have been able to implement.” Ms Gougeon added: “Come 2026, I will have been in an elected position for just about half of my life and the time has come to take a step back from frontline politics and pursue new opportunities.”

6. Mairi Gougeon - SNP

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon is standing down after spending “half of my life” in politics. Ms Gougeon was first elected in 2016 and was made rural affairs secretary in 2021 by Nicola Sturgeon. She said: “As the first female rural affairs secretary since devolution, I am proud of the policies I have been able to implement.” Ms Gougeon added: “Come 2026, I will have been in an elected position for just about half of my life and the time has come to take a step back from frontline politics and pursue new opportunities.” Photo: Stock image

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Annabelle Ewing, one of Holyrood’s deputy presiding officer, will be standing down after first being elected in 2011. Ms Ewing, who is sister to backbencher Fergus Ewing and daughter of one of the party’s most iconic figures Winnie Ewing, said: “What an honour it is to represent Cowdendbeath in the Scottish Parliament. “My admiration for the grit, determination and community solidarity of my constituents is unbounded. “So, it is very hard indeed to inform my constituents of my decision not to seek nomination as SNP candidate in the May 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections.” She also vowed to continue fighting for independence, and added: “As my late mother, Winnie Ewing, famously said: Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on.”

7. Annabelle Ewing - SNP

Annabelle Ewing, one of Holyrood’s deputy presiding officer, will be standing down after first being elected in 2011. Ms Ewing, who is sister to backbencher Fergus Ewing and daughter of one of the party’s most iconic figures Winnie Ewing, said: “What an honour it is to represent Cowdendbeath in the Scottish Parliament. “My admiration for the grit, determination and community solidarity of my constituents is unbounded. “So, it is very hard indeed to inform my constituents of my decision not to seek nomination as SNP candidate in the May 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections.” She also vowed to continue fighting for independence, and added: “As my late mother, Winnie Ewing, famously said: Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on.” Photo: na

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Fiona Hyslop is currently transport secretary and has been an MSP since 1999. Over the years she has held various government roles including education secretary, economy secretary and culture minister. She said she wanted to stand down to spend more time with her family.

8. Fiona Hyslop - SNP

Fiona Hyslop is currently transport secretary and has been an MSP since 1999. Over the years she has held various government roles including education secretary, economy secretary and culture minister. She said she wanted to stand down to spend more time with her family. Photo: Submitted

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