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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James Dornan has been the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart since 2011 and was the SNP’s deputy whip between 2012 and 2016. He previously said he would be leaving Holyrood in 2021, before making a surprise U-turn and winning back his seat in the last election, and took time away from Holyrood for a period due to health reasons. Posting on X, Mr Dornan said “It’s this pathetic type of politics and politicians such as [former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas] Ross that make me glad that this is my last term as an MSP. “Politics has always been a dirty game but now we have a parliament where the official opposition want to close and the other mob want to diminish. I could weep.”

21. James Dornan - SNP

James Dornan has been the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart since 2011 and was the SNP’s deputy whip between 2012 and 2016. He previously said he would be leaving Holyrood in 2021, before making a surprise U-turn and winning back his seat in the last election, and took time away from Holyrood for a period due to health reasons. Posting on X, Mr Dornan said “It’s this pathetic type of politics and politicians such as [former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas] Ross that make me glad that this is my last term as an MSP. “Politics has always been a dirty game but now we have a parliament where the official opposition want to close and the other mob want to diminish. I could weep.” | John Devlin/National World Photo: John Devlin

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Oliver Mundell has been the MSP for Dumfriesshire since 2016. He is the son of David Mundell, the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, and has previously held senior party roles including education spokesman, skills spokesman, rural economy spokesman, and tourism spokesman. Mr Mundell said he wants to spend more time with his family and seeks “fresh challenges” in his working life.

22. Oliver Mundell - Conservative

Oliver Mundell has been the MSP for Dumfriesshire since 2016. He is the son of David Mundell, the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, and has previously held senior party roles including education spokesman, skills spokesman, rural economy spokesman, and tourism spokesman. Mr Mundell said he wants to spend more time with his family and seeks “fresh challenges” in his working life. | Fraser Bremner/Press Association

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John Mason was first elected as the SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston in 2011. However he had the SNP whip removed in August 2024 after posting on social media that there was “no genocide” in Gaza - he has sat as an independent MSP ever since. During his political career he has faced widespread criticism for participating in anti-abortion demonstrations outside abortion clinics. Mr Mason told The Scotsman: “I will not be standing again in 2026. At the age of 68, going on 69, it will definitely be time to retire.”

23. John Mason - independent

John Mason was first elected as the SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston in 2011. However he had the SNP whip removed in August 2024 after posting on social media that there was “no genocide” in Gaza - he has sat as an independent MSP ever since. During his political career he has faced widespread criticism for participating in anti-abortion demonstrations outside abortion clinics. Mr Mason told The Scotsman: “I will not be standing again in 2026. At the age of 68, going on 69, it will definitely be time to retire.” | Andrew Milligan/Press Association

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Audrey Nicoll is the SNP MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine. However her standing down poses an interesting dilemma for the SNP, as this is the seat Westminster leader Stephen Flynn MP wanted to stand for. Her resignation paves the way for Mr Flynn to stand in the Holyrood election.

24. Audrey Nicoll - SNP

Audrey Nicoll is the SNP MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine. However her standing down poses an interesting dilemma for the SNP, as this is the seat Westminster leader Stephen Flynn MP wanted to stand for. Her resignation paves the way for Mr Flynn to stand in the Holyrood election. Photo: JPI

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