Deputy first minister Kate Forbes to stand down as MSP ahead of next year's Scottish Parliament elections

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes will stand down as an MSP at next year’s Holyrood elections.

Forbes has served as MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch since 2016, becoming John Swinney’s deputy in May 2024 shortly after he was sworn into office.

On Monday morning, she announced that she would step back in 2026 to spend more time with her family.

“After careful thought over recess, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to Scottish Parliament next year,” Forbes said on Monday morning.

“I’ve written to the First Minister this morning. I will continue to serve the First Minister, the Government and my constituents to the best of my ability until May 2026.”

In her letter to Swinney, Forbes said it had been an “incredible privilege” to serve her constituency, and she added that she’s also been “grateful for the opportunity to serve in Government”.

However, she said the job “rightly entails long days far from home, constant attention and total dedication”.

“As I consider the upcoming election and the prospects of another term, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life,” Forbes said.

Speaking to STV News, Forbes insisted the decision to step down next year is entirely personal rather than political.

She said it’s been particularly challenging to balance her “important” job as an MSP and deputy first minister with her family life.

“For me, there’s the added dimension of [my constituency] being so far away from Holyrood and representing a colossal constituency that’s five hours from one side to the other,” Forbes said.

“My daughter is three today, and she’ll be going to school in the next few years. At that point, I’ll have to decide whether or not to leave her behind, essentially, for weeks and see very little of her.”

Forbes had previously challenged former first minister Humza Yousaf for the SNP leadership in 2023, but opted not to stand against Swinney, who had promised her a “significant” role in his Government.

On Monday, she said she remains “wholly supportive” of Swinney, just as she did when she backed him to become First Minister in 2024.

“I remain completely supportive of John Swinney as party leader and First Minister,” Forbes said.

“I have enormous respect for what he’s doing in Government, and I’ll continue to campaign for the SNP and return them to Government.”

In response to her announcement, Swinney said: “I pay tribute to Kate for her invaluable contribution to public life over the last ten years. The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made, although I wish it was not the case.

“I am pleased that Kate will continue to serve in my government and to make a significant contribution to the work of the Scottish National Party. I wish her and her family well and for every happiness for the future.”

The deputy first minister joins a growing list of around 35 other MSPs from across the political spectrum who have already announced that they won’t seek re-election in 2026.

The list includes some of the biggest names in Scottish politics, including former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf. Several Scottish Government ministers also are planning to step back next year.

Approximately 25 SNP MSPs, 14 of whom are women, have announced that they will not stand for election next year.

In March, the First Minister said his party does not have an issue with women, despite the fact that two-thirds of SNP MSPs who are standing down are female.

He said the issue was wider than just the SNP and there were “big issues” with how women in politics are treated.

Here’s a full list of the politicians who will step down next year by party and where they’re from.

SNP

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (MSP for Glasgow Southside)
Deputy FM Kate Forbes (SNP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch)
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf (MSP for Glasgow Pollok)
Shona Robison (MSP for Dundee City East)
Fiona Hyslop (MSP for Linlithgow)
Michael Matheson (MSP for Falkirk West)
Mairi Gougeon (MSP for Angus North and Mearns)
Richard Lochhead (MSP for Moray)
Annabelle Ewing (MSP for Cowdenbeath)
Christine Grahame (MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale)
Elena Whitham (MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)
Ruth Maguire (MSP for Cunninghame South)
Joe FitzPatrick (MSP for Dundee City West)
Michelle Thomson (MSP for Falkirk East)
Audrey Nicoll (MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine)
Evelyn Tweed (MSP for Stirling)
Graeme Dey (MSP for Angus South)
Rona Mackay (MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden)
Gordon MacDonald (MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands)
Natalie Don-Innes (MSP for Renfrewshire North and West)
Bill Kidd (MSP for Glasgow Anniesland)
James Dornan (MSP for Glasgow Cathcart)
Willie Coffey (MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)
Fergus Ewing (MSP for Inverness and Nairn. Not standing for SNP, running as an independent in 2026)
John Mason (MSP for Glasgow Shettleston. Expelled from the SNP, and currently sitting as an independent)