Sarah Boyack says being MSP has been ‘honour’ as she prepares to stand down

Long-serving MSP Sarah Boyack has announced she will step down from Holyrood at the election next May.

Ms Boyack said it has been “the honour of my life” to serve as an MSP, but will not stand again in 2026.

She was elected in the first Scottish Parliament election in 1999 and was MSP for Edinburgh Central until 2011.

Ms Boyack was MSP for the Lothian region from 2011 to 2016 and then left parliament after failing to be re-elected, but returned in 2019.

The MSP, who was transport minister in Donald Dewar’s first cabinet, announced her intentions in the Edinburgh Evening News on Monday.

She said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament.

“I am proud of what I have achieved, both in my time in government and in my local campaigns for issues that matter to my constituents.

“It is great to see progress being made on issues such as a new Eye Pavilion for Edinburgh, funding for the King’s Theatre and the Filmhouse, but not least on my Member’s Bill to ensure a more sustainable future for all of Scotland.

“I will also continue to support causes close to my heart from Edinburgh’s housing crisis to the battle to ensure we remain one of the cultural capitals of the world.

“Although I am not standing again, I will work tirelessly in the election to achieve a Scottish Labour victory in 2026.

“I have loved my time representing this amazing community and I hope to see Anas Sarwar as First Minister champion these causes and more to achieve a more prosperous, sustainable and just Scotland.”