SNP MSP Fergus Ewing to stand as independent candidate in Scottish Parliament election

SNP MSP Fergus Ewing has announced he will stand as an independent candidate at next year’s Holyrood election.

Ewing has served as the constituency MSP for Inverness and Nairn since 1999 and is seeking election for the seventh time, ending over 50 years of association with the SNP.

In a personal statement, the 67-year-old said it “wasn’t an easy decision”, expressing concern about the SNP’s direction and accusing the party of “deserting many of the people whose causes we used to champion.”

Ewing, who previously served as rural affairs secretary in government, also branded the power-sharing deal with the Greens a “strategic blunder”.

He cited delays to the dualling of the A9 from Perth to Inverness and A96 from Aberdeen to Inverness as a key factor in his decision to leave the party.

Ewing’s statement read: “I have seen the Scottish Parliament at its best and its worst. I fear in recent years it has been at its worst.      

“This has not been an easy decision. I have taken it because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn and the people of Scotland more than my party which I have been in for more than half a century.

“I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself – presently – is letting Scotland’s people down. It doesn’t need to be this way.”

Ewing has previously disagreed with the party on several policy issues, including gender recognition reforms, the Deposit Return Scheme, and its level of support for the oil and gas sector.

In 2023, he voted against Green minister Lorna Slater in a no-confidence motion, defying party whips and leading to his temporary suspension from the SNP group at Holyrood.

Ewing described Holyrood as “more fractious and tribal than ever before” and said “too much power rests unchecked in the hands of party leaders”.

He called for greater cooperation between Scotland’s main political parties to tackle major challenges including economic instability, high energy costs, and public service reform.

“Ordinary people accept that they must work together in their own workplace – with everyone – whether they choose them as friends and allies or not,” his statement continued.

“It’s time for politicians to do what the people customarily do – to work together for the interests of the nation.

“In short: It’s time for Holyrood to grow up.”

Ewing is the son of Winnie Ewing, whose victory in the 1967 Hamilton by-election marked a significant milestone for the SNP. He is the brother of Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing.

He was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, when it was reconvened, and went on to serve as a minister for 14 years under both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

SNP Leader John Swinney said: “It was with real sadness and deep regret that I heard of Fergus Ewing’s decision to leave the Scottish National Party.

“We have both served the SNP and the cause of independence for many years, and I commend him for all that he achieved while serving in the SNP Government until 2021.

“Fergus had the option of standing at the forthcoming election for the SNP, given his status as an approved candidate. He chose not to accept that opportunity and I regret that he has ultimately decided instead to leave the party.

“The SNP approaches the 2026 election ahead in the polls, with growing support for independence, and I am looking forward to taking our positive, ambitious vision for Scotland’s future to the people.”