Tory MSP Maurice Golden latest among dozens of politicians to quit Holyrood

North East Tory MSP Maurice Golden announced on Monday that he will not run for re-election next year.

He becomes the latest of at least 30 politicians to quit the Scottish Parliament ahead of the 2026 election.

After ten years as a front-line Tory politician at Holyrood, Golden told The Courier on Monday that although he would continue to support the Conservative party, he would not seek re-election.

“I have enjoyed working with colleagues across the chamber, and I wish all of those seeking re-election the very best,” he told the paper.

Golden is the former Tory chief whip and spokesperson for the environment, and he previously criticised former Tory prime minister Liz Truss for her “extreme” budget plans – despite the current Scots Conservative leader Russell Findlay calling on the Scottish Government to replicate her decisions.

He also launched a Bill to ensure dog thieves are “dealt with severely” in Scotland.

His announcement has come just days after his former Tory colleague Jamie Greene defected to the Lib-Dem party.

Golden is the latest of at least 29 other MSPs to announce their resignation plans ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections next year.

The list includes some of the biggest names in Scottish politics – including former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf, and other experienced SNP government ministers.

Labour is losing former leader Richard Leonard, who has proved a formidable chair of the Public Audit Committee.

Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross is also on the list of resignations.

However, the SNP group is by far losing the most.

The 2026 election is still nearly a year away, but 22 SNP members have already announced that they won’t seek re-election.

Six of the retiring SNP members, including Sturgeon, have served as MSPs since the Scottish Parliament first convened in 1999.

Five women from the nationalist party will be quitting after their first term in Parliament.

A spokesperson for the SNP said: “We look forward to fielding a strong selection of candidates who are ready to stand up for their communities and move Scotland towards independence.”

Some MSPs are leaving due to age, including MSPs James Dornan and Bill Kidd, who are both in their 70s.

Prior to her death last month, MSP Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) announced she would resign while she received treatment for secondary breast cancer.

Others have said it’s time to step back and prioritise other aspects of their lives.

Regardless of the various reasons, the resignations will pave the way for a new generation of Scottish politicians to rise through the ranks.

Following her resignation, Sturgeon told STV news: “There’s lots of members standing down at the election next year which means there will be a generation of new blood coming into institution and that should be I hope a fresh start moment.”

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

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