A former SNP minister has announced they will not run in the next Holyrood election.
Joe FitzPatrick, SNP MSP for Dundee City West, said he would not seek re-election after nearly 20 years in Holyrood.
FitzPatrick served in government under first ministers Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf and was first elected to Holyrood in 2007.
He said: “I never for a moment expected that I would have the privilege of representing Dundee over the course of four successive parliaments.
“After 19 years as an MSP, I feel that now is the right time for me to step down and give someone else the opportunity to stand as the local SNP candidate, so that they can take forward our strong record of delivering for Dundee.”
FitzPatrick added that he had “no doubt” Scotland will become independent, and that he looked forward to “taking the lessons from the SNP’s success in Dundee and helping to play my part in delivering independence”.
As a government minister, FitzPatrick introduced a new law which created an opt-out system for organ donation.
While Minister for Parliamentary Business, he introduced a bill to lower the voting age in Scotland to 16.
As Public Health Minister, he backed calls for a supervised overdose prevention facility pilot in Scotland and established the Drugs Death Taskforce.
He resigned from the role in 2020 over criticisms around the growing number of drugs deaths in Scotland.
In the most recent Holyrood election, FitzPatrick secured over 60% of votes – making it one of the “safest” SNP strongholds in the country.
He added: “Joe served with distinction in several positions in government – including as minister for parliamentary business, a role in which he introduced the landmark legislation which lowered the voting age in Scotland to 16, allowing thousands of young people to engage in the democratic process.
“That is a legacy which any politician can be proud of.
“While Joe may be standing down from Parliament, I look forward to his continued contribution to the Scottish National Party, and the cause of independence.”
In a post on Twitter/X, the First Minister added: “I am so sorry @JoeFitzSNP has decided to step down at the next election.
I am so sorry @JoeFitzSNP has decided to step down at the next election. He has been a devoted servant of the people of Dundee West and a huge part of @theSNP success in the city. He will be much missed in our parliamentary team and I thank him warmly for all he has done so far. https://t.co/4G0k1GI69D
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) January 28, 2025
“He has been a devoted servant of the people of Dundee West and a huge part of @theSNP success in the city.
“He will be much missed in our parliamentary team and I thank him warmly for all he has done so far.”
