SHONA Robison is to step down as an MSP at the next Holyrood election.
The Dundee City East MSP announced that she will not seek re-election as a candidate ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election in May 2026.
She says the reason for the move is that it is the "right time for me to take on some new challenges and contribute to public life in a different way".
Robison, who serves as Finance Secretary, was first elected in 1999, when the Scottish Parliament was first reconvened.
She was first appointed as a minister in 2007, going on to serve in a number of ministerial roles, including as deputy first minister.
She said in a statement this morning: “It has been a great privilege to serve as an SNP MSP since the Scottish Parliament was first reconvened in 1999, and as a minister and cabinet secretary in successive SNP governments since 2007.
I have some personal news this morning 👇 pic.twitter.com/HuTR848ozm
— Shona Robison MSP (@ShonaRobison) March 5, 2025
“After careful consideration and reflection, I have decided that I will not seek re-election at the Scottish Parliament election next year. By the time of the next election, I will have been an MSP for 27 years, and I believe now is the right time for me to take on some new challenges and contribute to public life in a different way."
During her time in office she oversaw the preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which received acclaim for their organisation, attendance, and the public enthusiasm of the people of Scotland.
Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper hailed the event as "the standout games in the history of the movement".
“I am deeply proud of my ministerial contributions and achievements – overseeing Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games in 2014, implementing Minimum Unit Pricing, a world-leading policy that has saved hundreds of lives, and delivering a more than doubling of the ‘game-changing’ Scottish Child Payment, as part of our journey to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.
The First Minister John Swinney said on Twitter/X: "Shona has made such a formidable contribution to The SNP, Scottish Parliament and The Scottish Government.
"She has been a great friend, colleague and ally to me and I am sorry she will stand down at the election. I send my warmest wishes to her for all that lies ahead."
Her announcement continued: “And I am particularly proud of steering the Scottish Budget through Parliament earlier this year. It is a budget for Scotland that delivers record funding for our NHS and local Councils, action to effectively scrap the cruel two-child cap, and restores a universal winter heating payment for every pensioner household."
This follows recent news that veteran SNP politician Annabelle Ewing will not run for re-election in 2026.
Her statement continued: “However, the best moments over my time at Holyrood have come from representing and supporting my constituents. I will forever be grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to serve them over the many years I have represented the city."
Robison has been a member of the SNP since 1988 and worked for Glasgow City Council's Social Work Department prior to her election.
During her political career Robison was at the forefront of scrapping the Tay Bridge tolls back in 2007 and helped deliver the Dundee Waterfront transformation.
“Most of all, I want to thank my constituents, who have given me the opportunity to be their representative and speak up for them and our city.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of my family, local SNP members, my constituency team, and the many colleagues whose support I have been able to rely on since 1999.
“Be in no doubt that although I will no longer serve in Parliament, I will continue to campaign for and support the SNP, alongside my lifelong goal of delivering independence for Scotland.”
We will have more on this story as it develops
