SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed has announced her intention to stand down ahead of the Holyrood election in 2026.
It comes just days after Tweed appeared in reports of a “hit list” of MSPs Stephen Flynn wants to be replaced with former MPs.
Flynn has denied such a list exists, but rumours of his manoeuvres have long circulated through Holyrood and Westminster.
The Stirling MSP was on the list alongside Karen Adam, Collette Stevenson, Jackie Dunbar and Emma Roddick.
Tweed retained the seat for the SNP in the 2021 Holyrood elections following Bruce Crawford’s decision to retire after 18 years in the Scottish Parliament.
Tweed said: “I have informed my branch that I have not sought reselection for the Stirling seat and have decided to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election to embrace new opportunities.
“It has been an immense privilege to service – first as the councillor for the Trossachs and Teith ward of Stirling Council and then as the constituency MSP for Stirling since 2021.
“I entered politics because I believe in Scottish independence, and I wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. When I stand down, I will have dedicated over 35 years to public service – first as a housing professional and then as an elected representative.
“I passionately believe that Scotland will be an independent country."
She added: “I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering love and support during this journey and would also like to thank the local SNP members, colleagues and my amazing staff team who have helped me over the years and my constituents for putting their trust in me. This has meant the world to me.
“Though my time in this role is coming to an end, my commitment to serving my constituents will remain as strong as ever until I stand down.”
Her announcement comes just days after Audrey Nicoll announced her intention to stand down.
MSP for Aberdeen South and Kincardine, Nicoll announced this month she will be standing down at the next election, just months after the Westminster leader said he would be seeking the candidacy in her seat – a decision he later walked back after a backlash from inside and outside the party.
The decision instead came after reflection over the Christmas period, she added, with her initial intention having been to only sit in Holyrood for one parliamentary session.
Nicoll added: “The hit list is not something that I was aware of, it’s certainly not come across my radar in Holyrood.”
The party, however, has “got to be careful to how we respond” to it, she said.
