Which MSPs are standing down in 2026?
The Scottish Parliament faces major change next year as a swathe of established politicians leave office.
There is much speculation about the likely outcome of the 2026 vote. But what is certain is that, regardless of who forms the next Scottish Government, the chamber will be a very different place due to the sheer number of MSPs certain not to return.
They include ‘99ers – members of devolution’s first intake 26 years ago – and others who have served only one term, with cabinet secretaries, ministers and backbenchers amongst their number.
And, with selections continuing for most parties, that number could yet grow – even before a single vote is cast.
That’s except for the Scottish Greens, all of whose current bill are running again, though some face a bigger re-election challenge than others.
Here we recap the roster of politicians who have declared they will not stand again next time.

Government figures are amongst those set to step down | Alamy
SNP: Big hitters prepare to leave the stage
Of all the parties with confirmed losses, the SNP has the most. This is partly because of differences in selections processes, with the SNP sticking to a national timetable where other parties work on a regionalised basis.
We’d thought we’d heard the last announcement from Swinney’s ranks weeks ago, before the constituency candidate list was published. That turned out to be premature when Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes issued a belated statement saying that she would not run in 2026, in order to prioritise raising her three-year-old daughter.
Forbes joins a list which includes:
Stephanie Callaghan, Uddingston and Bellshill
Willie Coffey, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
Further education, higher education and science minister Graeme Dey, Angus South
Children and young people and The Promise minister Natalie Don-Innes, Renfrewshire North and West
James Dornan, Glasgow Cathcart
Deputy Presiding Officer Annabelle Ewing, Cowdenbeath
Former local government empowerment minister Joe Fitzpatrick, Dundee West
Rural affairs, land reform and islands minister Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns
Former deputy presiding officer Christine Grahame, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, Linlithgow
Bill Kidd, Glasgow Anniesland
Business and employment minister Richard Lochhead, Moray
Gordon Macdonald, Edinburgh Pentlands
Chief whip Rona Mackay, Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Ruth Maguire, Cunninghame South
Former health secretary Michael Matheson, Falkirk West
Audrey Nicoll, Aberdeen South and North Kincardine
Finance secretary Shona Robison, Dundee City East
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, Glasgow South
Michelle Thomson, Falkirk East
Evelyn Tweed, Stirling
Former drugs and alcohol policy minister Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Former first minister Humza Yousaf, Glasgow Pollok

Members of the Scottish Conservative group | Alamy
Scottish Conservatives: Well-kent faces step down
Maurice Golden, North East Scotland
Edward Mountain, Highlands and Islands
Oliver Mundell, Dumfriesshire
Former leader Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands
Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife

Members of the Scottish Labour group | Alamy
Scottish Labour: Change ahead for the few
Former transport and planning minister Sarah Boyack, Lothians
Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands
Former leader Richard Leonard, Central Scotland
Former deputy leader Alex Rowley, Mid Scotland and Fife

Beatrice Wishart MSP | Alamy
Scottish Lib Dems: Isle see you later
Beatrice Wishart, Shetland Islands
Independent/No Party Affiliation:
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, Lothians
John Mason, Glasgow Shettleston
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