News / Labour MSP set to stand down at next election
A LONG-SERVING Highlands and Islands MSP has announced she will not be seeking re-election next year.
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has said she will not be standing at the next Scottish Parliamentary elections in May 2026.
She first become a member of the Scottish Parliament at its inception in 1999, and has served five of the six terms since.
Grant said she had been honoured to represent the Highlands and Islands, but that it was “now time to make way for others”.
“I have loved representing my region alongside people, too many to mention, who have worked with me, challenged me and supported me,” she said.
“Unfortunately, after thinking long and hard about the demands of this role, I do not feel I can continue to give the time and commitment required to do it justice and therefore hand on the baton to others and will not stand at the next Scottish Parliament elections.
She said the Scottish Labour Party had already selected a number of excellent candidates in the region, with “excellent” people waiting to be selected for other constituencies.
The party has not yet announced who will be representing them to contest the Shetland seat at next year’s election.
Grant thanked all those who had worked and supported her over the years, and her team “past and present” for working to serve constituents and the region.
She added: “I do not think it is possible to entirely switch off from representing the region that I love and I will continue to push for improvement to our services and opportunities whenever that opportunity arises.”
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