Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
A Labour of love: MSP on her lifelong passion for politics
Elaine Smith has announced that she plans to stand down from the Scottish Parliament ahead of the next Holyrood election in 2021.
The Central Scotland MSP – one of just 17 current members who have served at the parliament since it was established in 1999 – announced her decision to Labour party officials as they begin the process of candidate selection for the next poll.
She represented her hometown seat of Coatbridge & Chryston for the first 17 years of the parliament, before returning as a regional list member three years ago, and has also served as Holyrood’s deputy presiding officer.
Ms Smith told the Advertiser her decision to stand down has been prompted by health conditions thyroid and asthma, saying: “This isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle and can be all-encompassing; it’s not 9-5 Monday to Friday, and I don’t want to feel that I can’t give 100 per cent.
“At first there was a lot of surprise that I don’t intend to stand again and some people had tried to persuade me otherwise; but I’ve discussed it with family and close friends, and this seems right and a sensible thing to do.
“It’s simply down to health; I’ve had these chronic health conditions since my late 20s, but feel I’m now unable to give the amount of time required.”
The Coatbridge constituency party will now hold a selection and hustings meeting this month to decide on a Labour candidate to contest the seat in 2021.
Ms Smith added: “It’s not going to be easy to win it back, but it’s achievable – and getting someone in place gives certainty and gives that person time to start campaigning locally.
“I’ll stay involved with Labour and want to support whoever the new candidate is; and if they’re seeking any advice, I’m happy to do that.
“After stepping down from the parliament, I’d like to be able to spend more time with family and do some volunteer work; I’ll continue as patron of Missio Scotland and I’d also want to put more time into my work as an ambassador for St Andrew’s Hospice.
“I’ll miss my colleagues of all political parties; it’s a great honour and privilege being an MSP, and to have represented Coatbridge & Chryston for 17 of those years.”
The MSP will remain as busy as ever during her remaining time at the parliament, however, both as a regional representative and through her Labour frontbench role on poverty and inequality.
She said: “I’m hoping to take forward a private members’ bill on the right to food, and if it isn’t through before the end of the session, at least there will be work done on it and someone else can take it forward.
“One of the things I’m really pleased about is taking on the poverty and inequality brief, and there’s a lot more work to do on health inequalities.