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MORE SENIOR FIGURES QUIT Russell and Stevenson are latest SNP big-wigs to reveal exit plans
NICOLA Sturgeon is losing another two SNP veterans in an election exodus of high-profile party members.
Brexit minister Michael Russell is calling it a day in May next year, along with former minister Stewart Stevenson.
Both were key members of ex-first minister Alex Salmond’s early top team when the SNP came to power in 2007.
Russell will be 67 at the next vote, while Stevenson will be 75 next year.
Six of the party’s MSPs have now confirmed they won’t stand again.
Russell served as a minister for the environment, culture, and education, before taking on the task of representing the SNP administration in Brexit talks.
That effectively ended this year when the UK Government over-ruled SNP demands and took Scotland out of Europe with the rest of Britain.
Russell said: “There is no doubt that we are now faced with the most hostile, arrogant, heedless and thoughtless UK Government in many generations, which is determined to have its own way no matter what the people of Scotland want or vote for.
“It has been particularly distressing to have to see Scotland dragged out of Europe against our will by them – though that is something I am sure we can reverse before too long.”
Stevenson is MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast. He oversaw the climate change act but was forced out as transport minister after roads chaos in the winter of 2010.
The SNP faces a tough fight in the north-east where Tories have made gains and Brexit has a relatively strong support base.
Stevenson said: “My leaving Parliament does not mean that I shall be leaving politics. Until Scotland can make its own decisions as a normal, independent country, co-operating with friendly neighbours for moral causes, I shall continue to lend my efforts wherever and whenever I can.”
Last week, SNP stalwart Bruce Crawford announced he would stand down next May.
Caithness MSP Gail Ross said she’s stepping down after struggling with the travel between her far north constituency and Edinburgh.
She called for video links for meetings and remote voting to help rural MSPs. James Dornan and Richard Lyle are also quitting.