MSP Mary’s bid for Fee-dom
Paisley politician Mary Fee has announced she is to retire from the Scottish Parliament at the next election in 2021.
The Labour MSP, who represents West Scotland, was first elected in 2011 after serving as a councillor on Renfrewshire Council.
Announcing the decision, she said: “Being elected to the Scottish Parliament has been one of the greatest honours of my life.
“It has been a real privilege to represent my community, the people of West Scotland and Scottish Labour since 2011.
“Over the last eight years, I have been proud to help thousands of people from all areas of West Scotland deal with housing, health, education and many more problems people face in their daily lives.
“I have been equally proud to lead on and raise a range of equalities and human rights issues in the Scottish Parliament, such as LGBT equality, tackling Gypsy/Traveller discrimination and supporting children and families of prisoners.”
However, she acknowledged the dramatic change in Scottish politics and believes it’s time to step aside for a new generation.
She said:“Politics in Scotland has undergone a dramatic change in my time as MSP. Now it is time for a new generation of Labour MSPs, with real life and real work experience, to take on the new challenges and reinvigorate Scottish Labour.
“Finally, I want to thank many of my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament and most importantly thank my award-winning staff for their hardwork, dedication and loyalty during my time as MSP for West Scotland.”
Mary stood in the Renfrewshire North and West constituency seat in 2016 however was elected on the regional list.
Labour has made the seat an all-woman shortlist to tackle gender inequality in politics and Mary said she’d be contacting local members to encourage female members to apply.