SNP veteran Russell to quit Holyrood at next elections
● The Brexit secretary will not seek re-selection to parliament
Michael Russell, the veteran SNP politician and Nicola Sturgeon’s current constitution secretary, has announced he is quitting frontline politics and won’t contest his seat at next year’s Holyrood elections.
The Argyll and Bute MSP, considered to be one of the SNP’S “big hitters”, has told his constituency party that he will not seek re-selection as their candidate in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections as he will be 72 by the end of the next parliamentary term.
His decision will be a blow to Ms Sturgeon who has relied on his counsel as Brexit secretary, andjustthismonthbroadened his remit to include Europe, external affairs and the constitution as part of her controversial plan to hold a second independence referendum this year.
His colleague Stewart Stevenson, who has been an MSP for 20 years, has also announced his decision to stand down, bringing the tally of SNP MSPS not seeking re-selection to six, after Gail Ross, James Dornan, Bruce Crawford and Richard Lyle had already announced they won’t stand again.
Mr Russell said: “I have been the MSP for Argyll and Bute since 2011 and it has been an enormous privilege as well as a greatly enjoyable task. However I will be 67 this summer and 72 at the end of the next Parliament. Argyll and Bute is a massive area to cover – with 23 inhabited islands and a large swathe of the mainland – and I am getting to the stage of thinking that someone younger would be better able to fulfil all the demands of the constituency. It is, I think, much better I say that now than wait for someone else to do so.”
He added: “I am proud of the work the SNP in government has done in Argyll and Bute, securing much new investment, supporting individuals and communities. I am also proud of the work that we as a party have done in government, including the tasks that I have undertaken in my ministerial roles in education, culture, the environment and in improving electoral law.
“Of course, my biggest challenges have been those I have faced since August 2016 when I was tasked with attempting to secure Scotland’s place in Europe and to make Scotland’s voice heard in Whitehall.”
Mr Stevenson has also announced he was standing down as he would be past his 75th birthday at the next election. “No-one is indispensable and I know that there is a breadth of talent in the SNP ready to fight for the people of Banffshire and Buchan Coast.
“I will therefore not be putting my name forward to contest the elections in 2021.”