Veteran Ewing out of SNP after announcing plans to stand as independent

Veteran MSP Fergus Ewing is no longer a member of the SNP after announcing his plans to stand as an independent candidate at next year’s election, the PA news agency understands.

The Inverness and Nairn MSP, who has been in the Scottish Parliament since its formation in 1999, said he plans to stand against his now former party, saying it had “lost its way”.

But it is understood that under SNP rules, membership ceases when someone announces plans to stand against the party.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr Ewing said he has seen the Scottish Parliament “at its best and its worst”, with the latter in recent years.

“I want to help get the Scottish Parliament back to its best,” he said.

“This has not been an easy decision. I have taken it because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn and the people of Scotland more than my party which I have been in for more than half a century.

“The SNP has been part of the fabric of my life for more than half a century.

“But fabrics can become worn. I hope the SNP can repair itself and return to the honour and traditions of those who first wove it in a manner that meets Scotland’s real, modern needs.”

The former minister has repeatedly clashed with the SNP-led Scottish Government in Edinburgh, particularly over the dualling of roads impacting his Highland constituency and over the failed deposit return scheme.

The Ewing family is revered within the SNP and wider independence movement, with the late Winnie Ewing claiming a key victory in a by-election in Hamilton in 1967 to propel the party forward.

She would go on to sit as an MEP and be the one to preside over the opening of the newly-formed Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Both Mr Ewing and his sister, Annabelle, are sitting MSPs.

He added: “I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself – presently – is letting Scotland’s people down. It doesn’t need to be this way.

“Holyrood is more fractious and tribal than ever before.”

Too much power, he said, lies in the hands of party leaders, who choose candidates that will “slavishly support them”.

Scotland has entered a period of “managed decline”, the former minister said, as he urged the major parties to work together to solve it, “whether in a grand coalition or a less formal arrangement” as he hinted at the idea of a Government made up of members of all the main parties in Holyrood.

“In each main party there are people of talent and experience and a Cabinet of all of the best people could best serve Scotland,” he said.

SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney said: “It was with real sadness and deep regret that I heard of Fergus Ewing’s decision to leave the Scottish National Party.

“We have both served the SNP and the cause of independence for many years, and I commend him for all that he achieved while serving in the SNP Government until 2021.

“Fergus had the option of standing at the forthcoming election for the SNP, given his status as an approved candidate. He chose not to accept that opportunity and I regret that he has ultimately decided instead to leave the party.

“The SNP approaches the 2026 election ahead in the polls, with growing support for independence, and I am looking forward to taking our positive, ambitious vision for Scotland’s future to the people.”

Scottish Tory Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain said: “It speaks volumes about John Swinney and the SNP’s appalling failures in government that even nationalist royalty is prepared to twist the knife in this way.

“By standing as an independent, Fergus Ewing has made it clear he simply cannot defend his party’s record to voters while out on the campaign trail.”

While the Scottish Lib Dem candidate for the Inverness and Nairn seat said Mr Ewing “can’t just walk away from the big part he has played in their (the SNP’s) record of failing the Highlands”.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “Fergus Ewing’s decision to stand as an independent has revealed the scale of the crisis in the SNP and John Swinney’s total lack of control and leadership.

“Fergus Ewing has been a pivotal player in the SNP for decades – that he is jumping ship tells you all you need to know about John Swinney’s tired and collapsing party.”