Veteran MSP Fergus Ewing to run as independent in 2026
Veteran MSP Fergus Ewing has announced he will run as an independent at next year’s Holyrood election, meaning he will be standing against the SNP candidate for Inverness and Nairn.
Mr Ewing had already said he will not be an SNP candidate next year, having represented the party as an MSP since 1999.
First Minister John Swinney said he is saddened by Mr Ewing’s decision “to leave the Scottish National Party”.
He has been a vocal critic of the Scottish Government on several issues, often providing fiery contributions from the back benches.
Slow progress on the dualling of the A9 and A96 roads were key to his decision to run as an independent, he said.
He told the Press and Journal: “I cannot stand again for the SNP and defend the indefensible.
“I have taken it (the decision) 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.”
He added: “I have seen the Scottish Parliament at its best and its worst.
“I fear in recent years it has been at its worst.
“The failures of the SNP to deliver on its longstanding pledges to dual the A9 and A96 are a major part of that.”
He told the BBC the SNP had “lost its way” and Holyrood had become “more fractious and tribal than ever before”.
Mr Ewing is the son of nationalist trailblazer Winnie Ewing and previously served as a minister.
Emma Roddick has been selected as the SNP candidate for Inverness and Nairn.
Public finance minister Ivan McKee was asked about Mr Ewing’s decision as he spoke to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme on Friday.
He disagreed the pro-independence party had “lost its way”, saying: “I don’t believe we have, I think under John Swinney’s leadership, we’re taking forward priorities for the people of Scotland.
“I’m disappointed in Fergus’s decision, I have worked with him on a number of things over the years.
“I think he’s not correct on this and I think it would be more effective for him to stay in the party and work to deliver the change Scotland needs.”
SNP leader Mr 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.”