Tory Tess White joins list of MSPs stepping down from Holyrood in May

Conservative Tess White has become the latest politician to announce she will not be running for Holyrood next year – with the MSP saying she had made the decision for health reasons.

Ms White, who was elected to Holyrood in 2021, had been selected as the Scottish Conservative candidate for Angus North and Mearns in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

But in a letter to Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay, she said “with great sadness” that “owing to my health, I have decided to withdraw as the candidate”.

Ms White confirmed: “I will therefore not seek re-election as a Scottish Conservative MSP in 2026.”

She said stepping down has “not been an easy decision”, but she believes “it is the right one”.

The Tory thanked her family for their “unwavering support” as well as her “wonderful team”.

She stressed it has been “an honour to serve my constituents and to stand up for the rights of women and girls over the past few years”, with Ms White vowing she will “continue to champion the north east, as well as women’s rights, in the Scottish Parliament for the remainder of the parliamentary session”.

Mr Findlay praised the MSP as being a “warrior for women’s rights and a champion for the north east”.

Posting on social media, the Scottish Conservative leader wished “Tess every future success and the best of health”.

Ms White joins a list of over three dozen MSPs who have opted not to seek re-election to Holyrood next May, with fellow Tories Douglas Ross, Liz Smith and Oliver Mundell amongst those to have confirmed they will not stand.

Former SNP first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have also announced they will not bee seeking re-election, along with current Cabinet secretaries Fiona Hyslop, Shona Robison and Mairi Gougeon.