SNP's Fergus Ewing to stand as an independent in 2026

The Herald Scotland

4 hours ago

The veteran MSP and former minister said his decision was 'not an easy one' but was driven by disillusionment with the direction of his party and the state of the Scottish Parliament.
READ MORE
Mr Ewing said his party had "deserted many of the people whose causes we used to champion".
'I have taken [the decision to stand as an independent] 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 said.
'I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself, presently, is letting Scotland's people down.'
Mr Ewing, first elected in 1999, served in the governments of both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.
In recent years, however, he has become one of the SNP's most vocal internal critics, repeatedly challenging party bosses, particularly around the failure to dual the A9.
He also criticised party policy on North Sea oil and gas, the proposed deposit return scheme, gender recognition reform, and plans for Highly Protected Marine Areas.
He was suspended from the SNP Holyrood group in 2023 after voting against then Green minister Lorna Slater in a motion of no confidence, defying party whips.
In March this year, he announced he would not stand for re-election as an SNP candidate, but threatened to stand as an independent.
In a statement confirming that he would now contest the vote, Mr Ewing criticised what he described as the increasingly 'fractious and tribal' nature of the Scottish Parliament.
'Too much power rests unchecked in the hands of party leaders, free to choose candidates who will slavishly support them rather than stand up for the people who sent them to Holyrood,' he said. 'Choosing the pliant over the talented.'
He added: 'It's time for Holyrood to live up to the high expectations people rightly held for it, when my mother, Winnie, reconvened our own Parliament in 1999. It came of age some years ago; surely now it's time for it to grow up.'
Mr Ewing urged politicians in the main parties to work together, "whether in a grand coalition or a less formal arrangement", to reform public services and maximise economic growth.
When approached by The Herald, Mr Ewing said he had not quit the SNP.
However, in a statement, 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".
The SNP constitution states that a member "may not contest or be a member of any organisation contesting elections in opposition to the Party", and that the National Secretary has the power to suspend a member who does.
A party source said Mr Ewing's membership ceased when he declared their intention to stand against the party.
In his statement, the First Minister said: "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.'
Earlier this year, there was speculation that Mr Ewing could be barred from standing for the SNP again.
Although he ultimately passed vetting, the episode sparked tensions within the party.
Former cabinet secretary Alex Neil said any move to deselect Mr Ewing would have triggered 'a massive revolt from both the public and within the party', describing him as 'one of the most effective MSPs in Scotland'.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, a close ally of Mr Ewing, also intervened in the row, urging the SNP to consider his 'long-standing contribution' to the party and its values.
READ MORE
Ms Roddick took to social media shortly after Mr Ewing's announcement to say the election was "about one person or one issue."
She said: "I'm honoured to have been overwhelmingly backed by local members to stand as the SNP candidate for Inverness and Nairn. This is my home, and I care deeply about making it the best place to live, work and study.
"I know how tough things are for many families right now and the scale of the challenges ahead of us. I've never stayed silent on the issues that matter and I won't start now.
"I'm SNP because I believe a better future for the Highlands is possible with Scotland as an independent country - and that we only get there by working together.
"This election isn't about one person or one issue - it's about who will actually deliver on housing, healthcare, the cost of living, and, of course, infrastructure like the A9.
"You'll always get energy, hard work, and honesty from me because I believe the people of Inverness and Nairn deserve nothing less."
🧵 I'm honoured to have been overwhelmingly backed by local members to stand as the SNP candidate for Inverness and Nairn. This is my home, and I care deeply about making it the best place to live, work and study. pic.twitter.com/pEf84wN0Be — Emma Roddick MSP (@EmmaRoddickSNP) June 20, 2025
Shaun Fraser, Scottish Labour candidate for Inverness and Nairn, said he was not surprised by Mr Ewing's decision.
He said: "It must have taken a lot of deliberation and heartbreak for Fergus to decide to stand against the SNP next year. His family pedigree runs through the history of the party like a stick of rock.
"I can't say that I'm surprised by his decision, however – it's been a long time coming. Inverness and Nairn need a change of government at Holyrood; only Scottish Labour can deliver that. I wish Fergus well for his retirement after the election."
Mr Ewing won the constituency in 2021, with 48% of the vote, and a majority of 9,114.
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain came second. He said: '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.
'The SNP have shamefully abandoned the Highlands over their 18 years in power. They continue to put lives at risk with their broken promises on dualling the A9 and A96.
'Countless public services have been downgraded or centralised away from rural and remote areas and there is a chronic lack of housing available to ensure local people can stay in these communities.
'Given someone who was born into the SNP won't stand under their banner, the anger among local voters will be palpable. Next year's election offers those in the Highlands and across Scotland a chance to remove the SNP from office and ensure the focus is finally on people's real priorities.'
The Lib Dem candidate for Inverness and Nairn, Neil Alexander, said Mr Ewing should not be allowed to "walk away from the big part he has played" in the SNP's "record of failing the Highlands."
He added: "While the two nationalists try to turn our constituency into a battleground for their party feud, I'm focused on what really matters to people here.
'I'm listening to residents across Inverness and Nairn, and the message is clear - we need real action on dualling the A9 and A96, proper investment in Raigmore Hospital, urgent improvements in mental health services and an end to the sewage scandal affecting our rivers and beaches."