Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant to stand down at the 2026 Holyrood election saying it has been an ‘honour’ but it is ‘now time to make way for others’
Long-standing Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has announced that she will stand down at the Scottish Parliament election in 2026.
Mrs Grant first became a list MSP when the parliament was established in 1999 and has served in five of the five terms since then.
She fought the Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber constituency in 2003 losing to Fergus Ewing and also losing her regional list seat.
But in the 2007 election, Mrs Grant returned and was one of three Labour regional MSPs voted in for Highlands and Islands and has served continuously since then.
By the time she steps down from frontline politics, she will have served 19 years in the Scottish Parliament.
About her decision, Mrs Grant said: “I have been honoured to represent the Highlands and Islands Region over the years, but it is now time to make way for others.
“I have loved representing my region alongside people, too many to mention, who have worked with me, challenged me and supported me.
“Unfortunately, after thinking long and hard about the demands of this role, I do not feel I can continue to give the time and commitment required to do it justice and therefore hand on the baton to others and will not stand at the next Scottish Parliament elections.
“I want to thank all those who worked and supported me through the years, those who built a web of support and encouragement around me. I also want to thank my team, present and past, who have worked hard for our constituents and our region.
“I do not think it is possible to entirely switch off from representing the region that I love and I will continue to push for improvement to our services and opportunities whenever that opportunity arises.”
Those to whom she is making way include, she said: “Donald MacKinnon in Na h-Eileanan an Iar, who is a well-known crofter and community development worker who knows the Islands inside out. I have known Donald for many years and am delighted he stands ready to represent these islands.
“Eva Kestner in Caithness Sutherland and Ross, who comes with a breadth of experience both within the public and voluntary sector. Eva worked for me for many years in the Scottish Parliament and knows the area well. It was difficult to lose her when she moved south to be with her husband, and I am delighted that they are returning.
“Shaun Fraser in Inverness and Nairn, again someone I know well and have worked with for many years. When I first met him, he worked in homelessness, helping support people into tenancies in the Highlands. I watched proudly as his artistic career took off and I am so glad that he has been selected to stand to represent the Constituency.
As an MSP, Mrs Grant has served on a number of cross-party groups, including the Crofting cross-party group (CPG) and co-convening CPGs on Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation. As a result of this she was invited to speak at a UN side event at the 67th Session of the Commission on the status of Women in New York.
Her Member’ Bill on Domestic Abuse was adopted and became an act in April 2011 which made it an offence to engage in an abusive course of conduct against a current or ex-partner and she has served as the Labour spokesperson on a number of areas, including Rural and Islands; Women’s Equalities; Justice and Finance.
