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The Herald Scotland
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Ewing: 'Who, hand on heart, can defend the SNP's record?'
'It's a sad day,' he said. 'Lots of professional friendships, loyalties made me think very carefully before coming to the conclusion that I did, but it is the right decision, and it isn't a rehearsal we're in. So we have to try and do the right thing.' READ MORE Mr Ewing, who has represented the Highlands since 1999, said he could no longer "defend the indefensible" and that he believed the SNP's record in government had become impossible to justify — particularly in relation to the A9 and A96. 'And these are not just policies on paper, but they're things which have seen people lose their lives on the roads simply because, unlike in the central belt, our roads lack central barriers to prevent head‑on collisions.' His decision sets up a high-profile contest with the SNP's Emma Roddick in Inverness and Nairn, where he is defending a majority of 9,114. Mr Ewing served in the governments of Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, but in recent years became one of the SNP's most vocal internal critics. He was briefly suspended from the SNP Holyrood group in 2023 after voting against Green minister Lorna Slater in a motion of no confidence, defying party whips. Fergus Ewing outside Holyrood (Image: Colin D Fisher/ Mr Ewing accused the SNP of abandoning traditional supporters. 'They used to stand up for oil and gas workers, farmers, fishermen. Now they insult farmers, want to stop fishermen from fishing with no scientific basis, and claim to support oil workers while refusing to allow new drilling,' he said. 'The coalition with the Greens was, in my view, the final blow. 'Just look at the facts: we've lost three-quarters of our MPs, 65,000 members, and 10 to 15 percentage points in the polls. That's about a third of our support. Who, hand on heart, can defend that record, and yet, that's really what they're doing.' Asked why he had made the announcement now, he said he had been 'wrestling' with his conscience for 'perhaps too long.' 'I've been disgruntled with almost every serious aspect of SNP policy, and I've said so.' What encouraged him was the 'overwhelming' level of local support — including from voters outside the independence movement. He said the timing was also practical — announcing before summer to allow him to campaign at local events like the Nairn Games and Inverness Show. 'I also didn't want to announce it after Parliament had gone into recess, because I think that would have made it look as if I was a bit cowardly, scared to go back and face my colleagues. 'I mean, since three-quarters of my SNP colleagues haven't talked to me for four years, then I don't really think there's going to be too much change.' READ MORE Leaving the SNP means surrendering access to party infrastructure and campaign data, but Mr Ewing said he remained undeterred. He was, he insisted, capable of winning. 'The idea that the SNP machine is a finely tuned Rolls-Royce is, sadly, not true. Headquarters was barely functioning at the last election. The machine is now out of oil and probably spends more time in the garage than on the road.' He added that around 20 volunteers were already on board: 'You don't need huge numbers to run a campaign. Twenty dedicated people are better than a hundred turning up for a selfie.' Mr Ewing said his re-election bid would be strengthened by the fact that, over more than 25 years as a constituency MSP, he had helped thousands of local people. 'List MSPs don't really do very much constituency work. I mean, they pretend to, but the truth is they don't. Not many constituents go to them. They don't know who they are.' Mr Ewing said the Parliament had become 'tribal and fractious,' and that more cross-party cooperation was needed, particularly given the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform UK. 'It may sound a bit naïve to say, well, parties can work together in Scotland, but it depends on the context. And if the context is Reform ends up with 32 seats and becomes the second-largest party, it might not be naïve — it might be necessary — for the other parties to stop their bloody bickering and get on with governing in a grown-up way,' he said. Despite his criticisms, Mr Ewing said he would continue as a 'critical friend' to the SNP and reiterated his support for Kate Forbes, though he stopped short of saying he would rejoin if she became leader. 'I was against the Green deal from the start. I was the only one who voted against it in the whole group, the only one. I was proven to be correct. But nobody has actually ever said we got it wrong. 'The SNP are like the emperor in the emperor's new clothes. They're in denial. And the trouble about that is that although — I'm not the wee boy that blew the gaff on the emperor and said he was naked, I'm a 68-year-old whippersnapper — nonetheless, the public can see it." 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'. He added: '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.'
Saudi Salary
a day ago
- Politics
- Saudi Salary
اخبار عن نية اعادة كرايسلر لسيارتها الاسطورية 300 في عام 2026 ما هو التصميم الانسب لها برأيكم؟ هل مفروض تكون بنفس ال
MSP Fergus Ewing announces he will stand as an independent candidate in the 2026 Holyrood elections. Colin D Fisher/ MSP Fergus Ewing believes he has more to give and so he will run as an independent in next year's Scottish Parliament elections amid simmering anger at the current state of the SNP and Holyrood. After months of speculation surrounding the firebrand SNP politician , who has represented the area as a Nationalist since the parliament was formed in 1999, he told The Inverness Courier: 'I am to stand in the Holyrood elections next year,' because of 'unfinished business'. 'This has not been an easy decision,' he explained. 'I have taken it because I love the people of Inverness and Nairn and the people of Scotland more than my party.' • WATCH: Fergus Ewing's dualling pledge to the people of Inverness and Nairn to 'get the job done' • Years of SNP 'failures' led to Fergus Ewing's refusal to stand for the party Mr Ewing - son of the late Winnie Ewing, an icon of the independence movement - has been outspoken since the SNP failed to deliver on its promise to completely dual the A9 from Inverness-Perth by 2025, and insists the party which has been in power since 2007 'is letting Scotland's people down'. 'The party seems to have deserted many of the people whose causes we used to champion ,' he said. 'In oil and gas. Farming. Fishing. Rural Scotland. Tourism. Small business and many other areas of life. Betraying generations who fought for women's rights.' And after 26 years in Holyrood he said: 'I have seen the Scottish Parliament at its best and its worst. I fear in recent years it has been at its worst. 'That is why I am announcing my decision to stand for the honour of representing the people of Inverness and Nairn for the seventh time but this time as an independent.' Fergus Ewing: 'I have seen the best and the worst of our parliament… it is time to get back to the best'. But he will not resign from the SNP, the party his mother Winne helped to build, so bosses would have to expel him – surely a hugely unpalatable, unpopular move. Mr Ewing explained: 'I hope the SNP will change. And once again stand up for the interests of Scotland's people. So, I have no desire to resign my membership of nearly half a century.' Instead he wants to 'work within as a critical friend' because 'I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself – presently – is letting Scotland's people down. He added: 'It doesn't need to be this way. Holyrood is more fractious and tribal than ever before. '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. Choosing the pliant over the talented.' Mr Ewing is not 'pliant' and in recent years his rebel stance has seen his popularity and standing grow as the reputation of the SNP and Holyrood has declined. His disenchantment is mirrored by a large body of his current constituents and others across the Highlands who in Mr Ewing they have found a representative MSP. Mr Ewing's fury with the course the SNP took was ignited in February of 2023 when it was confirmed the A9 dualling's 2025 deadline would be missed. Fergus Ewing: 'It is a great sadness' that the 'good faith promises' to dual the A9 and A96 have been broken. His wrath was nursed over the next few months by Greens-oriented policies that he saw as particularly destructive and damaging to the Highlands. On almost every occasion those policies either failed or were mothballed including highly protected marine areas – a policy so bad that it inspired a protest song. The SNP suspended him for not backing Greens minister Lorna Slater in a confidence vote over the deposit return scheme, which was cancelled at an estimated cost of £186 million. The A9 was just the tip of the iceberg as there was still the issue of the A96 dualling for which he was just as unforgiving, it is not hard to see why he is standing. Mr Ewing said: 'Sadly the SNP in Government have failed to deliver on their promises to dual the A9 by this year and the A96, including the Nairn bypass by 2030. 'There is not yet even a timetable for the Nairn bypass and there is no clear plan as to how the projects will be funded. 'This is simply not good enough. It is a betrayal. I cannot defend the indefensible, and so I cannot stand again as an SNP candidate. 'For these and many other reasons, I have decided that I will offer the people in Inverness and Nairn the chance to re-elect me as an independent voice, and pledging to get the job done – and force the next government to deliver. 'People locally know that I will never back- track, U Turn or urge a 'review' as the SNP government have done for the A96 – a review which, astonishingly, has taken nearly five years and remains incomplete. 'For me it is unfinished business.' Fergus Ewing: 'I do feel very sadly that my party has lost its way'. Instantly, the Inverness and Nairn race is one of the most compelling in the country with the LibDem, the SNP, Tory and Labour candidates already declared. Without Mr Ewing, who secured between 47-52 per cent of the vote at the last three elections, the seat was competitive. But that was four months ago, when he said he would not stand for the SNP because he 'simply cannot defend the record of the SNP government'. However, he reserved the option to run as an independent. Mr Ewing has now taken up the option with gusto firmly setting his sights on retaining the constituency seat and not entering his name as a Highland list candidate. He said: 'I am not seeking the 'insurance policy' of also putting myself forward to stand on the list - for the Highlands and Islands. 'I have served as a constituency MSP for 26 years and will strive over the next 11 months to continue in that role. 'Let the people decide.' Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print. Business Dual The A9 Latest News Nairnshire Politics Scott Maclennan
