Latest news with #Lothians
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Scottish Parliament chief to stand down at next Holyrood election
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLYROOD presiding officer Alison Johnstone will stand down as an MSP next year. The former Scottish Greens politician has announced that she won't run in next May's election. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Alison Johnstone is set to stand down as an MSP Credit: Alamy 2 She has been presiding officer at the Scottish Parliament since 2021 Credit: Alamy Ms Johnstone took on the non-partisan presiding officer position in 2021. Following the last Scottish Parliament election, the Lothians MSP emerged as the only candidate for the Holyrood chamber role. She was elected with 97 votes in favour, 28 against, two abstentions and one spoiled ballot. The job of presiding officer is equivalent to the Speaker of the House of Commons. They are responsible for overseeing business at Holyrood and chairing meetings in the debating chamber. Ms Johnstone, 59, said: 'I was elected in 2011 and it was always my intention that this would be my last term in Holyrood.' She said she did not come from a political background, adding: 'I was not in a political party but campaigned for the creation of a Scottish Parliament and I then worked as an assistant for Robin Harper, the first-ever Green parliamentarian in the UK elected to the first-ever Scottish Parliament.' Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Conservatives accuse Ms Johnstone of bias in her role, an allegation she has always denied. At the end of May, the presiding officer took the rare decision to kick former Tory leader Douglas Ross out of the chamber due to his interjections at First Minister's Questions. During her tenure, Ms Johnstone guided the parliament through the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, which included implementing social distancing and remote working practices. John Swinney defends Gray's car use after minister was 'driven to pub' She was also heavily involved in the ceremony following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, when the King visited the Scottish Parliament to hear a special motion of condolence session. Before entering politics, she was a qualified athletics coach and previously held the east of Scotland titles for the 800m and 1,500m.
Edinburgh Reporter
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fergus Ewing to stand as an independent
The MSP explained his reasons in a statement released on Friday after months of public discussion over whether he would continue as a politician due to the ongoing differences between him and the SNP leadership. Mr Ewing voted against Lothians MSP Lorna Slater during a vote of no confidence in 2023. After a temporary suspension following his breaking of the whip he was restored to the SNP benches but announced earlier this year he would not stand for the party at the election next year. He said: 'For 26 years I have had the privilege to be the constituency MSP for Inverness and Nairn. I am enormously grateful for having had the opportunity to serve. 'Over that time, 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 today I am announcing my decision to stand for the honour of representing the people of Inverness and Nairn for the seventh time as an independent. 'I want to help get the Scottish Parliament back to its best. 'This has not been an easy decision. I have taken it 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. 'The SNP has been part of the fabric of my life for more than half a century. Indeed, I believe there has been a distinctive thread of Ewing running through its plaid for even longer. I hope that is never removed. But fabrics can become worn. I hope the SNP can repair itself and return to the honour and traditions of those who first wove it in a manner that meets Scotland's real modern needs.' Mr Ewing continued: 'Over the 14 years as a Scottish Government Minister I tried every day, to help ordinary people, and to improve their lives, in each of the portfolios in which I served. 'But over the past decade, the party seems to have deserted many of the people whose causes we used to champion. '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. '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. To act with maturity. 'Over the past four years on the backbenches, I sought to offer advice as a critical friend. 'Warning Nicola Sturgeon at the outset, that to enter a pact with the fringe Green Party was a strategic blunder which would only damage us by association. 'Then we saw the Bute House Agreement, negotiated by the present First Minister, gradually disintegrate as inherent flaws in its promised policies were inevitably exposed as manifestly impracticable and wholly unaffordable. 'These failures – plus a strange preoccupation with issues regarded as largely irrelevant to most people' lives – have all cost the SNP much loss of electoral support but also something else which is priceless. Public trust.' Mr Ewing's family is an integral part of SNP history. His sister Annabelle is MSP for Cowdenbeath and his late mother Winnie won the Hamilton seat in 1967 which was a pivotal moment for the party. The SNP have selected Emma Roddick who sits as a regional MSP to contest Mr Ewing's seat in Inverness and Nairn. Fergus Ewing MSP. Credit: Colin D Fisher/ Like this: Like Related
STV News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone to step down as MSP at election next year
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has confirmed she will not run to be an MSP again at next year's election. Johnstone, who was elected as a Scottish Green before taking on the non-partisan role in 2021, says she will be leaving politics. Following the last Scottish Parliament election, the Lothians MSP emerged as the only candidate for Presiding Officer and was elected with 97 votes in favour, 28 against, two abstentions and one spoiled ballot. The role of the Presiding Officer is equivalent to the Speaker of the House of Commons and is responsible for overseeing business at Holyrood, chairing meetings in the debating chamber. Speaking to The Times, Ms Johnstone said: 'I was elected in 2011 and it was always my intention that this would be my last term in Holyrood.' She said she did not come from a political background, adding: 'I was not in a political party but campaigned for the creation of a Scottish Parliament and I then worked as an assistant for Robin Harper, the first-ever Green parliamentarian in the UK elected to the first-ever Scottish Parliament.' Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Conservatives accuse Ms Johnstone of bias in her role, an allegation she has always denied. At the end of May, the Presiding Officer took the rare decision to kick former Tory leader Douglas Ross out of the chamber due to his interjections at First Minister's Questions. During her time as Presiding Officer, she steered the parliament through the Covid pandemic restrictions which saw social distancing and remote working practices implemented. She was also heavily involved in the ceremony following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, when the King visited the Scottish Parliament to hear a special motion of condolence session. Before entering politics, Ms Johnstone was a qualified athletics coach and previously held the east of Scotland titles for the 800m and 1500m. Some of her earlier campaigns as a parliamentarian included Fans First, a push for fan ownership of football clubs. She also proposed a ban on fracking and campaigned against benefits sanctions in devolved employment schemes. The 59-year-old is a former co-leader of the Scottish Greens and one of her most prominent campaigns was against the killing of mountain hares. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Sarah Boyack to step down at the election
Sarah Boyack MSP said she will step down at next year's Scottish parliamentary election. Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack who was first elected to The Scottish Parliament in 1999 has announced she will step down at the next election. Ms Boyack has campaigned on many issues, from bus passes to trying to rid the city of 'party flats'. In recent weeks she managed to persuade the First Minister to give her an assurance that the Scottish Government will look at the relatively small amount of cash needed to ensure that Filmhouse will be able to complete all four cinemas before opening at the end of the month. Sarah said: 't has been the honour of my life to serve my community in the Scottish Parliament, but I've decided not to stand in next year's election. 'I am proud of what I achieved both in government & as a local MSP, from introducing free bus passes for the over 60s andnational parks, to pushing the successful campaign to secure a new eye hospital for Edinburgh. 'I am excited to campaign for Scottish Labour in the 2026 election and I will continue to support action to tackle our housing & climate emergencies after my time in Holyrood is done. 'It's been a privilege to serve the people of Lothian.' Labour MSP, Foysol Choudhury, said: 'Sarah has been an outstanding representative for Edinburgh and the Lothians over the past 25 years. A thoughtful and determined voice in Scottish politics, she has led vital portfolios including Culture, Transport, and Net Zero, always standing up for local communities and causes with conviction. Her dedication and leadership have left a lasting impact across the country. 'Since my own election, Sarah has been a tremendous support to me always ready with guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. In many ways, she supported me like a big sister, and I will always be grateful for the kindness and wisdom she so generously shared. She has long been a respected and influential figure in our Parliament, and her presence will be deeply missed.' Gregor Poynton, Labour MP for Livingston, said: 'Sarah Boyack has been a tireless and passionate champion for Edinburgh, the Lothians, and for Scotland throughout her remarkable career. 'From her ground-breaking work as a Scottish Minister to her dedicated work with communities across the region, including West Lothian and the Almond Valley constituency, Sarah has always put people first. 'Her decision to stand down will not have been easy, but she can look back with real pride on a record of delivering for the Lothians in government and opposition alike. Sarah will be greatly missed at Holyrood and in our party, but I know she will continue to make an invaluable contribution to our movement and our country in the years ahead. 'I wish Sarah all the very best for the future and thank her for everything she has done for our region and for Scottish Labour.' We have loads of photos of Sarah in our library – here is just a selection. Sarah Boyack MSP at Pedal on Parliament 2023. Photo © 2023 Martin P. McAdam Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Leith gala day cancelled as 'appalling and dangerous' weather conditions hit Edinburgh
The popular Leith gala day has been cancelled as 'appalling' weather conditions hit Edinburgh. The event kicked off on Saturday, June 14, but organisers have since made the decision to pull the festival due to 'dangerous thunder and lightning'. It comes amid a yellow weather warning for adverse conditions across Edinburgh and the Lothians. READ MORE: Hollywood actor spotted on Edinburgh city centre street leaving fans starstruck READ MORE: Man arrested over shooting of two gangland Scots outside of Spanish bar Organisers claim it "was not an easy decision". A statement published online reads: "Due to appalling weather and dangerous thunder and lightning, for safety reasons we are closing the gala day event. "This was not an easy decision. We did try to persevere but today the weather was not on our side. "Thanks to all traders and public that braced the weather. Leith Festival." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Locals have been left gutted by the circumstances. One person said: "Such a shame but safety must come first. Well done to everyone today for trying to make it happen". Another said: "So sorry for all of you who I know put so much work into organising this event." During the day Met forecasters warn spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures as well as a small chance of communities being cut off by flooded roads. They also say, where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and cancellations to public transport. Power cuts could also occur and homes and businesses could be flooded quickly.
