DEPUTY First Minister Kate Forbes will not seek re-election to the Scottish Parliament in 2026.
In a letter to the First Minister John Swinney on Monday, Forbes said that "after careful thought over the summer recess," she had told her local constituency association that she intends to step down from Holyrood next year.
The outgoing Cabinet secretary said she had made the decision in order to spend more time with her young family. She gave birth to her daughter Naomi in the summer of 2022.
The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP was elected in 2016, having previously worked for former MSP Dave Thompson in the same constituency.
She wrote: "It has been an incredible privilege to serve the people of the Highlands since 2016 as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. In that time, I have also been grateful for the opportunity to serve in Government."
In 2018, she was promoted to the junior position of minister of public finance and her rapid rise continued when she was announced as Scotland’s first female finance secretary after Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace in early 2020.
Forbes became the first woman to deliver the Scottish Budget.
She returned to being the backbench for a short period after coming second to Humza Yousaf in the SNP leadership race in 2023, before taking up the post of Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic after Swinney took over as leader.
"I am in no doubt about the scale of my duties as a local representative, an activist and campaigner, and a Government Minister. Quite rightly this job entails long days far from home, constant attention and total dedication," she said.
"As I consider the upcoming election and the prospects of another term, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life."
Forbes further reiterated her support for Swinney, writing: "I remain wholly supportive of you today just as when I backed you to be Leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, and I will continue to serve my constituents and the public with diligence over the next year.
"I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election, to return you as First Minister for another term and lead Scotland to independence."
Swinney responded soon after the letter was published on social media, writing: "I pay tribute to Kate for her invaluable contribution to public life over the last ten years.
"The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made although I wish it was not the case."
Forbes was born in Dingwall and spent part of her childhood in India. She would go on to become an accountant and later worked for Barclays.
When she was in Scotland, she attended a Gaelic school where she became fluent in the language.
