DEPUTY First Minister Kate Forbes has announced that she will not stand in the 2026 Holyrood elections.
The leading SNP figure, who also serves as the Gaelic and Economy Secretary in the Scottish Cabinet, said that the decision had come because she did not wish to miss out on more “precious early years of family life”. She gave birth to her daughter Naomi in the summer of 2022.
Forbes went public with her decision on Monday morning, saying on social media: “After careful thought over recess, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to @scotparl next year.
“I’ve written to the First Minister this morning. I will continue to serve the First Minister, the Government and my constituents to the best of my ability until May 2026.”
As well as sharing the letter to John Swinney, Forbes also posted a video to Instagram and Facebook explaining the reasoning behind her decision.
In the video, the Deputy First Minister said: “I've loved representing Highland communities and people in the Scottish Parliament for almost a decade.
“I've given my all to working for you and I hope that commitment has been evident throughout that time. Thank you for re-electing me at the last election with the biggest majority in Scotland.
“But as I look ahead to the next election and beyond, I've decided not to seek re-election for a third term. It's time to pass the baton to somebody new.
“The ingenuity and resilience of Highland communities continues to inspire me as much today as it has throughout my life.
“I've loved supporting thousands of you, helping to resolve the difficulties and issues in your lives and those of your families.
“Thank you to those who've worked with me and for me, to those who've knocked doors with me, to those who voted for me, and those who didn't, thank you.
“I was first elected in my mid-twenties. I've grown up in the public eye, getting married, having a baby, raising a young family. And it's now time for me to step back from my public duties.
“As a local, the success of the Highlands will always matter to me. But for now, it's time for something new for me and for somebody new for you. Thank you.”
Kate Forbes's resignation statement
“It has been a great honour to serve Highland communities for almost a decade. I am grateful to every voter who re-elected me at the last election with the biggest majority in Scotland.
“I have also been privileged to serve in Government, first as Minister for Public Finance, then as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and most recently as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.
“As I reflected over recess, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election for another five year term in the Scottish Parliament.
“All politicians face a choice at every election to stay on the same path or not. Quite simply, I’ve decided on the latter. I remain wholly supportive of the First Minister just as when I backed him to be leader of the SNP and I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election – to lead Scotland to independence.
“I was first elected in my mid-twenties, dedicating my most formative adult years to public service. In that time, I presented multiple Budgets, supported thousands of businesses and workers during Covid-19 and launched Scotland’s most ambitious [[business]] start up network TechScaler. I now wish to step back from my public duties and focus on new opportunities to serve people.
“I have grown up in the public eye, getting married, having a baby and raising a young family. I have consistently put the public's needs ahead of my family's during that time. I am grateful to them for accommodating the heavy demands of being a political figure. Looking ahead to the future, I do not want to miss any more of the precious early years of family life – which can never be rewound.
“I am very grateful to everybody I've worked with - in my constituency office, the party and Government. It’s not an easy environment and I will leave public office with the highest respect for the journalists who hold us accountable, MSPs across the chamber and hard working volunteers in every community.”
Here is Kate Forbes’s letter to First Minister John Swinney in full
After careful thought over recess, I’ve decided not to seek re-election to @scotparl next year. I’ve written to the First Minister this morning 👇🏽 I will continue to serve the First Minister, the Government and my constituents to the best of my ability until May 2026. pic.twitter.com/oNV4DGoelF
— Kate Forbes MSP (@_KateForbes) August 4, 2025
Dear John,
After careful thought over the summer recess, I have informed the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Constituency Association today that I intend to step down from the Scottish Parliament at the next election.
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, initially as Minister for Public Finance, then as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and more recently as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.
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. 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.
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.
Yours for Scotland, Kate Forbes MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
