Kate Forbes to Step Down as MSP After 2026 Elections
Kate Forbes, who’s been representing Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch at Holyrood since 2016, shared that she plans to step down as Member of the Scottish Parliament when her current term wraps up in 2026. As the current Deputy First Minister, Forbes is one of the top officials in Scottish politics. Her decision landed quietly during the parliamentary recess, but it’s sparked plenty of discussion about work-life balance in high-pressure political roles.
Forbes, now holding the Deputy First Minister position under John Swinney since May 2024, has been clear about her reasons: time with family. She admitted, in a candid letter to Swinney, that the job pulls her away from home for long stretches, and that she doesn’t want to miss the early years of her child's life. “Long days far from home and constant attention – that’s the cost,” she said. And for Forbes, the cost is too high when it comes to family moments she won’t get back.
A Decade of Service and a Focus on the Personal
It’s rare for a senior minister in any government to talk so openly about the overwhelming demands of the job. For Forbes, that honesty has defined her career, whether in the Cabinet as Finance Secretary where she handled pandemic-era budgets, or more recently as Deputy First Minister. Her departure will mark the end of a decade-long run in Scottish politics, an era during which she’s influenced economic policy and carried the SNP flag through tough political times.
She told constituents and colleagues alike that her time as an MSP and minister has been “an incredible privilege.” Even so, she’s eager to hand over the reins, emphasizing she’ll “always fight for the Highlands and Islands,” just in a different way. Forbes says she’ll stick to her duties and represent her area until May 2026, promising not to coast through her final months in government.
John Swinney didn’t hold back in praising Forbes, calling her contribution “invaluable” and saying she’s been a “key player” over the past decade. Party insiders are already speculating on who might step forward to fill her shoes, with her consistency, experience, and local roots tough to replace, especially in a climate where politics feels more demanding than ever.
For now, locals in Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch have two more years with an MSP who made no secret about her priorities. For many, her move shows that even at the highest levels, family comes first, and sometimes the bravest move is stepping away when you’re at the top.
