Fergus Ewing confirms he intends to stand again for Holyrood
Veteran local MSP Fergus Ewing has confirmed that he has submitted his papers and aims to run for Holyrood again in 2026 amid much speculation from political rivals both inside and outside the SNP.
Whether the Inverness and Nairn MSP would want to continue as an MSP has been one of the most frequently discussed questions in Highland politics in the last six months.
But he has confirmed that as a ‘mere whipper snapper’ he has submitted his papers to the SNP and he intends to enter the 2026 Holyrood election with the aim of retaining his seat which also includes Strathspey.
The formal selection process starts next year.
The will he-won’t he stand speculation on Mr Ewing has mounted in recent weeks and months given his rebel stance and opposition to a number of high profile policies particuarly under the previous SNP leadership.
This including a short party suspension.
“Well, I have certainly put in my papers so the intention is to stand again,” Mr Ewing said. “I would add that the age I will be at the election is the same age my mother was when she first became an MSP.
“So in that regard I am a mere whipper snapper but I do feel I am beginning to get the hang of the job now.”
The MSP has won a lot of praise in recent years after he took on his own party to task over major failures like the A9 dualling and on policies like the deposit return scheme, highly protected marine areas and the Bute House Agreement.
When he refused to follow the party whip and back then Greens coalition partner during a confidence vote in parliament he was suspended in February, earlier this year, for one week from the party – a development that captured his frustration with the SNP.
In a blistering statement issued after that sanction was handed down, he said: “It [The SNP] was never an ordinary political party because it was one which put Scotland first.
“In good conscience this is no longer the case and it has nothing to do with personalities or my antipathy towards the Green Party.
“I choose to defend my constituents and let the cards fall as they will.”
As Mr Ewing ‘gets the hang of the job’, the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is planning to do a Douglas Ross and represent two constituencies at once by trying to oust a sitting MSP and secure a seat in Holyrood as well as Westminster.
Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has already urged him to rethink his position drawing parallels with the former Scottish Conservative leader who crippled his own career when he replaced David Duguid in the General Election.
Ms Roddick said: “Party members set this rule for good reasons. Rightly, Douglas Ross was criticised for holding two roles simultaneously. I hope Stephen Flynn rethinks.
“Can't imagine spending half my time in London & being a good MSP. Key that rules apply to everyone equally; men and women.”
