Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart to step down from Holyrood

Liberal Democrat MSP Beatrice Wishart has taken the “difficult decision” not to stand in next year’s Holyrood election.

Ms Wishart became the first female parliamentarian elected to represent Shetland when she fought off a challenge from the SNP to win a Scottish Parliament by-election in 2019.

She held the seat in 2021, but said the May 2026 Holyrood election is the “appropriate time” for her to “step aside and let someone else carry the liberal torch for Shetland”.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton praised Ms Wishart as a “fantastic voice for Shetland and a wonderful colleague in the Scottish Parliament”.

After careful consideration, I think May 2026 is an appropriate time for me to step aside and let someone else carry the liberal torch for Shetland

He added: “During her by-election campaign, the SNP spent more money than they did on the entire European referendum campaign but they still could not stop her.

“She has fearlessly fought the islands’ corner and delivered for the community.

“The debate she led on the Government’s hated highly protected marine areas was crucial in forcing SNP ministers to change course over plans that could have devastated Shetland’s fisheries, while her speeches on the issue of pregnancy loss have always been powerful and moving.

“I will miss having her in our parliamentary party when she steps down next year and I wish her all the best for the future.”

Ms Wishart said it has been an “honour and a privilege” to represent the islands in Holyrood, as she vowed to “continue to work tirelessly for all constituents”.

She announced: “I have taken the difficult decision not to seek re-election for the Shetland constituency at the next Scottish Parliament election.

“After careful consideration, I think May 2026 is an appropriate time for me to step aside and let someone else carry the liberal torch for Shetland.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the people of Shetland and I shall always be grateful that I had the opportunity to do so.

“I am so proud to have been the first female parliamentarian elected to represent Shetland and to follow in the footsteps of Jo Grimond, Jim Wallace, Alistair Carmichael and Tavish Scott as the voice of the islands in Parliament.

“My team and I have worked hard to champion the issues that people have told me are most important to them, like ferries, fixed links, fisheries and the energy industry.”

She added she is also “proud” of the work she has done as convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on brain tumours, saying: “Vital research is being done in this area and I hope that by highlighting some of the successes as well as the remaining challenges, it offers hope to people who live with brain tumours.

“While I am choosing to step down as MSP next year, I feel as if I still have plenty in the tank so I am sure I will find a new role to play in Shetland life before long.”