Fergus Ewing’s decision not stand for the SNP reflects party’s ‘broken relationship with rural Scotland’ as Lib Dem Angus Macdonald says ‘for so many people across the Highlands, it feels like nothing works anymore’

The decision by veteran SNP MSP Fergus Ewing not to stand for the party while indicating he may run as an independent “is a reflection of their broken relationship with rural Scotland”.

The Inverness and Nairn MSP announced the decision via The Inverness Courier and other local media today, saying: “I simply cannot defend the record of the SNP Government”.

• Fergus Ewing to stand down as SNP MSP in 2026 as the Inverness and Nairn MSP leaves door open to run as an independent

• Fergus Ewing: ‘The SNP just is no longer the party for all of Scotland, as it has been for most of my 50 years as a member’

Responding to the news Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire Lib Dem MP Angus MacDonald who beat the SNP’s Drew Hendry at the general election believes it is part of wider malaise.

“Fergus Ewing’s decision to not represent the SNP next year is a reflection of their broken relationship with rural Scotland,” he said. “For so many people across the Highlands, it feels like nothing works anymore.

“Whether it’s glacial progress on the A9, fuel poverty, the housing crisis or dangerous journeys for maternity care, they have been let down time and again by this SNP government”.

“The Liberal Democrats are winning all over the Highlands. More and more people are switching to us because they see that we are focused on the issues that matter and they know that we are best placed to beat the SNP.”

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