The politician says she will step down after 27 years as an MSP, including more than eight as first minister of Scotland.

When she steps down at next year’s Scottish Parliament election, Nicola Sturgeon will have spent 27 years as an MSP and made history as the first woman to become Scotland’s first minister. She was also the longest-serving incumbent in that post – dealing with no fewer than five different Conservative prime ministers during her time in the job.

Scotland’s former leader Nicola Sturgeon has announced she would not seek re-election, ending a near 30-year career as one of the independence movement’s main figureheads.

The ex-SNP leader announced on Wednesday morning that she will stand down run from Scottish Parliament in 2026.

Nicola Sturgeon has said she will be with the SNP “every step of the way” towards independence, despite stepping down as an MSP which comes after she resigned as First Minister in 2023.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon steps back from PoliticsNicola Sturgeon chats with the media outside Dynamic Earth. After she has taken the decision to step back from politicsNicola Sturgeon has said she believes society will look back and "feel a sense of collective shame" at the vilification of trans people.