Kate Forbes Bows Out to Prioritize Family Life
So, big news from Scottish politics—Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister, has announced that she’s stepping down as an MSP at the next Holyrood election in May 2026. This move has caught a lot of attention, not just because of her prominent role, but because of the deeply personal reason behind her decision. Basically, she’s choosing to step back from politics to spend more time with her young daughter, who just turned three. And honestly, you can’t help but respect the clarity and sincerity in that choice.
Forbes, who represents Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch, has had a pretty rapid and impressive rise in Scottish politics. She was first elected back in 2016 and made headlines when she became Scotland’s first female finance secretary in 2020. Then, in 2023, she came incredibly close to leading the SNP, losing narrowly to Humza Yousaf. That campaign, though, was a bit turbulent—her views on issues like gay marriage and abortion sparked a lot of debate and criticism at the time.
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Still, she didn’t stay on the sidelines for long. After Yousaf stepped down, she returned to the frontbench in 2024, this time as John Swinney’s deputy. Her portfolio wasn’t just symbolic either—she’s been overseeing economic matters and also promoting the Gaelic language, both key areas for the government.
Now, in her letter to the First Minister, Forbes made it clear that she still supports Swinney fully and will continue to serve her constituents until the end of her term. But she’s also been very honest about the toll politics takes—long days away from home, constant demands, and the sheer level of commitment it requires. With a young child at home and a four-hour commute to Holyrood, she’s concluded that it’s just not a sustainable way to raise a family.
John Swinney responded with warmth and understanding, praising her contribution over the past decade and expressing gratitude that she’ll remain involved in the government for now. Even opposition figures like Labour’s Jackie Baillie acknowledged her talent—though not without slipping in a jab about the SNP’s current state.
It’s worth noting that Forbes is just one of over 20 SNP MSPs not seeking re-election next year, which could signal deeper shifts within the party. But whatever the broader political landscape looks like, Kate Forbes is stepping away on her own terms. She’s choosing family over ambition, and in today’s political world, that’s a rare and courageous decision.
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