PENTLANDS MSP Gordon Macdonald has announced that he is to step down at the next Holyrood elections.
The SNP MSP told constituents:
‘It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency over the last fourteen years. The Boundary Commission has decided to retire the name of the constituency in May 2026; this will coincide with reaching my own retirement age which I believe is the right time for me to step down from the Scottish Parliament at the forthcoming election.
I have during my time in office tried to serve you diligently and I am deeply thankful for the trust and support you have extended to me over the years.
Since my election in 2011, I have strived to be a voice for our community, working on issues ranging from the need for local affordable housing to national policy that affects our daily lives.
Whether it was advocating for local retail businesses, pushing for better health services, or ensuring our education system serves every child, I have sought to represent the spirit and needs of Edinburgh Pentlands with integrity and passion.
I want to express my thanks to my office team and party activists, past and present, who have been tireless in their support, and to all the residents, community groups, and stakeholders I have had the pleasure of working with. Your engagement has been the cornerstone of my work here.
As I prepare to leave this role, I commit to using my remaining time to ensure a smooth transition and to continue addressing the issues that matter to us all.
I have worked tirelessly for 50 years to achieve independence and will continue to campaign for Scotland to join the family of nations. The members of my local branch have been informed of my decision.
Thank you, once again, for the privilege of serving as your MSP.
GORDON MACDONALD MSP
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