Moray MSP Richard Lochhead to step aside at 2026 Scottish Parliament Election
A Moray political stalwart has revealed he will not contest the next election, describing his years as MSP as an “absolute privilege”.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead announced he will not seek the SNP nomination for the seat at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
Mr Lochhead has been the constituency MSP for Moray for nearly 20 years, after first being elected to the seat in a 2006 by-election.
Originally from Paisley, the then-36-year-old politician held a stave from The Clavie during his Holyrood swearing-in.
However, he has represented the area since the birth of the Scottish Parliament after being elected as a North East regional MSP in 1999.
The politician, who has led campaigns on many local issues including parcel delivery charges, said standing aside would allow him to “pass on the torch”.
He added that he plans to “seek fresh challenges outwith frontline politics”.
“The SNP will soon be selecting our candidates for the next elections and after much reflection I’ve decided it’s time to pass on the torch, and to seek fresh challenges outwith frontline politics,” Mr Lochhead said.
“I have accordingly notified my local constituency association that I will not be seeking the nomination for 2026.
“When I joined the SNP as a school boy I could not have imagined that I would have the honour to represent such a wonderful constituency for so many years and to be elected to Parliament on seven consecutive occasions.
“Or that I would serve as a Minister under all four SNP First Ministers in a variety of roles since we came to office in 2007.
“Between now and the 2026 elections, I will endeavour to serve my constituents to the best of my ability and work hard as Business Minister in the Scottish Government.”
In May last year, the 55-year-old was rushed to hospital after falling ill at an event in Edinburgh.
Discovered to be sepsis, Mr Lochhead underwent a difficult six-week recovery after the illness left him struggling to walk and unable to speak.
However, since returning to work in June 2024, the politician has continued serving as both Moray MSP and Minister for Business.
Mr Lochhead returned to the Scottish Government in March 2023, after seven years on the backbenches, to serve as Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade under First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Between 2007 and 2016, he also served as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment.
