Veteran Nat Ewing: 'SNP has lost its way and devolution is letting people down'

SNP had “deserted many of the people whose causes we used to champion”.

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He added: “I believe the SNP has lost its way and that devolution itself — presently — is letting Scotland’s people down. It doesn’t need to be this way.

“Holyrood is more fractious and tribal than ever before. Too much power rests unchecked in the hands of party leaders, free to choose candidates who will slavishly support them rather than stand up for the people who sent them to Holyrood. Choosing the pliant over the talented.”

He will go up against 27-year-old Emma Roddick — with the pair rumoured to not get on — in his constituency next year.

Mr Swinney was sorry to hear of his colleague’s decision, describing him as a “faithful servant”.

He added: “We have both served the SNP and the cause of independ-ence for many years, and I commend him for all that he achieved while serving in the SNP government until 2021.