Hostile environment' drives many of SNP's female MSPs to stand down before election

Holyrood is becoming a "hostile environment for women" and a significant number of female Scottish National party MSPs are stepping down before the May 2026 elections citing lack of support from the party, tolerance of bullying, and abuse in the chamber and online.

- Libby Brooks Severin Carrell

Almost four years on from the election of a record number of 58 female MSPs across all parties, 14 SNP women have said they will not stand again, accounting for 23% of the party's MSP group.

While some departures were expected, such as the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, other exits raise questions about why women with seemingly promising careers are choosing to step away.

Michelle Thomson, who is standing down as MSP for Falkirk East, having previously served at Westminster, told the Guardian: "Politics is very misogynist, and I don't think the SNP can be complacent about its internal mechanisms, which mean that examples of inappropriate male behaviour - including bullying and sexual harassment - are not tackled."

Elena Whitham, an SNP former minister and another MSP not seeking re-election, said: "It's not just about barriers to entry but to staying in politics. Neither party nor parliament are able to effectively support women when they encounter difficulties, and that's why we are losing far too many talented women."