The politician says she will step down after 27 years as an MSP, including more than eight as first minister of Scotland.

When she steps down at next year’s Scottish Parliament election, Nicola Sturgeon will have spent 27 years as an MSP and made history as the first woman to become Scotland’s first minister. She was also the longest-serving incumbent in that post – dealing with no fewer than five different Conservative prime ministers during her time in the job.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon will not seek re-election next year. The ex-SNP leader announced on Wednesday morning that she will stand down from Holyrood in 2026. Sturgeon said that “in her heart”, she knew it the “time was right to open a new chapter” in her life.