Bruce Crawford to step down at 2021 Scottish election

The MSP for Stirling, aged 65, said that he wants to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren

The SNP MSP Bruce Crawford has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in the Scottish Parliament election in 2021.

The MSP for Stirling, aged 65, said that he wants to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.

Crawford is currently the chair of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee and convener of the SNP group at Holyrood.

He has been an MSP since 1999, first as a list member for the Mid-Scotland region before being elected for the Stirling constituency in 2007.

Between 2011-12 he was the cabinet secretary for parliamentary business and government strategy.

Previously, he was a councillor for Perth and Kinross council from 1988 to 1999.

Crawford said: “While I am still enjoying being an MSP my wife has already retired and we have three wonderful young grandchildren for whom we want to create much more space in our lives.

“It has been an honour and privilege to serve as the MSP for the Stirling constituency as well as to have the opportunity to be a cabinet secretary, a committee convener, the SNP business convener and a Council Leader all over the last 33 politically packed years.

“In the Stirling constituency, it has been particularly great to see so much done during my time as the local MSP from a brand new college campus and new schools to a state of the art community hospital and other very modern local medical facilities.

“At Holyrood, being part of the first ever SNP government and helping to ensure stability for a minority government was challenging but very rewarding. Latterly, I have also enjoyed being the convener of the finance and constitution committee and the SNP group convener.”

“I will miss working with, and for, so many people in the Stirling constituency.  I will of course continue as an MSP for more than another year and during that time, I hope to say a personal thank you to the many people who have been part of my life over the years in both the Constituency and at Holyrood.

“With the opinion polls now in our favour I believe Scottish independence is inevitable – and it’s coming soon. And when that bright day dawns I look forward to watching my grandchildren grow and prosper in our independent future.”

MPs and MSPs responded to Crawford’s announcement with tributes to his career.

The Scottish Conservatives’ MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Despite our political differences, it has been a pleasure to work with Bruce Crawford over the years - a fine example of a decent, principled public servant, a capable Minister and a fair and astute committee convenor. Will be a loss to the Scottish Parliament.”

SNP MP Stewart McDonald said: “The term statesman is often over used, but it’s no exaggeration to say that it should be reserved for people like Bruce Crawford. He has served our party with the greatest distinction and it’s in no small way down to him that our first term in government succeeded. Thank you.”

The SNP leader at Westminster said: “Bruce will be very much missed, he has achieved so much in his time as a politician. As a colleague and a friend it has been a pleasure to work with him. There is no finer example of a politician who has worked tirelessly for his constituents and the cause of independence.”