James Dornan to stand down as MSP at 2021 election

SNP MSP James Dornan has announced he will stand down as an MSP at the next election in 2021.

Dornan has represented Glasgow Cathcart since 2011 and is currently the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee.

He has also been convener of the Education Committee and SNP deputy whip.

Prior to becoming an MSP, Dornan was the SNP group leader on Glasgow City Council.

Dornan is particularly known for his work on sectarianism, something he has received a great deal of abuse for.

He convened a cross-party group on tackling sectarianism and has called for the introduction of strict liability in football, where clubs would be sanctioned for sectarian behaviour by their fans.

He dropped a bid to become depute leader of the SNP in 2018 to focus on the problem.

However, in January Dornan said he was giving up his work on sectarianism and standing down as convener of the cross-party group over a lack of will to make changes from fellow politicians, who he said were “too scared” to get involved.

Announcing his decision to stand down as an MSP, Doran told The National: “After many months of consideration, I have decided not to stand in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as the MSP for my home constituency of Glasgow Cathcart – representing the area I grew up in and where I continue to live.

“It has been an immense pleasure and a joy to stand up for and help the great people of the constituency for the past nine years, but I think next year is the right time for me to move on.”

He added: “I am looking forward to having more time to spend with my partner, catch up with my family and do some of the things I’ve been putting off over the years whilst campaigning for Scottish independence as an elected representative.”