Lewis Macdonald to stand down as MSP after 22 years

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald has announced he is stepping down from parliament at the next election after 22 years in office.

First elected to represent Aberdeen Central in 1999, he is one of 18 MSPs who have served continuously since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened.

He lost his constituency seat in 2011 to Housing Minister Kevin Stewart but was re-elected to parliament as a list MSP for North East Scotland then and again in 2016.

Macdonald said: “It has been an honour to represent the North East as a Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament for over twenty years.

“The time has come for others to take on that role, but I will continue to be active in other ways after next year’s election.”

Macdonald held several ministerial roles in the Scottish Executive between 2001 and 2007, including as deputy minister for health.

In April 2020, he was elected as the parliament’s third deputy presiding officer, after Christine Grahame had to self-isolate during the COVID-19 lockdown.

His announcement follows fellow Labour MSP for the North East, Jenny Marra, confirming she would not be seeking re-election.

Elaine Smith and Ken Macintosh, two others elected as Labour MSPs continuously since 1999, have also announced they will be standing down.