Local Government Minister to stand down as MSP in 2016

Local Government and Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi has announced he will not seek re-election in 2016.

Biagi, who took on the ministerial role in November, has been MSP for Edinburgh Central since 2011.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Biagi confirmed he will not be standing in the Scottish Parliament elections next year. He told The Evening News he intends to pursue an academic career.

He said: “Nothing has given me greater honour than being elected by the people of this constituency to represent them, and also latterly being chosen by the First Minister to serve in her first government.

“Being in Holyrood has given me a chance to push the case of worthy causes, my constituency, and principles I’ve held all my life.

“I am pleased that in Edinburgh I have played a part in bringing the Green Investment Bank to the city, increasing cycling facilities, delivering action against party flats and I will continue to campaign for more much needed affordable housing in the city centre.

“And in my time as a Minister I will be pleased to see the Community Empowerment bill through parliament and to have co-chaired the Commission on Local Tax Reform.”

He said after working in Holyrood as a researcher and then an MSP for the past 10 years, he is “keen to return to my earlier ambitions outside parliamentary politics”.

Biagi previously studied at St Andrews, California-Berkeley, Oxford and Glasgow Universities.

“It will be my honour to serve the people of Edinburgh Central and the Scottish Government up to the last day, hour and minute of my term,” he said.