Shetland MSP Tavish Scott to stand down from Scottish Parliament

Tavish Scott - Image credit: Scottish Parliament

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott is to stand down from the Scottish Parliament in July after 20 years of service.

The Liberal Democrat MSP has been appointed as head of external affairs at Scottish Rugby and will take up his new position in August.

Scott was elected as Shetland’s first MSP when the Scottish Parliament opened in 1999 and has represented the constituency ever since.

Before that he served as a councillor for Lerwick Harbour and Bressay on Shetland Islands Council from 1994 to 1999.

Currently the party’s education spokesperson, Scott was leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 2008 to 2011 and served in the Labour-Lib Dem coalition government as deputy minister for finance and public services and minister for transport and telecommunications.

He is also a member of Holyrood’s advisory panel of MSPs and a judge for the Holyrood Garden Party and Awards.

Scott said: “Representing the people of Shetland has been my life for 20 years.

“It has been an enormous privilege and honour to have been Shetland’s MSP since the Scottish Parliament opened in 1999.

“I want to thank people the length and breadth of the islands for their support over the years.

“The bread and butter of representing people is helping solve problems and making their case to government, organisations and businesses.

“I have always enjoyed the challenge of serving Shetland and it is the part of the job that I will, without doubt, miss the most.

“There have been many highlights, wonderful moments and intense political drama that I would not have missed for anything.

“I leave the Liberal Democrats at an exciting time in the party’s development.

“There have been excellent recent results in the recent European elections, improved poll ratings and there is genuine optimism about the future for the party.

“So on this, the 20th anniversary week of the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament, it is the right time for me to change direction.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Scottish Rugby at this incredibly exciting time for the sport in Scotland and across the world.  

“To have the opportunity to work for Scottish Rugby is a huge challenge and one that I cannot wait to begin.

“I will miss the cut and thrust of politics and the people I have met and represented for 20 years, but there can be no better new beginning than working for Scottish Rugby.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “Tavish Scott has been a loyal servant of the Liberal Democrats and the people of Shetland as a parliamentarian, minister and leader.

“From the day the Scottish Parliament was re-established he has put the people of his constituency first and campaigned fiercely on their behalf.

“As a huge sports fan, this is an enormous opportunity for him.

“I will miss having him beside me in parliament but wish him all the best in his new role.”