Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has declared she will step down as an MSP at next year's election, stating from the "very depths" of her heart that she has no intention of returning to frontline politics.
A Decision from the Heart
The senior Scottish National Party figure announced her shock decision in the summer, sending ripples through the political establishment in Scotland. She confirmed she will not stand for re-election to Holyrood in May.
Ms Forbes pointed to the immense time pressures of balancing a demanding political career with a young family. The logistical challenges of travelling between her vast Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency in the north of Scotland and the parliament in Edinburgh were also a significant factor in her choice.
No Prize Big Enough
While not completely shutting the door on a future in politics, the Deputy First Minister was emphatic that, for now, not even the prospect of the top job in Scottish politics could lure her back.
"From the very depths of my heart, I have no intentions of coming back to politics," she told the BBC. "I can't promise you what I will be doing age 75, but I have no desire to return to frontline politics anytime soon."
She added with finality: "I don't think there is any prize that's big enough to change my mind."
The Turning Point: Family and the Holyrood Reality
Ms Forbes, who married Alasdair MacLennan in 2021 and became a stepmother to his three daughters, said her perspective shifted after returning to Holyrood from maternity leave following the birth of their daughter, Naomi.
"I went back to work post maternity leave. It has always felt impossible," she revealed. "Every day has felt like an exercise in logistical impossibilities, and we got through it."
The definitive decision to leave came after a family summer break. Ms Forbes described it as "like this epiphany – this bolt from the blue – that I didn't have to" continue with the immense daily pressure.
Her departure marks one of the most high-profile exits from Holyrood ahead of the next election. She is part of a group of departing MSPs that is disproportionately made up of women, raising questions about the parliament's support for parents.
Despite the Scottish Parliament's reputation for aiming to be family-friendly, Ms Forbes has been openly critical of the practical support offered to parents, notably highlighting a parliamentary creche that is only open for short periods and operates just three days a week.
