Tory MSP Edward Mountain to step down ahead of Holyrood election

Scottish Tory MSP Edward Mountain has announced he will step down ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.

In his letter to party leader Russell Findlay, he said the Scottish Parliament had become a place where “good ideas are discounted and shelved by those more interested in promoting the political differences and arguments for independence”.

The Highlands and Islands MSP added that he did not like some of the changes made to his party since he joined in the 1970s, although he did not say what they were.

He said he has also been “saddened” by the behaviour of politicians across political parties, who have given “conviction politicians” a bad name and left him feeling “cold”.

Mountain, a veteran and former farmer, was elected to the Highlands and Islands region in 2016.

His announcement comes a day after long-standing Tory MSP Liz Smith announced she would not seek re-election.

In a letter to Scottish Tory leader Mr Findlay, Mr Mountain said it had been a “true honour” and a “huge privilege” to serve his constituents for nine years.

He went on: “There have been many challenges and I have done my best to remain true to my beliefs and political values.

“Sadly, in this Parliament, I have found that all too often many good ideas are discounted and shelved by those more interested in promoting the political differences and arguments for independence.

“The result is that I constantly see good ideas that could and would benefit Scotland being thwarted.

“This is not only self-serving but also holding Scotland back.

“The worst of it is that it does little to help the many people that look to the Parliament to make the real changes that would make their lives better.

“In 1979, when I started campaigning for the Conservatives, it was for a very different party to the one we are in today.

“I have welcomed many of the changes, but not all of them.

“I also have been saddened by the behaviour of some politicians from across all parties.

“They have left me, and I suspect much of the electorate, cold and have given politics and conviction politicians a bad name.”

Mountain said he was keen to spend more time with his family, who he said had often “played second fiddle to my aspirations as I focused on doing my best to live up to the trust that had been placed in me”.

He added: “My term in the Parliament has been a true honour. I will forever cherish this time as indeed will I the friendships I have made across all the parties.

“I remember being told that it is right politicians disagree but that of course it should never be personal, something I truly believe.

“Finally, I would like to thank all those people who voted for me as well as those who came to me for help, for their confidence that I could make a difference.

“You and they may be assured that I will continue to serve them faithfully until the next election.”