SCOTLAND’S Health Secretary has announced she will be standing down at next year’s Holyrood elections.
Jeane Freeman, who has represented Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley since 2016, made the announcement at her constituency association this evening.
In a statement, she said: "After very careful thought I have decided not to stand for re-selection in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
"It has been a real privilege and pleasure to represent the Ayrshire I grew up in and which in so many ways, made me who I am today.”
The former National columnist said she would be 72 by the end of the next Parliamentary term. She added: “While I have a great deal of energy left and more I want to do, I think it is the right time for me to stand aside and let another take forward the work as an MSP for this constituency.
READ MORE: World's first case of Covid-19 re-infection confirmed in Hong Kong
"Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley is a beautiful part of our country and it is full of talented, enterprising and hard working people.
“It will be an honour for whoever wins the constituency seat, as it has been for me.”
Freeman is the 12th SNP MSP to announce that they won't be seeking re-election.
Her decision not to stand means a third of Nicola Sturgeon's cabinet won't be back in May
Freeman, a former special adviser to Labour First Minister Jack McConnell, was a founding member of Women For Independence, and was an active Yes campaigner during the 2014 referendum.
Fellow SNP MSP Gillian Martin paid tribute to the Health Secretary: "Not many people can claim to have achieved as much in one term as Jeane Freeman.
"My friend, my sister - another Titan of the movement.
"She might not be standing for election but her presence will still be huge as we go forward to an independent Scotland."
Martin was joined by SNP Dumbarton hopeful Toni Giugliano, who wrote: "A huge loss to the @theSNP group.
"It was a pleasure to campaign with you during the referendum years, @JeaneF1MSP.
"I’ve no doubt you’ll play a leading role in our next one too."
Not many people can claim to have achieved as much in one term as Jeane Freeman. My friend, my sister- another Titan of the movement. She might not be standing for election but her presence will still be huge as we go forward to an independent Scotland https://t.co/UBWVjarEhd
— Gillian Martin (@GillianMSP) August 24, 2020
SNP MP Stewart McDonald added: "Sorry to hear that @JeaneF1MSP is standing down.
"Jeane did incredible work establishing Scotland’s first social security system and has given real leadership throughout the coronavirus pandemic as health secretary.
"I’m sure she still has a big role in Scotland’s future."
Freeman also looked to the future, as she went on: "I remain even firmer in my conviction that the right future for the people of this constituency and of Scotland is one where we have all the democratic and decision-making powers of a normal country.
"Securing independence by securing the right of people in Scotland to choose their own future will allow us to build on the progressive work of the SNP government since 2007 and fulfil the potential of this place and this country to build the prosperous, inclusive and progressive future we want for all of us and for future generations."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel