Holyrood Minister to quit for better work-life balance
Last updated 8th Mar 2020
Communities and Local Government Secretary Aileen Campbell has announced she is going to quit the Scottish Parliament in 2021 so she can spend more time with her family.
In a statement, the Clydesdale MSP - who is the seventh SNP MSP to announce plans to step down - said her support for the party and for the cause of Scottish independence "is as strong as ever'', but changes in her personal life since her election in 2007 have led to her decision.
Ms Campbell said: "I have got married and have been blessed with two beautiful boys, who are growing up fast. Indeed, in 2014 I became the first Scottish minister to take maternity leave.
"My husband and I are very fortunate - we have managed to find ways for me to do my job and have a family at the same time, with Fraser taking on most of the day-to-day parenting.
"But there is no getting away from the fact that the job - while immensely rewarding - is demanding in terms of pressure and time. I hope in future I can spend a little more time with my boys at home.
"So after much consideration, now feels like a good time to prepare myself for taking a step back from front-line party politics and Government.
"Once I stand down, I look forward to new challenges and, I hope, a better work-life balance. But until then, I will continue to work tirelessly for my constituents, and I will be pleased to continue serving in the Cabinet for as long as the First Minister wants me to.
"My support for the SNP and independence is as strong as ever - and I look forward to continuing to campaign for Scotland to secure its independence in the not-too-distant future.''
First elected to represent the South Scotland region, Ms Campbell won the Clydesdale constituency from Labour's Karen Gillon in 2011.
She has served in four ministerial roles, including minister for planning, children and young people, and health and sport - as well as her current role.
Ms Campbell becomes the seventh SNP MSP to announce plans to step down following a party edict for parliamentarians to state their intentions ahead of next year's election.
She also becomes the second minister to do so - alongside Scottish Brexit Secretary Mike Russell.
Gail Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, also announced plans to step down due to wishes to spend more time with her family - which she claimed had been made difficult due to her political commitments.