Joe FitzPatrick, SNP MSP for Dundee City West, announces he won’t seek re-election after nearly 20 years.
Dundee: Joe FitzPatrick, the SNP MSP for Dundee City West, is stepping down. He won’t run for re-election in 2026 after nearly 20 years in Holyrood.
FitzPatrick has served under three first ministers: Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, and Humza Yousaf. He was first elected in 2007.
He told The Courier it was a “tremendous honour” to represent Dundee. Now, he feels it’s the right time to move on.
FitzPatrick said he never expected to represent Dundee for four parliaments. After 19 years, he wants to give someone else a chance to run for the SNP.
He believes Scotland will become independent and looks forward to helping with that goal. He wants to use lessons from the SNP’s success in Dundee.
As a minister, he introduced a law for an opt-out organ donation system. He also lowered the voting age in Scotland to 16.
As Public Health Minister, he supported a supervised overdose prevention facility and started the Drugs Death Taskforce. He resigned in 2020 due to rising drug deaths.
In the last Holyrood election, FitzPatrick won over 60% of the votes, making it a strong SNP area.
First Minister John Swinney praised FitzPatrick for his role in the SNP’s success in Dundee. He highlighted FitzPatrick’s work in lowering the voting age.
Swinney expressed sadness over FitzPatrick’s decision to step down. He thanked him for his service to Dundee West and the SNP.
