Former Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander has shocked her party by announcing she is quitting politics. The Paisley North MSP said she wants to spend more time with her family and will not stand at the upcoming Holyrood election.
Ms Alexander, who is the sister of the shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, told party leader Iain Gray she did not want to miss seeing her children grow up.
She said, “Many politicians have claimed they wish to spend more time with their family. In my own case it is quite simply true.
“It is, of course, a wrench to leave. At its best, politics is still a noble undertaking borne of high ideals. I may be leaving the front line, but you can be assured of my continuing support.”
Elected to the first Scottish Parliament, Ms Alexander made her name as communities minister, where she played a prominent role in the successful battle to repeal the Section 28 legislation barring the promotion of homosexuality in Scotland’s schools.
She took over from Jack McConnell as leader of Labour at Holyrood in 2007, following the party’s defeat to the SNP. She vowed to bring Labour back to power but stepped down following a row over donations to her leadership campaign.
During her short term as leader, Ms Alexander famously urged the SNP to “bring it on” and hold a snap independence referendum.
More recently, she was instrumental in setting up the Calman Commission to look at what changes could be made to Scottish devolution. She then convened the Scotland Bill Committee at Holyrood, which sparked controversy over the way some academics were treated.
Mr Gray said he accepted her decision “with considerable regret”.
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“Too often the pressures of being a parent, and far too often the duties of being a mother, come into conflict with the demands placed on a modern politician,” he said. “Your decision is one that I greatly respect and I know that respect is shared by all of your colleagues in the Labour Party.
“On behalf of our party, I thank you for your contribution to Labour and to Scotland. I know we will continue to work together to the betterment of both.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said the party would now start the process of finding a new candidate to stand for the Paisley seat.
First Minister Alex Salmond said, “I wish Wendy Alexander well for the future and recognise the substantial contribution she made to the Labour Party and the Scottish Parliament.”
MSPs from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Ms Alexander’s time as an MSP. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said, “Wendy has made a significant contribution to devolution.
“I worked with her as a minister and as a colleague in the Liberal Democrat/ Labour coalition. I appreciated her intellect, her energy and her commitment to Scotland.”
Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said her absence would leave Holyrood “poorer”.
“I won’t pretend that she and I have always seen eye to eye on every issue, but her enthusiasm, tenacity and intelligence are priceless assets,” she said.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said, “I am sure MSPs from across all parties will wish her well, and I am also sure we have not heard the last of her.”
Ms Alexander is married to Professor Brian Ashcroft and has two children.