Scottish Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said she will not seek re-election to the Scottish Parliament at the vote due in May 2026. In a letter released 4 August, the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP cited the demands of ministerial office and a wish to spend more time with her young family as the reasons for her decision. Forbes, 34, was first elected in 2016 and became Scotland’s first female finance secretary in 2020. She narrowly lost the 2023 SNP leadership contest to Humza Yousaf and was appointed deputy leader when John Swinney succeeded Yousaf earlier this year. Forbes said she remains supportive of Swinney and will continue in her government roles until the end of the current term.