Communities minister Aileen Campbell to quit Holyrood to spend more time with sons

Scotland’s communities minister Aileen Campbell has announced that she is to quit Holyrood, over a struggle to balance the role with family life.

Aileen Campbell is to stand down as communities minister

Ms Campbell, who has two sons, admits the job has been “demanding in terms of pressure and time” as she revealed her plans to stand down at next year’s Holyrood election.

She is the second senior female MSP to stand quit Holyrood amid concerns over the impact on their family life after Highland MSP Gail Ross said she would be quitting because of the toll it was taking on her personal life.

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 frontline 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.”

Ms Campbell joined the SNP almost 25 years ago.

“There have been big changes in the party and movement I signed up to as a shy 15-year-old,” she added.

She became an MSP in 2007 when the SNP won its historic first victory in a Scottish Parliament election.