Eighth SNP MP to stand down at UK general election as Dr Philippa Whitford confirms she is not seeking re-election

Dr Philippa Whitford has announced she is stepping down at next year’s UK general election, becoming the eighth SNP MP to confirm they are not seeking re-election

Another SNP MP has announced they are stepping down at next year’s general election, with Dr Philippa Whitford citing Boris Johnson’s “toxic legacy” as she confirmed she will not seek re-election.

The Central Ayrshire MP, who is a former NHS surgeon, was first elected to the seat in May 2015.

She becomes the eighth SNP MP to confirm they are stepping down at the 2024 election.

Central Ayrshire, Dr Philippa Whitford, speaks to the media outside the UK Supreme Court in November last year. Picture: Tolga Akmen/Shutterstock

In a statement explaining the decision, Dr Whitford said politics had “changed” over the past eight years and she questioned whether the toxic legacy left by Mr Johnson would be repaired.

She said: "It has been an honour to serve as the MP for the people of Central Ayrshire for the last eight years and to have been their choice in three elections.

"However, I will not be seeking re-election at the next Westminster election. At the time of that election, I will have been an MP for nine years and, including my time as an NHS surgeon, spent 42 years in working in public service.

"In particular, I look forward to spending more time with my husband, Hans, who is already retired and I want to thank him for the unconditional support he has given me since my election.

Dr Philippa Whitford

"I also want to thank all those who have worked as part of my MP team over the last eight years, particularly Heather and Isabel who have been with me from the very start. Their dedication and determination has helped me provide assistance and resolve issues for many individuals and businesses in my constituency.

"Working as an MP at Westminster has changed over the last eight years, especially after Boris Johnson became prime minister, and aggression and contempt towards SNP MPs, and indeed Scotland, became the norm.

"While he has gone, his toxic legacy remains and only time will tell if this changes after the next election."

Dr Whitford joins former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and group deputy Mhairi Black among the party’s MPs stepping down at the next election. MPs Peter Grant, Douglas Chapman, Angela Crawley, Stewart Hosie and John McNally will also stand down from SNP ranks.

Dr Whitford was re-elected in both 2017 and 2019, and has served as SNP spokesperson for Scotland since December last year. She had worked as a consultant breast surgeon at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock for more than 18 years before becoming a politician.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn told the BBC: “People will put their faith in the SNP.

“Yes some of my colleagues are stepping down, but some of them have been there for decades serving the Scottish people – they are entitled to step down.

“I think everyone is aware of Mhairi Black’s struggles with the toxic nature of Westminster, she has stated the reasons she is going.

“But that should spark a wider conversation on why the youngest politician for the best part of 300 years is walking away from Westminster.”