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Alex Fergusson will not seek re-election Alex Fergusson will not seek re-election
(about 1 hour later)
Former presiding officer Alex Fergusson has announced he will not be seeking re-election to the Scottish Parliament next year.Former presiding officer Alex Fergusson has announced he will not be seeking re-election to the Scottish Parliament next year.
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP has been at Holyrood since 1999.The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP has been at Holyrood since 1999.
He was first elected as a south of Scotland MSP and has been returned as a constituency MSP in three elections after that.He was first elected as a south of Scotland MSP and has been returned as a constituency MSP in three elections after that.
He said he would "never forget the honour" of being presiding officer between 2007 and 2011.He said he would "never forget the honour" of being presiding officer between 2007 and 2011.
"Having served in the Scottish Parliament since its inception in 1999 I have decided to step down next year," he said. It has also been confirmed that fellow Tory, North East MSP Nanette Milne will also retire when this five-year parliament comes to end next May.
"Someone once said that a week is a long time in politics, but I have to say that the last 17 years have simply flown by. The former doctor said it had been an honour to serve her constituents for the last 12 years.
Mr Fergusson said that it was time for him to step down after serving in the Scottish Parliament since its inception in 1999.
He added: "Someone once said that a week is a long time in politics, but I have to say that the last 17 years have simply flown by.
"Representing this wonderful part of Scotland during the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and through its first 17 years is a role that I have loved, and I will miss it.""Representing this wonderful part of Scotland during the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and through its first 17 years is a role that I have loved, and I will miss it."
He said he would be 67 by the time of next year's election and it was "time to move on". Mr Fergusson said he would be 67 by the time of next year's election and it was "time to move on".
"Until parliament is dissolved at the end of March, I will continue to try to uphold the best interests of my constituents in Galloway and West Dumfries, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving me the honour of doing so," he added."Until parliament is dissolved at the end of March, I will continue to try to uphold the best interests of my constituents in Galloway and West Dumfries, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving me the honour of doing so," he added.