Overview

• Ewing has announced his independent candidacy for the Inverness and Nairn seat in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, where he will face the SNP’s nominee Emma Roddick.
• He cited the SNP’s failure to deliver on longstanding dualling promises for the A9 and A96 Highland roads as central to his decision.
• His departure caps years of policy conflicts, notably over the SNP’s agreement with the Scottish Greens, oil and gas strategies and gender recognition reform.
• First Minister John Swinney voiced “real sadness and deep regret” at Ewing’s exit and maintained that the party remains ahead in polls with growing support for independence.
• The split marks a serious test for SNP leader John Swinney’s bid to maintain unity and could alter the pro-independence vote dynamics in the Highlands.