Angus Robertson, the SNP’s campaign director for the Holyrood election, has lost his Edinburgh Central seat to the Scottish Greens, marking his second electoral defeat in under a decade. Robertson, who previously served as the SNP’s Westminster leader and depute leader, lost his Moray seat in the 2017 general election to then Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross. He returned to elected politics in 2021 by winning Edinburgh Central, and was appointed constitution, external affairs and culture secretary by then first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
However, after boundary changes and a strong Green challenge, Robertson finished third in the constituency. His tenure was marred by controversies, including his handling of the 2022 census, which took place a year later in Scotland than in the rest of the UK and had a lower return rate of 89% compared to 97% in England and Wales. Opposition MSPs accused him of botching the census.
Robertson also faced backlash over a 2024 meeting with Israeli deputy ambassador Daniela Grudsky, after which he apologised, stating the talks should have been limited to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Then SNP MSP Christine Grahame called him a “liability” over the meeting. Additionally, he was criticised for budget cuts to Creative Scotland in 2023, reversing a previous commitment, and for a perceived lack of oversight of Historic Environment Scotland following a watchdog report citing “unacceptable weaknesses” in leadership.
