MSP steps down after 17 years

After 17 years in the job, including a stint as the parliament’s presiding officer, he is hanging up his hat.
Mr Fergusson said: “Having served in the Scottish Parliament since its inception in 1999 I have decided to step down next year. 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.
“I feel incredibly privileged to have been elected as a South of Scotland MSP in 1999, and then to have been returned as the constituency MSP in the three elections since, and I will never forget the honour of being elected by my fellow MSPs to the position of the Parliament’s Presiding Officer in 2007.”
He says he has ‘loved’ representing the region and will miss his role, but added: “I will be 67 when next year’s election takes place, and it is time for me 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 and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving me the honour of doing so.”