Angus MSP Andrew Welsh is to stand down as MSP for Angus at next year’s Scottish Parliament Election after 36 years in politics.

Mr Welsh, who is 66 years old, announced his retirement to delegates at the Angus South SNP Constituency Meeting in Tealing (8 June 2010).

First elected to Westminster in October 1974 as one of the SNP Group of 11 MPs, Andrew Welsh has an outstanding record of success in local and central Government as well as holding a range of National Elected Offices in the SNP which he joined in Glasgow in 1960.

Mr Welsh served a total of 19 years in Westminster before being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 where he has served for 11 years, firstly convening the Audit Committee and currently as Convener of the Finance Committee. He was a Member of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body during the first years of the Parliament when it was tasked with setting up the various systems within the Parliament.

Andrew also served as Provost of Angus from 1984 to 1987 during the first SNP Administration.

Since first being elected on 10 October 1974 Andrew’s focus has always been on creating a prosperous future for Angus and Scotland with the promotion of employment and education opportunities for all Angus citizens.

Announcing his retirement at the May 2011 election Mr Welsh stated that "whether building the essential A92 dual carriageway, saving GlaxoSmithKline from closure, the massive investment in both the Scottish Crop Research Institute and the recent £3.2million investment in Montrose Harbour the economic wellbeing and success of Angus have always been at the forefront of my work as the elected representative of Angus".

"I thank the people of Angus and the SNP workers who have allowed me to represent them and build a strong foundation for the future of our communities".

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“Andrew Welsh has been a champion for his beloved Angus constituency and for Scotland for almost 40 years, and most recently a highly effective Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee.  Andrew’s career as an SNP parliamentarian spans the period of the party’s greatest success, and he has always played a vital role in linking our national ambitions for Scotland with diligent, effective and selfless local representation.  Andrew will be much missed from Holyrood, and I wish him and Sheena all the very best for a long and happy retirement from parliamentary politics.”

Andrew Welsh joins Dr Ian McKee, Professor Christopher Harvie and Alasdair Morgan MSP in announcing their retirement from Holyrood at the 2011 electin.