Former Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster deputy leader Mhairi Black has announced her departure from the party, citing deep concerns over its stance on trans rights and its handling of Palestine as key reasons for her decision. The 30-year-old, who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Paisley and Renfrewshire South from 2015 until 2024, made the announcement in an interview with The Herald newspaper on July 25, 2025.
Black, who first captured national attention when she was elected at just 20 years old—the youngest MP since 1832—explained that her departure was the culmination of long-standing disagreements with the SNP's direction. "Basically, for a long time, I’ve not agreed with quite a few decisions that have been made," she told The Herald. "There have just been too many times when I’ve thought, ‘I don’t agree with what you’ve done there’ or the decision or strategy that has been arrived at."
While she remains firmly committed to Scottish independence, Black expressed frustration with what she described as the party’s "capitulation on LGBT rights, trans rights in particular." She also criticized the party's approach to Palestine, stating, "I thought the party could be doing better about Palestine as well." Reflecting on her political evolution, Black said, "If anything, I’m probably a bit more left-wing than I have been. I don’t think I have changed all that much. I feel like the party needs to change a lot more."
Black’s political journey began in 2015, when she was elected as part of a sweeping SNP victory that saw the party capture 56 of Scotland’s 59 Westminster seats following the 2014 independence referendum. Her triumph over former Labour cabinet secretary Douglas Alexander in Paisley and Renfrewshire South was emblematic of the SNP's surge under then-leader Nicola Sturgeon.
During her tenure, Black became the SNP’s deputy leader in the House of Commons under Stephen Flynn’s leadership. However, she chose not to seek re-election in the 2024 general election, citing the "toxic environment" at Westminster as a significant factor in her decision to step down. She revealed that she was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during her time in Parliament, attributing the diagnosis to a period of "burn-out" amid the pressures of political life.
Throughout her career, Black has been an outspoken advocate for trans rights, publicly urging politicians to respect and protect transgender individuals. In 2023, she implored, "leave them [trans people] the hell alone," emphasizing that being trans is simply "an aspect of a human being, the same way being gay is just an aspect of who I am." She has also condemned anti-trans rhetoric, including criticism directed at Labour MP Rosie Duffield and author J.K. Rowling’s controversial statements, highlighting the abuse she has faced as a lesbian ally to the trans community.
Her departure comes in the wake of significant turmoil within the SNP over transgender rights. Under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership, the Scottish Government had proposed reforms to simplify the process of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), introducing a system of self-declaration and removing the requirement for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. These reforms faced fierce opposition and were ultimately blocked by the Conservative government at Westminster in 2023. Shortly afterward, Sturgeon resigned as SNP leader and First Minister, ending an influential eight-year tenure. The SNP-led Scottish Government has since dropped the proposed GRC reforms.
Black's critique also extends to the party's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. She has been vocal in pressuring UK ministers over alleged "war crimes" committed by Israel in Gaza, aligning herself with calls for stronger advocacy on behalf of Palestinians. This issue remains contentious within the SNP, with party leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney currently facing internal demands to confront US President Donald Trump over what some party members describe as "genocide and ethnic cleansing" during his visit to Scotland in late July 2025.
Responding to Black’s departure, Swinney expressed regret, telling the PA news agency, "I very much regret the decision that Mhairi Black has come to leave the Scottish National Party. I wish it wasn’t the case and I wish her well for all that lies ahead." He emphasized that under his leadership, the SNP remains committed to championing LGBT rights and using its international voice to press the UK Government for a more robust stance on Palestine.
"The SNP is a party that is addressing the core considerations and concerns of the people of Scotland, around the eradication of child poverty, around ensuring we succeed in our journey to net zero, that we are able to improve the performance of the National Health Service, and we address the cost of living challenge that people face in our society," Swinney said. "But we’re also a party with an international voice, pressuring the United Kingdom Government to be more robust on the steps its take to ensure that the interests of the people of Palestine are addressed and the suffering of the people of Palestine is brought to an end. We are a party under my leadership that will champion the rights of all within our society, and making sure that we have the strongest possible position on LGBTQ rights in Scotland."
An SNP spokesperson reiterated the party’s vision, stating, "The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland, united under John Swinney’s vision of creating a better, fairer Scotland for everyone. After a year of disappointment and let-downs from the UK Labour Government, it’s clear that real change will never come from Westminster and that independence is essential for a better future."
Looking ahead, Black has indicated she will continue to support causes aligned with her values, including organizations like the Good Law Project, which defends trans people’s legal rights in the UK. Her departure marks a significant moment for the SNP, highlighting ongoing tensions within the party over social justice issues and foreign policy, even as it remains the dominant political force in Scotland.
Black’s journey—from a trailblazing young MP to a vocal advocate for marginalized communities and a critic of her own party’s direction—underscores the complexities facing the SNP as it navigates internal divisions while pushing for Scottish independence. Her exit invites reflection on how the party balances progressive social policies with broader political goals in an increasingly polarized landscape.
