Tributes paid as Falkirk West MSP prepares to leave Holyrood after 27 years

Michael Matheson has served the people of Falkirk West for the last 27 years and members of the grassroots SNP membership in the constituency joined senior party figures in thanking him for all his work over that time.

First Minister John Swinney led the tributes, and was joined by his deputy Kate Forbes with both sending video messages played at an event in Falkirk last weekend.

However, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon turned up in person to convey her thanks for his support to her as a cabinet minister, but also acknowledging his commitment to the constituency he represents.

She said that Mr Matheson was “a safe pair of hands” and had shown this in the varied portfolio roles he had taken on, before adding that it had been a “privilege” to work with him.

Former Falkirk Council leader David Alexander recalled being contacted by the budding politician ahead of the first Holyrood elections and invited him through to attend a selection meeting.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Tributes also came from Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn, depute leader Paul Garner and Councillor Gary Bouse, who is standing as the SNP candidate for Falkirk West in the May 7 Holyrood election.

There was also praise and thanks to Andrew MacLachlan, the MSP’s office manager, who has worked alongside the politician for almost three decades.

A qualified occupational therapist who was working in the NHS, Michael Matheson first foray into politics was when he contested the 1997 general election, standing for the newly created Hamilton North and Bellshill constituency but was unsuccessful.

Two years later he was the candidate in the first Scottish parliamentary election, contesting Falkirk West. The seat was won by veteran politician Dennis Canavan standing as an independent, however, Mr Matheson was elected on the SNP’s regional list for Central Scotland and this was replicated in the 2003 election.

Mr Canavan was also present last Friday to pay his tribute to the man who in 2007 succeeded him in Falkirk West after he made the decision to stand down.

The 2011 election saw Mr Matheson increase his majority by almost 5000 votes.

Then First Minister Alex Salmond appointed him as Minister for Public Health after the 2011 election, a position he held until November 2014 when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made him Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

In 2018, he was shifted to Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity which three years later became Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport.

His next ministerial role came under his third First Minister, Humza Yousaf, who appointed him Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.

In 2024 he stood down from his role as Health Minister following roaming charges incurred on a parliamentary iPad while on a family holiday.

Thanking all the party faithful for their support of him, Mr Matheson said it had been his privilege to represent the district in Holyrood for almost 30 years.