As many of you will know, I have resigned from the Scottish National Party due to its change of policy in relation to NATO membership post-independence. I will continue to sit in the Scottish Parliament as an independent MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
I would like to make it clear that I remain fully committed to securing a Yes vote in the independence referendum in 2014, and that I will continue to support the Scottish Government on most issues.
For the time being, I will continue to be a member of both the Finance Committee and the Equal Opportunities Committee, and will maintain my involvement in a number of cross-party working groups within the Parliament, including the Crofting Cross-Party Group of which I am Deputy Convener.
I would like to thank those who have been in touch to offer their support and advice, particularly those from the Highlands and Islands who I have been so proud to represent since May 2011 and anticipate serving as one of their MSPs for the rest of this parliamentary term.
I look forward to hearing from many more people across the region in the months and years to come and to working with them to make Scotland a fairer, more prosperous and more peaceful nation.
Jean Urquhart
Jean Urquhart 
“for the rest of this parliamentary term”? And after, hopefully!
Shocked by a somewhat self indulgent turn of events. Like any issue with SNP policy could not have waited until the referendum. Not brave, selfish. You know independence is not just about the SNP but given the need for a strong coherent party to lead the charge to a once in a lifetime chance for independence, you have just contributed needlessly to the destruction of any strong start the campaign could have. Have you holed it below the waterline before it has had the chance to begin? Quite possibly. Principled? Sometimes principles are a selfish self indulgence of the self obsessed. I just can get over the disappointed that you can’t see the bigger picture. It’s so naiive.
I’m not a member of the SNP but I do take issue with MPs and MSPs who think they can leave the party they were elected with and disregard the electorial wishes of their constituents who elected you only the basis of part affiliation.
Now I don’t mean to come across as self righteous and nasty, I just Wanted to express my utter dismay at this turn of events and express my horror and fear that you may have killed off my hopes of independence for Scotland. We wont get this chance again. A strong party is so required and I just can’t believe what you have done.
Well you are certainly coming over as self righteous and nasty Ian.
Jean’s self sacrifice and principled stance is something we rarely find in politicians and it should be loudly applauded and cherished.
Ian is quite right though Jeanette! No MSP elected as part of the list has any moral right to remain an MSP after resigning from the SNP in this fashion. The decision was self indulgent and gives comfort to the opponents of independence and the forces of reaction. If Jean Urquhart had ANY integrity, she would stand down forthwith, and allow those who elected her to be represented by someone with some integrity.