Robertson says it helps to have a thick skin in politics

May 6, 2026 7:47 pm

177

Angus Robertson has been in politics for a long time.

Previously the Westminster SNP leader, he then had a break after losing his Moray seat to Douglas Ross, and was elected to The Scottish Parliament in 2021, becoming a Cabinet Minister. He has served as the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, first appointed by then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

Now he is fighting to win the constituency he says he is so proud to represent, and he said that representing central Edinburgh has been advantageous to his ministerial portfolio.

He is keen to highlight the SNP manifesto pledge of increased funding for culture. He said: “It’s been a real advantage to my position in central Edinburgh, I think, for me to be in government, to have a seat at the top table, be part of the decision making, having responsibility, amongst other things, for the culture and arts sector.

“These are so important to Edinburgh as a whole, the world’s capital city of festivals, and we have seen the biggest increase in culture funding outside Covid ever.

“I’m proud to have been part of delivering that. And the SNP is committed to increasing beyond the £100 million annual uplift by £50 million. It’s going to make a huge difference.

“We’ve already signalled that we’re very keen to support our national performing companies, which have a significant footprint in Edinburgh. We have a record number of multi year funded organisations in the city, and I look forward to the culture and art scene drawing from strength to strength.”

He said that his constituency office has dealt with more than 7,000 cases, but despite all of this good news he has been criticised, for example, being called Air Miles Angus.

He said: “You need a thick skin in politics, because people will always carp from the sidelines.

“And I’ve served as Scotland’s minister for External Affairs, so it’s been my job. It has literally been my job, to promote Scotland internationally.

“I’m proud of having done that, sitting almost exclusively in the economy seats, if I’ve had to go further afield. If I’m able to continue promoting Scotland, investment, business, trade, culture, we need that to happen. Every other country in the world does it.

“Scotland has a tremendous reputation around the world. Another thing that I’ve been proud to have responsibility for in The Scottish Government is Brand Scotland and how we promote ourselves internationally.

“There’s so much more we can do. If people want to be narrow minded and don’t want to promote Scotland internationally. I’ll leave that up to them.

“I’m proud of the fact that we have been promoting Scotland around the world, and if I’m able to do that by being re elected, I look forward to continuing doing that, but not least because Edinburgh, Edinburgh, central of all places is an absolute hub for business, is an absolute hub for tourism, is an absolute hub for Scotland’s economy.”

Mr Robertson said that his revelation during this campaign has been the Voi electric bikes which he has been using to get around. He said it “has been spectacular” to be able to cycle from one bit of central Edinburgh to the next on the bikes.

He was also keen to talk about the “huge investment” the Scottish Government will make in the new Eye Pavilion which is to be located at Little France, and the other initiatives such as the GP Walk-in surgeries.

He said: “We know that supporting public services like the NHS, together with the cost of living, are the biggest issue for voters in Edinburgh Central and right across Scotland. That’s why I’m pleased to be standing on the SNP’s record, but also a manifesto to deliver the likes of a replacement to the Eye Pavilion and which supports the NHS.”

Angus Robertson is standing in Edinburgh Central. The candidates for the constituency include: