Christine Jardine

Politics is ultimately about helping people.

I am dismayed with what I see and hear from a lot of politicians today.

There were opinions that emerged about my age and I found it quite sexist.

I didn't expect to have to make this decision, and it hurts.

It has been, and remains, an honour and a privilege to represent this part of the city, and to work with our fantastic communities.

I do not wish to expose anyone to more tension and division.

I have written to my local party to let them know I shall not be standing as the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh West at the next election, following the recent decision by some of the local party.

But I think that we can’t go on just saying, ‘Oh, it’s an emergency, let people out of prison’ – that’s dangerous.