Joe Fagan has resigned as leader of South Lanarkshire Council following his election as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Rutherglen constituency. His resignation was effective as of May 15, 2026, according to official council records.
Fagan, a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), was elected to the Scottish Parliament in the May 2026 election. He had served as council leader since 2022, overseeing local government in the South Lanarkshire area.
The council is now expected to elect a new leader in the coming weeks. Fagan's departure marks a transition as he takes on his new role in Holyrood, representing the Rutherglen constituency.
