THE SNP Group on The City of Edinburgh Council will have a new leader from next week, Simita Kumar was elected as the MSP for Edinburgh South Western last week.
Kumar, who has been described as a “rising star” of the party, is expected to retain her seat on the council until next year’s council elections, but give up her place as the SNP’s top councillor.
Kumar, who was born and raised in Fiji and moved to Scotland as a teenager, became a councillor four years ago after a career in health and the public sector, and was elected SNP Group leader after just two years on the job.
She comfortably retained Edinburgh South Western for the SNP over Labour’s Catriona Munro.
Simita Kumar outside parliament on her first day as an MSP on Monday © 2026 Martin McAdam
During an interview at the start of the month, she said it has been a pleasure to lead Edinburgh’s SNP Group. Her group sits in opposition to the Labour administration, despite being the largest group in the City Chambers.
She outlined achievements like allocation of funds to housing through the visitor levy and holiday hubs as examples of the positive work the group has achieved.
She added: “There’s lots of things we’ve been able to push despite being in opposition, so I’m really proud of our record.
“But yes, it’s, like I said, it’s been a journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for my council colleagues.
“We really are, a family almost. It feels a very nice space to be and where we can come in and actually discuss our different ideas and have a constructive discussion and debate, which I think should be the obvious thing, but I don’t think that’s perhaps universal across all political parties.”
She also expressed confidence in her ability to adapt to Holyrood, having quickly learned the ropes of politics “on the job” in the City Chambers.
She informed councillors of her intention to stand down at an AGM on Tuesday and confirmed the news to the press today.
The SNP Group will announce their new leader after another meeting next week.
Simita Kumar at the election count at Ingliston after winning the Edinburgh Southwestern seat PHOTO © The Edinburgh Reporter
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