Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have endorsed SELECT’s push for statutory regulation of Scotland’s electrical sector, joining 13 MSPs who added their names to the trade body’s Wall of Support and lifting total political backers to 57.

The pair have thrown their weight behind SELECT's long-running campaign to introduce protection of title for the profession of electrician. They are among the latest signatories to the association's online Wall of Support, alongside former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and former Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard.

With these new endorsements, 57 MSPs now publicly support creating legal protection of the title 'electrician'. SELECT says the breadth of cross-party backing underlines strong momentum at Holyrood for action to improve safety standards and tackle unqualified work.

Sharon Miller, SELECT Managing Director Designate, said: "Securing the support of two former First Ministers, along with more senior MSPs from all parties, sends an unmistakable message: Scotland understands the urgent need to regulate the electrical profession.

"Electricians play an essential role in keeping our homes, businesses and communities safe, yet the title remains unprotected. Anyone can claim to be an electrician despite having no qualifications, creating unacceptable risks for the public.

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"With the Wall of Support now standing at 57 MSPs, the momentum for change has never been stronger. This growing coalition demonstrates that protection of title is firmly on the political agenda and that there is widespread recognition of the dangers posed by unqualified electrical work."

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Yousaf signed the Wall of Support during a two-day SELECT regulation exhibition at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 3 and 4 March, hosted by Ms Miller.

Other politicians who added their names were Labour's Daniel Johnson, Davy Russell, Michael Marra, Jackie Baillie and Mr Leonard, along with Conservative MSP Mr Ross. In addition to their former leaders, five SNP MSPs also backed the campaign – Christine Grahame, Colin Beattie, Emma Harper, Jamie Hepburn and ex-Housing Minister Paul McLennan.

Ms Miller – who has pledged to step up SELECT's efforts ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections – said the latest sign-ups reinforce the sustained, cross-party commitment to reform. She said: "Our message remains clear and consistent – regulation is a matter of public safety, not politics. The steady stream of new supporters shows that MSPs understand the scale of the risks associated with modern electrical systems and the vital importance of ensuring only properly trained and qualified professionals can work on them.

"We will continue to work closely with our members, partners and stakeholders to secure the legislative change our industry desperately needs. Every new name on the Wall of Support is another step towards a safer, stronger electrotechnical sector for Scotland."

The support from the former first ministers also reflects their Glasgow constituencies, with Ms Sturgeon representing Glasgow Southside since 2011 and Mr Yousaf serving Glasgow Pollok since 2016. Ms Sturgeon additionally has a personal connection to the cause, as her father worked as an electrician.

SELECT's Wall of Support has continued to expand since the association made regulation a central pledge in its manifesto for May's election, attracting endorsements from politicians, professional bodies, local authorities, housebuilders, surveyors and trade unions.

Run in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and Unite the Union, the campaign seeks to make it an offence to claim to be an electrician without appropriate or sufficient qualifications.