5th Scottish Parliament

This is a list of members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who were returned to the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. Of the 129 MSPs returned at the 2016 general election, 73 were returned from first past the post constituencies with a further 56 members returned from eight regions, each electing seven MSPs as a form of mixed member proportional representation.

5th Scottish Parliament
4th Scottish Parliament 6th Scottish Parliament
Members elected to the Scottish Parliament on 5 May 2016
Overview
Legislative bodyScottish Parliament
JurisdictionScotland
Meeting placeScottish Parliament Building
Term12 May 2016 – 5 May 2021[1]
Election2016
GovernmentSecond Sturgeon government
Members129
Presiding OfficerRt Hon Ken Macintosh
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Deputy First MinisterJohn Swinney
Leader of the OppositionRuth Davidson (2016–18)
Jackson Carlaw (2018–19)
Ruth Davidson (2019)
Jackson Carlaw (2019–20)
Ruth Davidson (2020–21)

Parliament reconvened on 12 May 2016 with the swearing-in of MSPs and the election of the presiding officer and two deputy presiding officers.[2] Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the fifth session on 2 July 2016.[3]

The Queen speaking at the opening ceremony

Composition

edit
PartyMay 2016
election
May 2021
dissolution
Scottish National Party6361
Scottish Conservatives3130
Scottish Labour2423
Scottish Greens65
Scottish Liberal Democrats55
Reform UK01
Independent03
Presiding Officer01
Total129
Government majority−3−6

Government parties denoted with bullets (•)

Graphical representation

edit

These are graphical representations of the Scottish Parliament showing a comparison of party strengths as it was directly after the 2016 general election and its composition at dissolution:

  • Note this is not the official seating plan of the Scottish Parliament.

List of MSPs

edit

This is a list of MSPs. The changes table below records all changes in party affiliation during the session, since the May 2016 election.

NameImageMember forTypeParty
George Adam PaisleyConstituencyScottish National Party
Clare Adamson Motherwell and WishawConstituencyScottish National Party
Alasdair Allan Na h-Eileanan an IarConstituencyScottish National Party
Tom Arthur Renfrewshire SouthConstituencyScottish National Party
Jackie Baillie DumbartonConstituencyScottish Labour Party
Claire Baker Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Labour Party
Jeremy Balfour LothianRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Michelle Ballantyne South Scotland
(since 23/05/17)
RegionalReform UK
Claudia Beamish South ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Colin Beattie Midlothian North and MusselburghConstituencyScottish National Party
Neil Bibby West ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Bill Bowman North East Scotland
(since 21/12/16)
RegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Sarah Boyack LothianRegionalScottish Labour Party
Miles Briggs LothianRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Keith Brown Clackmannanshire and DunblaneConstituencyScottish National Party
Alexander Burnett Aberdeenshire WestConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Donald Cameron Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Aileen Campbell ClydesdaleConstituencyScottish National Party
Jackson Carlaw EastwoodConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Finlay Carson Galloway and West DumfriesConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Peter Chapman North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Willie Coffey Kilmarnock and Irvine ValleyConstituencyScottish National Party
Alex Cole-Hamilton Edinburgh WesternConstituencyScottish Liberal Democrats
Angela Constance Almond ValleyConstituencyScottish National Party
Maurice Corry West ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Bruce Crawford StirlingConstituencyScottish National Party
Roseanna Cunningham Perthshire South and Kinross-shireConstituencyScottish National Party
Ruth Davidson Edinburgh CentralConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ash Denham Edinburgh EasternConstituencyScottish National Party
Graeme Dey Angus SouthConstituencyScottish National Party
Bob Doris Glasgow Maryhill and SpringburnConstituencyScottish National Party
James Dornan Glasgow CathcartConstituencyScottish National Party
Annabelle Ewing CowdenbeathConstituencyScottish National Party
Fergus Ewing Inverness and NairnConstituencyScottish National Party
Linda Fabiani East KilbrideConstituencyScottish National Party
Mary Fee West ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Neil Findlay LothianRegionalScottish Labour Party
John Finnie Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish Green Party
Joe FitzPatrick Dundee City WestConstituencyScottish National Party
Kate Forbes Skye, Lochaber and BadenochConstituencyScottish National Party
Murdo Fraser Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Jeane Freeman Carrick, Cumnock and Doon ValleyConstituencyScottish National Party
Kenneth Gibson Cunninghame NorthConstituencyScottish National Party
Jenny Gilruth Mid Fife and GlenrothesConstituencyScottish National Party
Maurice Golden West ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Mairi Gougeon (elected as Mairi Evans) Angus North and MearnsConstituencyScottish National Party
Christine Grahame Midlothian South, Tweeddale and LauderdaleConstituencyScottish National Party
Rhoda Grant Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish Labour Party
Iain Gray East LothianConstituencyScottish Labour Party
Jamie Greene West ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ross Greer West ScotlandRegionalScottish Green Party
Mark Griffin Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Jamie Halcro Johnston Highlands and Islands
(since 20/06/17)
RegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Rachael Hamilton Ettrick, Roxburgh and BerwickshireConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Emma Harper South ScotlandRegionalScottish National Party
Alison Harris Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Patrick Harvie GlasgowRegionalScottish Green Party
Clare Haughey RutherglenConstituencyScottish National Party
Jamie Hepburn Cumbernauld and KilsythConstituencyScottish National Party
Fiona Hyslop LinlithgowConstituencyScottish National Party
Daniel Johnson Edinburgh SouthernConstituencyScottish Labour Party
Alison Johnstone LothianRegionalScottish Green Party
James Kelly GlasgowRegionalScottish Labour Party
Liam Kerr North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Bill Kidd Glasgow AnnieslandConstituencyScottish National Party
Johann Lamont GlasgowRegionalScottish Labour Party
Monica Lennon Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Richard Leonard Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Gordon Lindhurst LothianRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Richard Lochhead MorayConstituencyScottish National Party
Dean Lockhart Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Richard Lyle Uddingston and BellshillConstituencyScottish National Party
Angus MacDonald Falkirk EastConstituencyScottish National Party
Gordon MacDonald Edinburgh PentlandsConstituencyScottish National Party
Lewis Macdonald North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Fulton MacGregor Coatbridge and ChrystonConstituencyScottish National Party
Ken Macintosh West ScotlandRegionalPresiding Officer
Derek Mackay Renfrewshire North and WestConstituencyIndependent
Rona Mackay Strathkelvin and BearsdenConstituencyScottish National Party
Ben Macpherson Edinburgh North and LeithConstituencyScottish National Party
Ruth Maguire Cunninghame SouthConstituencyScottish National Party
Jenny Marra North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Gillian Martin Aberdeenshire EastConstituencyScottish National Party
John Mason Glasgow ShettlestonConstituencyScottish National Party
Tom Mason North East Scotland
(since 20/06/17)
RegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Michael Matheson Falkirk WestConstituencyScottish National Party
Joan McAlpine South ScotlandRegionalScottish National Party
Liam McArthur OrkneyConstituencyScottish Liberal Democrats
Mark McDonald Aberdeen DonsideConstituencyIndependent
Ivan McKee Glasgow ProvanConstituencyScottish National Party
Christina McKelvie Hamilton, Larkhall and StonehouseConstituencyScottish National Party
Stuart McMillan Greenock and InverclydeConstituencyScottish National Party
Pauline McNeill GlasgowRegionalScottish Labour Party
Margaret Mitchell Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Edward Mountain Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Oliver Mundell DumfriesshireConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Alex Neil Airdrie and ShottsConstituencyScottish National Party
Gil Paterson Clydebank and MilngavieConstituencyScottish National Party
Willie Rennie North East FifeConstituencyScottish Liberal Democrats
Shona Robison Dundee City EastConstituencyScottish National Party
Gail Ross Caithness, Sutherland and RossConstituencyScottish National Party
Alex Rowley Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Labour Party
Mike Rumbles North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Liberal Democrats
Mark Ruskell Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Green Party
Michael Russell Argyll and ButeConstituencyScottish National Party
Anas Sarwar GlasgowRegionalScottish Labour Party
John Scott AyrConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Graham Simpson Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Elaine Smith Central ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Liz Smith Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Colin Smyth South ScotlandRegionalScottish Labour Party
Shirley-Anne Somerville DunfermlineConstituencyScottish National Party
Stewart Stevenson Banffshire and Buchan CoastConstituencyScottish National Party
Alexander Stewart Mid Scotland and FifeRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
David Stewart Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish Labour Party
Kevin Stewart Aberdeen CentralConstituencyScottish National Party
Nicola Sturgeon Glasgow SouthsideConstituencyScottish National Party
John Swinney Perthshire NorthConstituencyScottish National Party
Maree Todd Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish National Party
Adam Tomkins GlasgowRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
David Torrance KirkcaldyConstituencyScottish National Party
Maureen Watt Aberdeen South and North KincardineConstituencyScottish National Party
Annie Wells GlasgowRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Paul Wheelhouse South ScotlandRegionalScottish National Party
Sandra White Glasgow KelvinConstituencyScottish National Party
Brian Whittle South ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Andy Wightman LothianRegionalIndependent
Beatrice Wishart ShetlandConstituencyScottish Liberal Democrats
Humza Yousaf Glasgow PollokConstituencyScottish National Party

Former MSPs

edit
NameImageMember forTypePartyNotes
Kezia Dugdale LothianRegionalScottish Labour PartyResigned 15 July 2019
Alex Johnstone North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist PartyDied 7 December 2016
John Lamont Ettrick, Roxburgh and BerwickshireConstituencyScottish Conservative and Unionist PartyResigned 27 April 2017
Douglas Ross Highlands and IslandsRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist PartyResigned 11 June 2017
Tavish Scott ShetlandConstituencyScottish Liberal DemocratsResigned 15 July 2019
Ross Thomson North East ScotlandRegionalScottish Conservative and Unionist PartyResigned 12 June 2017

Changes

edit
DateConstituency/regionGainLossNote
12 May 2016West ScotlandPresiding OfficerLabourKen Macintosh was elected Presiding Officer and consequently had to renounce his party affiliation.[4][5]
7 December 2016North East ScotlandConservativeConservativeAlex Johnstone died on 7 December 2016, aged 55.[6] It was announced on 13 December that the Conservatives had nominated Bill Bowman to replace Johnstone.[7] Bowman was sworn in on 21 December.[8]
27 April 2017Ettrick, Roxburgh and BerwickshireConservativeConservativeJohn Lamont resigned his seat, effective 4 May 2017, in order to contest the 2017 UK general election.[9] This triggered a by-election in his Scottish Parliament seat, which was held on the same day as the UK general election (8 June 2017).[9] Rachael Hamilton won the seat.
2 May 2017South ScotlandConservativeConservativeRachael Hamilton resigned her list seat in order to contest the 2017 Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire by-election on 8 June.[10] She was replaced by Michelle Ballantyne,[11] who was sworn in on 23 May.[12]
11 June 2017Highlands and IslandsConservativeConservativeDouglas Ross resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, having won election to the UK Parliament in the 2017 general election.[13] Ross was succeeded by Jamie Halcro Johnston, who was sworn in on 20 June.[14]
12 June 2017North East ScotlandConservativeConservativeRoss Thomson resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, having won election to the UK Parliament in the 2017 general election.[13] Thomson was succeeded by Tom Mason, who was sworn in on 20 June.[14]
15 November 2017Mid Scotland and FifeIndependentLabourAlex Rowley was suspended by Labour due to allegations about his conduct.[15]
16 November 2017Aberdeen DonsideIndependentSNPMark McDonald was suspended by the SNP due to allegations about his conduct,[16] and he subsequently resigned his membership of the SNP.[17]
19 December 2017Mid Scotland and FifeLabourIndependentAlex Rowley was reinstated by Labour.[18]
15 July 2019LothianLabourLabourKezia Dugdale resigned her seat in the Scottish Parliament, taking a job with a think-tank.[19] Dugale was succeeded by Sarah Boyack.[19]
15 July 2019ShetlandLiberal DemocratsLiberal DemocratsTavish Scott resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, taking a job with Scottish Rugby.[20] This triggered a by-election, which was won Beatrice Wishart.
6 February 2020Renfrewshire North and WestIndependentSNPDerek Mackay was suspended by the SNP due to allegations about his conduct.[21]
24 November 2020South ScotlandIndependentConservativeMichelle Ballantyne left the Conservative Party due to disagreements over policy relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.[22]
18 December 2020LothianIndependentScottish GreenAndy Wightman resigned from the Scottish Green Party due to disagreements over policy relating to transgender rights.[23]
11 January 2021South ScotlandReform UKIndependentMichelle Ballantyne joined Reform UK (formerly known as the Brexit Party) and was appointed leader of Reform UK Scotland.[24]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Act 2021". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  2. ^ Vevers, Den (12 May 2016). "MSPs sworn in as Scottish Parliament resumes business". STV News. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Queen urges calm in 'challenging world'". BBC News. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Ken Macintosh chosen as Holyrood presiding officer". BBC News. BBC. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  5. ^ Brooks, Libby (12 May 2016). "Ken Macintosh elected as presiding officer of Scottish parliament". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone dies aged 55". BBC News. BBC. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Replacement for late MSP Alex Johnstone announced as Bill Bowman". BBC News. BBC. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  8. ^ "New Conservative MSP Bill Bowman takes his oath of allegiance". BBC News. BBC. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Tory MSP to quit Holyrood to stand for Westminster". BBC News. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  10. ^ "MSP Rachael Hamilton quits to fight Holyrood by-election". BBC News. BBC. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  11. ^ Freeman, Tom (18 May 2017). "Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne is new Tory MSP". Holyrood Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  12. ^ "New Conservative MSP sworn in at Holyrood". BBC News. BBC. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Newly-elected Tory MPs quit Holyrood for Westminster". BBC News. BBC. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Two new Conservative MSPs sworn in at Holyrood". BBC News. BBC. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Labour suspends deputy leader Alex Rowley during conduct probe". BBC News. BBC. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  16. ^ "SNP suspends former government minister". BBC News. BBC. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  17. ^ "Mark McDonald quits SNP but continues as MSP". BBC News. BBC. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Leonard unveils new Scottish Labour front bench team". BBC News. BBC. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Sarah Boyack to return to Holyrood as Labour MSP". BBC News. BBC. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Former Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott to quit Holyrood". BBC News. BBC. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Derek Mackay: Scottish finance secretary quits over messages to boy". BBC News. BBC. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  22. ^ "MSP Michelle Ballantyne quits Scottish Tories". BBC News. BBC. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Andy Wightman quits Scottish Greens over trans rights stance". BBC News. BBC. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Former Tory MSP to lead Scots wing of rebranded Brexit Party". BBC News. BBC. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
edit