Tag: new MSPs

MSPs prepare for first day of new Scottish Parliament

Oaths, affirmations and a new Presiding Officer

Newly elected MSPs will take part in their first formal meeting at the Scottish Parliament at 9.30am on Thursday 14 May.

All MSPs will start their work in the Parliament by making an oath or affirmation, which must happen before they can take part in any other parliamentary business at Holyrood.

John Swinney MSP, as leader of the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, will be the first to be sworn in, followed by the other party leaders. Other MSPs will be called forward in alphabetical order.

This initial meeting will be chaired by current Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP.

In the afternoon MSPs will be asked to elect a new Presiding Officer, who will serve for the rest of the new parliamentary session. It is expected that two Deputy Presiding Officers will be elected later in the afternoon.

Ahead of their first meeting in the Chamber, MSPs will have taken part in the first part of an induction programme in the parliament building. The programme aims to welcome MSPs to their roles and will:

  • allow MSPs to establish a temporary office within the Parliament
  • help MSPs establish their constituency or regional offices
  • inform MSPs about what support is available to them to help their constituents
  • give MSPs information about how to take part in debates and votes in the Chamber
  • let MSPs know more about the parliamentary roles and responsibilities

Speaking ahead of the MSPs arriving at the Scottish Parliament, David McGill, the Parliament’s Clerk/Chief Executive, said: “It is great to be able to welcome new MSPs into the Parliament, where our dedicated staff team will be on hand to help them get acquainted with their roles and responsibilities.

“This Parliament’s first formal meeting, on Thursday 14 May, will be particularly significant for those performing their first duties as MSPs, and for those seeking to become Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers.

“The first sitting day has an important role in formally introducing MSPs to the public, but the election of the Presiding Officer in particular starts to set the agenda for the session ahead.”

The first sitting day will be able to be view live on the Parliament’s website.

Edinburgh returns new MSPs in Scottish Parliament Election 2026

The results for Edinburgh’s six city constituencies, along with the seven seats for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region were announced at the Royal Highland Centre yesterday (Friday 8 May).

The declarations were made by Paul Lawrence, Returning Officer for the Edinburgh constituencies, and Regional Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Lothians East.

The newly elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are listed below, with further details of the results available on the city council’s website:

Edinburgh Central: Lorna Jane Slater, Scottish Green Party (4,582 majority)

Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith: Ben Macpherson, Scottish National Party (3,071 majority)

Edinburgh North Western: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats (13,016 majority)

Edinburgh Northern: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Scottish Liberal Democrats (2,493 majority)

Edinburgh South Western: Simita Kumar, Scottish National Party (3,289 majority)

Edinburgh Southern: Daniel Guy Johnson, Scottish Labour Party (4,963 majority)

Edinburgh and Lothians East (Region):

  • Kate Nevens – Scottish Green Party
  • Angela Ross – Reform UK
  • Irshad Ahmed – Scottish Labour Party
  • Miles Briggs – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Q Manivannan – Scottish Green Party
  • Katherine Sangster – Scottish Labour Party
  • Kayleigh Ferguson Kinross-O’Neill – Scottish Green Party

Paul Lawrence, Constituency and Regional Returning Officer said: “I’d like to thank our colleagues in the Elections team and across the Council for their hard work and many months of planning in delivering this election.

“This is one of the most important duties that we carry out and truly is public service at its very best. I’d also like to thank Police Scotland, the candidates, agents, and media for working with us throughout the process.

“I wish our new MSPs the best of luck and I have no doubt they will represent our city, our region, and its residents with great pride. 

“Finally, I’d like to thank our residents for taking the time to cast their votes and make their voices heard.”

The total electorate for the city constituencies was 387,355, total votes cast 223,815, and turnout 57.8%.

For the region, the electorate was 564,571, total votes cast 320,286 and turnout 56.7%.

SCOTTISH RESULT:

SNP 58 (– 6 on 2021 results)

LABOUR 17 (- 4)

REFORM 17 (+ 17)

SCOTTISH GREENS 15 (+ 6)

CONSERVATIVE 12 (- 19)

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 10 (+ 6)

Edinburgh_and_Lothians_East_Regional_DeclarationDownload