Rachael Hamilton
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Constituency) 2017 - present day
Former MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - 2017
About Rachael Hamilton
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: rachaelhamilton.co.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @Rachael2Win
Facebook: Rachael's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6970
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
7 Abbey Court
Kelso
TD5 7JA
Phone: 01573 224862
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Cross-party groups
Rachael is a member of 15 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Building Bridges with Israel
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Dyslexia
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on End of Life Choices
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fisheries and Coastal Communities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gardening and Horticulture
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Independent Convenience Stores
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Outdoor Education
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scottish Horseracing and Bloodstock Industries
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Enterprise
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on St Andrew's Day
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on USA
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Women's Health
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Rachael does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Rachael has 2 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Islands
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Rachael has had 20 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
25 May 2022 - 29 June 2023
Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Member
17 June 2021 - 01 February 2023
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Member
08 September 2021 - 25 May 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Substitute Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Older People
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
25 February 2020 - 04 May 2021
Culture Tourism Europe and External Affairs Committee
Substitute Member
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Social Security Committee
Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Member
28 June 2017 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Co-Chair
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
10 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Party Spokesperson on Culture
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
17 May 2018 - 10 September 2019
Public Petitions Committee
Member
21 June 2017 - 17 May 2018
Culture Tourism Europe and External Relations Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 02 May 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
26 May 2016 - 02 May 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Business
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 September 2016 - 02 May 2017
Culture Tourism Europe and External Relations Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 17 November 2016
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
European and External Relations Committee
Member
Register of interests
Rachael's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for Rachael Hamilton. The date of their initial statement was 14 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
I am a director of Borders Hotels Ltd, a hospitality firm of the Green, St Boswells, Melrose, Roxburghshire, TD6 0EW. I received £2,000 in the form of dividends in the year end accounts which I then paid directly into the company.
Gifts
No registrable interests.
Overseas visits
From 4 July to 8 July 2022 I visited Munich and Berlin, Germany, as part of a cross-Party delegation from the Scottish Parliament, meeting Parliamentarians, public officials and business representatives, as a guest of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation, meals and translation services amounted to £1300 and were paid by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (a political research foundation of Munich, Germany). [Registered 1 August 2022]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests.
Heritable property
No registrable interests.
Interest in shares
I own 49% of the issued share capital in Borders Hotels Ltd. of the Green, St Boswells, Melrose, Roxburghshire, TD6 0EW. These are ordinary shares with a market value of £120,518. The company is a privately owned limited company therefore market value is difficult to determine. The value given is the net asset value based on the latest accounts filed with Companies House.
Voluntary
No registrable interests.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Rachael Hamilton has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 24 April 2024
Historic Environment Scotland (Reopening of Sites)
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I extend my apologies to the chamber and to you for arriving to the chamber late and missing my question. It was entirely my fault; I had a diary malfunction."
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 24 April 2024
Sea Fisheries (Remote Electronic Monitoring and Regulation of Scallop Fishing) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [Draft]
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "My question is about something that Ian Gatt said in his consultation submission. He said that pelagic boats already have cameras installed…
Chamber meeting date: 23 April 2024
Gender-identity Healthcare for Young People
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "Some members of the Scottish National Party and Green Government have questioned the integrity of the evidence in the Cass report…
Chamber meeting date: 17 April 2024
Water Management (Financial Support)
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "When it comes to supporting farmers and landowners to protect riverbanks, the Scottish forestry grant scheme falls way short of England’s woodland creation offer…
Chamber meeting date: 17 April 2024
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "Will the minister give way?"
Votes
How Rachael Hamilton has voted in Parliament
Find out how Rachael Hamilton has voted recently.
WASPI: Women Against State Pension Inequality
Submitted by: Humza Yousaf, Glasgow Pollok, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Supported by: Paul McLennan, Emma Roddick, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 75 for, 0 against, 52 abstained, 2 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
WASPI: Women Against State Pension Inequality
Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 21 for, 95 against, 11 abstained, 2 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
WASPI: Women Against State Pension Inequality
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 31 for, 74 against, 21 abstained, 3 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Motion of No Confidence
Submitted by: Anas Sarwar, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Friday, April 26, 2024
Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Claire Baker, Jeremy Balfour, Neil Bibby, Sarah Boyack, Alexander Burnett, Foysol Choudhury, Katy Clark, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Tim Eagle, Rhoda Grant, Mark Griffin, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Rachael Hamilton, Daniel Johnson, Monica Lennon, Richard Leonard, Douglas Lumsden, Michael Marra, Liam McArthur, Pauline McNeill, Carol Mochan, Edward Mountain, Paul O'Kane, Willie Rennie, Alex Rowley, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells, Tess White, Martin Whitfield, Beatrice Wishart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 58 for, 70 against, 0 abstained, 1 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Graham Simpson, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Result 57 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 4 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Rachael Hamilton in Parliament
Find out what motions Rachael Hamilton has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Rachael Hamilton has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local businesses, in light of any customer behavioural changes resulting from road closures caused by renewables developments."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to reshape the Self-Build Loan Fund to better tailor it to the areas and people utilising it most, and to extend it beyond its current completion date."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 30 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 9 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government by when loan payments from the Self-Build Loan Fund are required to be repaid."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 30 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding any impact of renewables developments and resultant road closures on local businesses."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment was conducted regarding the impact of the £500 million funding for the Bus Partnership Fund."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government where the reported unspent money, which was originally allocated to the Bus Partnership Fund, will be spent."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 29 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider expanding the Self-Build Loan Fund to all applicants in rural areas, other than just those who are unable to access standard bank lending, to help increase the number of homes that are available in non-urban settings."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 29 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 9 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £500 million, which was originally allocated to the Bus Partnership Fund, has been spent."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 29 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for the Self-Build Loan Fund have been (a) received and (b) successful in obtaining funding since the Fund was established, and how much money it has allocated from the £6 million available."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 29 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to increase the £6 million that is currently available through the Self-Build Loan Fund."
Answered by Paul McLennan on 29 April 2024
See all of Rachael Hamilton's questions submitted in Parliament