Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Edinburgh Western (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Email: [email protected]
Website: edinburghlibdems.org
X (previously known as Twitter): @agcolehamilton
Facebook: Alex's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5821
Text relay calls welcome.
151 St John's Road
Corstorphine
Edinburgh
EH12 7SD
Phone: 0131 334 1814
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Substitute Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Co-Convener
Member
Deputy Convener
Member
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Liberal Democrats
08 November 2016 - 04 May 2021
Substitute Member
06 February 2019 - 04 May 2021
Member
29 September 2016 - 04 May 2021
Deputy Convener
08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Member
16 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
Deputy Convener
08 June 2016 - 16 June 2016
Member
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 Alex Cole-Hamilton. The date of their initial statement was 03 June 2021.
No registrable interests
On 26 August 2022, my wife and I were guests of the RAF at a performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Limited, 1-3 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QB). The estimated value of the hospitality received was £773. [Registered 20 September 2022]
On 12 September 2023 I attended Hampden Park Stadium for the Scotland vs England friendly match as a guest of Channel 4 Television Corporation (a broadcasting company of 124 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2TX). The ticket and associated hospitality amounted to a total of £478. [Registered 4 October 2023]
On 9 August 2023, I was a guest of the RAF (25 Learmonth Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 1NZ) at a performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The value of the hospitality received was £475. [Registered 28 September 2023]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
Until 29 August 2022, I sublet part of my own property in Edinburgh through online holiday property website Airbnb. This yielded a gross annual income of between £5,001 and £10,000. Between 29 August 2022 and 4 May 2023, I used this part of my property to accommodate a person under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, for which I received £350 a month as a “thank you” payment. Since the departure of my Ukrainian guest on 4 May 2023, I have relisted this part of my property on Airbnb and it will yield a gross annual income of between £5,0001 and £10,000 per annum. [Amended interest 22 September 2022, Amended interest 11 May 2023]
No registrable interests
I was formerly a Convener and Director of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights).
On 5 February 2022, I was a guest of Scottish Rugby to the Calcutta cup at Murrayfield, they provided hospitality and 2 match tickets to myself and my guest, followed by dinner afterwards. SRU have stated that the estimated value was £1,000 per person. I do not consider that this meets the prejudice test. [Registered 22 February 2022]
On 22 August 2024 a family member and I were guests of the Royal Navy for dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia and then transported by coach to the Royal Military Tattoo. The combined value of the hospitality was £1520. [Registered 23 September 2024]
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: 25 September 2025
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, having been a host for Ukraine for nine months under the homes for Ukraine scheme…
Chamber meeting date: 18 September 2025
3. Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "The Scottish Government’s ferry fiasco is a national embarrassment. It has cost us a fortune, but no Scottish National Party minister has ever had the decency to resign…
Chamber meeting date: 18 September 2025
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "It is a tremendous privilege to pay tribute to Sir George Reid on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. His passing marks the loss of one of the most substantial figures in the life of the Parliament and the life of Scotland…
Chamber meeting date: 18 September 2025
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "Colleagues will remember that I raised this subject at First Minister’s question time when there was very nearly a tragic incident on the doorstep of Portree hospital last year…
Chamber meeting date: 4 September 2025
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "I associate myself with Paul Sweeney’s remarks on the sad passing of Peter Krykant, who was a friend to many in the chamber…
See all of Alex Cole-Hamilton's contributions in the chamber
Find out how Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted recently.
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 25, 2025
Result 63 for, 18 against, 23 abstained, 25 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Ben Macpherson, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Supported by: Natalie Don-Innes, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, September 25, 2025
Result 62 for, 39 against, 2 abstained, 26 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Result 59 for, 50 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Result 60 for, 47 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Result 40 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 21 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Find out what motions Alex Cole-Hamilton has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a review of the number of pupils currently placed on part-time timetables in schools as a result of there being insufficient resources to support them."
Answer expected on 10 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of pupil support assistants in schools, in light of reported concerns from parents and unions that this is leaving a large number of children unable to attend school full-time."
Answer expected on 10 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some children with additional support needs in Edinburgh are being "parked" on temporary timetables due to there being insufficient resources to fully support them in mainstream classroom settings."
Answer expected on 10 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4…
Answered by Neil Gray on 25 September 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on diagnostic waiting times and outcomes for younger people presenting with potential cancer symptoms."
Answer expected on 8 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors repeat GP attendances for unresolved symptoms, what data it collects on such cases, and how this data informs policy to prevent missed diagnoses."
Answer expected on 8 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risks to people of delayed cancer diagnoses, particularly among (a) younger people and (b) people from minority ethnic backgrounds."
Answer expected on 8 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance exists for GPs to support early identification of cancer and other serious illnesses in people who present multiple times with unexplained or deteriorating symptoms."
Answer expected on 8 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a formal "three strikes and rethink" approach for GPs in dealing with people repeatedly presenting with unresolved medical symptoms, and what consultation it has carried out with medical professionals and patient safety organisations."
Answer expected on 8 October 2025
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported plans to do so in England, whether it plans to adopt a version of the so-called Jess’s Rule to ensure that people repeatedly presenting with unresolved medical symptoms are referred for further investigation."
Answer expected on 8 October 2025
See all of Alex Cole-Hamilton's questions submitted in Parliament