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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Alex Cole-Hamilton

Scottish Liberal Democrats

MSP for Edinburgh Western (Constituency) 2016 - present day

About Alex Cole-Hamilton

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @agcolehamilton

Facebook: Alex's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 5821
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

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.

Committees

Alex is a member of 1 committee

Cross-party groups

Alex is a member of 11 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Bangladesh

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Chronic Pain

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Diabetes

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Improving Scotland’s Health

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Long Covid

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tibet

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ukraine

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Volunteering

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Alex does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Alex has 6 party roles

Party Leader

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Party Spokesperson on Health

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Party Spokesperson on Social Care

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Party Spokesperson on the Constitution

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Party Spokesperson on the Drugs Emergency

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Previous roles

Alex has had 8 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021

Party Spokesperson on Sport

Scottish Liberal Democrats

29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Health

Scottish Liberal Democrats

08 November 2016 - 04 May 2021

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Substitute Member

06 February 2019 - 04 May 2021

Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints

Member

29 September 2016 - 04 May 2021

Equalities and Human Rights Committee

Deputy Convener

08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021

Health and Sport Committee

Member

16 June 2016 - 29 September 2016

Equal Opportunities Committee

Deputy Convener

08 June 2016 - 16 June 2016

Equal Opportunities Committee

Member

Register of interests

Alex'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 Alex Cole-Hamilton. The date of their initial statement was 03 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

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]

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

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]

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

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]

Recent Activity

What was said

What Alex Cole-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: 25 September 2025

One Scotland, Many Voices

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

Ferry Services (Compensation Scheme)

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

Motion of Condolence

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

Care (Isle of Skye)

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

Drug-related Deaths

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…

Votes

How Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted in Parliament

Find out how Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-18687

Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

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

Motion ref. S6M-19027

Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill

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

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 45 Amendment 91

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

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 45 Amendment 92

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

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 45 Amendment 204

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

Motions

Questions

Questions Alex Cole-Hamilton has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question ref. S6W-40784

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

Question ref. S6W-40782

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

Question ref. S6W-40783

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

Question ref. S6W-40743

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

Question ref. S6W-40732

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

Question ref. S6W-40737

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

Question ref. S6W-40736

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

Question ref. S6W-40734

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

Question ref. S6W-40735

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

Question ref. S6W-40733

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

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