Skip to main content
Loading…

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

Elena Whitham

Scottish National Party

MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Constituency) 2021 - present day

About Elena Whitham

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @ElenaWhitham

Facebook: Elena's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 5494
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

46-48 Glaisnock Street
Cumnock
East Ayrshire
KA18 1BY

Phone: 01290 319126
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Elena is a member of 5 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on End of Life Choices

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on France

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Women's Health

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wood Panel Industry

Deputy Convener

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Elena does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Elena does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Elena has had 10 previous roles

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

20 February 2024 - 19 June 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

26 June 2024 - 20 November 2024

Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

29 March 2023 - 06 February 2024

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy

Scottish Government

03 November 2022 - 29 March 2023

Minister for Community Safety

Scottish Government

27 January 2022 - 03 November 2022

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Convener

27 January 2022 - 03 November 2022

conveners group

Member

25 January 2022 - 27 January 2022

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Member

22 June 2021 - 24 January 2022

Local Government Housing and Planning Committee

Deputy Convener

01 December 2021 - 24 January 2022

Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021

Local Government Housing and Planning Committee

Member

Register of interests

Elena'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 Elena Whitham. The date of their initial statement was 02 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

Until 5 May 2022 I was a councillor at East Ayrshire Council (of Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, KA3 7BU). I spent approximately 15 hours a week on the role and received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. I donated my councillor salary, after deductions and taxes, to charities within my ward for the duration of my term. [Registered 31 August 2021, Amended interest 10 May 2022]

Until 24 June 2021 I was Depute Leader of East Ayrshire Council (of Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, KA3 7BU). I spent approximately 20 hours a week on this role and received remuneration of between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum. I donated this salary, after deductions and taxes, to charities within my ward. [Amended interest 31 August 2021]

Gifts

No registrable interests

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am a Board member of the Simon Community Scotland's Connect Hub for Women. [Registered 25 October 2024]

I am a member of the Shelter Scotland Committee. [Registered 4 August 2025]

I am a member of the Humanist Society of Scotland. [Registered 29 April 2024]

I am currently a member of the 16th Ayrshire Scout Group.

I am a member of Women for Independence.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Elena Whitham 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.

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Chamber meeting date: 18 March 2026

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes."

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2026

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP): "I, too, thank Liam McArthur, from the bottom of my heart, for enabling and empowering us to debate a very important issue.I clearly recall staring for a full five minutes last June at a message from my best friend as the world around me fell away…

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2026

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP): "I, too, thank Liam McArthur, from the bottom of my heart, for enabling and empowering us to debate a very important issue.I clearly recall staring for a full five minutes last June at a message from my best friend as the world around me fell away…

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2026

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP): "I, too, thank Liam McArthur, from the bottom of my heart, for enabling and empowering us to debate a very important issue.I clearly recall staring for a full five minutes last June at a message from my best friend as the world around me fell away…

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2026

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP): "I, too, thank Liam McArthur, from the bottom of my heart, for enabling and empowering us to debate a very important issue.I clearly recall staring for a full five minutes last June at a message from my best friend as the world around me fell away…

Votes

How Elena Whitham has voted in Parliament

Find out how Elena Whitham has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 73 Amendment 20

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Result 49 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 73 Amendment 21

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Result 49 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 73 Amendment 19

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Result 50 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 73 Amendment 17

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Result 46 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 73 Amendment 4

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Result 106 for, 7 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Motions made by Elena Whitham in Parliament

Find out what motions Elena Whitham has submitted recently.

Questions

Questions Elena Whitham has asked

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

Question reference: S6O-05714

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 18 March 2026

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether addressing affordable housing need and tackling homelessness will be More Homes Scotland's core mission."

Question reference: S6W-43899

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 24 February 2026

Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans for the new arrangements for withdrawal from religious education and religious observance in schools to come into force in time for the start of the academic year 2026-27."

Question reference: S6W-44119

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 9 March 2026

Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan."

Question reference: S6O-05538

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 11 February 2026

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the support provided to NHS boards to develop specialist care pathways for postural tachycardia syndrome."

Question reference: S6O-05485

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 4 February 2026

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 February 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its Good Food Nation journey encourages local procurement, promotes local produce and reduces food miles."

Question reference: S6O-05288

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 3 December 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on pedestrian safety improvements."

Question reference: S6W-41937

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 17 November 2025

Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 18 November 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its progress towards the breastfeeding stretch aim to reduce drop-off in breastfeeding at six to eight weeks by 10% by 2025, as set out in the most recent Programme for Government, and (b) whether it plans to set a new stretch aim as part of its recently published Breastfeeding…

Question reference: S6O-05175

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 12 November 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 November 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work it has been doing regarding people obtaining in-person GP appointments."

Question reference: S6F-04335

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 22 September 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 September 2025

"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of any implications for its work to address poverty amongst older people of recent findings by the Living Wage Foundation that a majority of people on a low-income pension in the UK are unable to cover basic living costs."

Question reference: S6O-04990

Asked by: Elena Whitham, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 17 September 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 September 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045, including in relation to riparian woodland planting."