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
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
Deputy Convener
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: 30 November 2023
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "Can the minister give us evidence that the incidents that she is talking about are related to grouse moors?"
Chamber meeting date: 29 November 2023
Agricultural Funding (Engagement with United Kingdom Government)
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "The Scottish National Party-Green Government’s disdain for our farmers and crofters is all too clear to see…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 29 November 2023
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "What was the thinking behind the Scottish Government choosing a five-year duration for the rural support plan?"
Chamber meeting date: 23 November 2023
Scottish Budget (Agriculture and Rural Communities)
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "On Tuesday, Shona Robison, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, failed to guarantee to farmers that £28 million of ring-fenced funding will be returned to the Scottish agricultural budget. Furthermore, £45 million is being cut from the rural budget…
Chamber meeting date: 23 November 2023
Battery Energy Storage Systems (National Strategy)
2. Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the just transition secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding whether a national strategy for battery energy storage system sites could form part of Scotland’s plans for a just transition…
Votes
How Rachael Hamilton has voted in Parliament
Find out how Rachael Hamilton has voted recently.
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 4, 2023
Supported by: George Adam, Tom Arthur, Joe FitzPatrick
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 63 for, 56 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 1 for, 119 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 56 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 25 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 31 for, 89 against, 0 abstained, 9 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: 5 December 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve social care provision in rural communities."
Answer expected on 19 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government which organisations representing local communities affected by Storm Babet have been part of any meetings involving its Storm Babet recovery taskforce up to 16 November 2023."
Holding Answer by Mairi McAllan on 5 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has spoken to any farmers whose crops or livestock have been affected by Storm Babet as part of its Storm Babet recovery taskforce, as of 16 November 2023."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 4 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands has received a request under rule 9 of the Inquiry Rules 2006 for evidence regarding any WhatsApp messages and informal communications with cabinet secretaries, ministers, senior civil servants or advisers, on Scottish Government-issued or…
Answered by Shona Robison on 4 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any examples of the appropriate use of Asulox for controlling bracken having had a detrimental effect on human health in the last 10 years."
Answer expected on 12 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any examples of environmental harm caused by the appropriate use of Asulox for the control of bracken in the last 10 years."
Answer expected on 12 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of all the stakeholder groups that it engaged with when producing its paper, Our marine sector in an independent Scotland."
Answer expected on 12 December 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Scottish Prison Service guidelines on the management of trans prisoners are compliant with its policy of gender self-identification that is open to every person over the age of 16 with a Scottish birth register entry or who is ordinarily resident in Scotland."
Answered by Angela Constance on 27 November 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the just transition secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding whether a national strategy for battery energy storage system sites could form part of Scotland’s plans for a just transition."
Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12 October 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is currently running any marketing or recruitment campaigns to encourage more GPs to work in NHS boards in predominantly rural areas such as the Scottish Borders and the Highlands."
Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 November 2023
See all of Rachael Hamilton's questions submitted in Parliament