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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 10 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 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 November 2025

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "Liberal Democrats will support the bill tonight, but we share the considerable concerns of stakeholders in the chamber and beyond it about part 2 and the Government’s failure to make the case for what seems to be a dilution of our commitment to incorporating the UNCRC."

Chamber meeting date: 20 November 2025

Covid-19 Inquiry Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "In the pages of the report, we learn that our entire pandemic response was dictated by those in a small clique at the heart of the Scottish National Party Government, none of whom are in the chamber this afternoon…

Chamber meeting date: 18 November 2025

University of Edinburgh (Redundancies)

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "The minister will recall that I invited Sir Peter Mathieson here to meet a group of Edinburgh MSPs in the early summer…

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2025

Primary Schools (Class Contact Time)

3. Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "I declare an interest in that my wife is a primary school teacher and a member of the Educational Institute of Scotland…

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2025

Winter Preparedness (Health and Social Care)

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "This morning, the cabinet secretary and I attended a conference that was organised by the RCN for nurse activists…

Votes

How Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted in Parliament

Find out how Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-19928

Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Result 93 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19894.4

Backing Oil and Gas

Submitted by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Result 22 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP not voted

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6M-19894.3

Backing Oil and Gas

Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Result 58 for, 60 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP not voted

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6M-19895.4

Growing Scotland’s Economy

Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Result 23 for, 98 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6M-19895.3

Growing Scotland’s Economy

Submitted by: Ivan McKee, Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Result 58 for, 60 against, 2 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

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 reference: S6W-42182

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 26 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 11 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to introduce a legal requirement for kitchen knives to be security-tagged or kept behind the counter in retail premises, as is done with other products that could be used as weapons."

Question reference: S6W-42181

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 26 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 11 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds any statistics on the number of knives stolen from retail outlets, and if so, whether it will provide the most recent figures available."

Question reference: S6W-42148

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS England, NHS Wales and HSC Northern Ireland in relation to a joint response to evidence regarding the risks for people affected by exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a result of their mother using the drug during pregnancy."

Question reference: S6W-42149

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it will provide to NHS boards to support increased testing for people who may have been affected by exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a result of their mother using the drug during pregnancy."

Question reference: S6W-42150

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill."

Question reference: S6W-42145

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to raise awareness of endometriosis in schools."

Question reference: S6W-42147

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take with the NHS to support people who may have been affected by exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) as a result of their mother using the drug during pregnancy, and how it plans to test any people exposed to DES in this way for any potential health issues resulting from this exposure."

Question reference: S6W-42151

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support is available for people with (a) Down’s syndrome and (b) other disabilities."

Question reference: S6W-42146

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that accessible public toilets are able to be used by people with a stoma."

Question reference: S6W-42144

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Date lodged: 25 November 2025

Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase awareness of endometriosis among clinicians in all departments."

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