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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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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

X (previously known as 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

Rachael is a member of 1 committee

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

Member

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

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Rachael does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Rachael has 1 party role

Deputy Party Leader

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Previous roles

Rachael has had 23 previous roles

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

01 February 2023 - 10 October 2024

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

21 May 2021 - 28 September 2024

Party Spokesperson on Islands

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

21 May 2021 - 28 September 2024

Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

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: 29 May 2025

Hawick Fire Station

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "Due to unprecedented Scottish National Party cuts, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has brought forward plans to scrap 24/7 fire cover at Hawick fire station, which will leave nearby towns and communities at risk…

Chamber meeting date: 29 May 2025

Equality and Human Rights Commission (Meetings)

5. Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government when it will meet with the Equality and Human Rights Commission regarding its recently published consultation on updating the code of practice for services, public functions and associations, following the recent Supreme Court ruling. (S6O-04732)"

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee meeting date: 29 May 2025

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "Amendment 223 seeks to make practical changes to the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 in relation to permitted development rights for the change of use of a building from agricultural use to use as a dwelling…

Chamber meeting date: 20 May 2025

Radio Teleswitch Service Switch-off

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "I thank Beatrice Wishart for securing this important debate. The urgency with which we need to deal with the issue is growing with each passing day…

Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2025

Museums Capacity and Support Programme

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I seek your advice. Emma Harper stated that my colleague Tess White’s question for the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture was anti-trans. That was not the case…

Votes

How Rachael Hamilton has voted in Parliament

Find out how Rachael Hamilton has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-17670.2

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 49 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17670

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 96 for, 18 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17669.3

A New Plan for Scotland’s Teaching Workforce

Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don-Innes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 64 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17670.3

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Maree Todd, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Supported by: Neil Gray, Jenni Minto
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 65 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17669

A New Plan for Scotland’s Teaching Workforce

Submitted by: Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 89 for, 23 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motions

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.

Question ref. S6W-38142

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is currently in place to inform ministers’ decisions when they depart from the recommendations of a public inquiry reporter in renewable energy cases."

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38140

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the views of local communities, as expressed during public inquiries and local planning processes, are given full consideration when ministers make a final decision on renewable energy applications."

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38136

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its response to an Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 request on 22 April 2025 (reference 202500456071), how many of the 44 public inquiries into renewable energy applications held since January 2020 related to developments located within the Scottish Borders local authority area."

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38139

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what weight is given to (a) local authority planning refusals and (b) the findings of a public inquiry reporter in a final ministerial decision on renewable energy developments."

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38137

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its response to an Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 request on 22 April 2025 (reference 202500456071), regarding the 10 renewable energy application decisions since January 2020 in which the Scottish Ministers decided against the recommendations made by public inquiry reporters, on…

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38138

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its response to an Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 request on 22 April 2025 (reference 202500456071), whether any decisions made by the Scottish Ministers to approve renewable energy applications against the recommendations of public inquiry reporters were based on Scottish Government…

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38128

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any recent review by Scottish Borders Council of its additional needs assistant allocation process for secondary schools."

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38141

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 3 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider commissioning an independent review of the consistency and transparency of decisions made by ministers in cases where public inquiry recommendations have been decided against in favour of renewable energy development."

Answer expected on 17 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38127

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in reviewing how additional support needs team allocations are determined within local authority secondary schools."

Answer expected on 16 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38124

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that any funding directed at supporting additional support needs provision in schools is spent in line with (a) local need and (b) national priorities."

Answer expected on 16 June 2025

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