Alex Cole-Hamilton
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Edinburgh Western (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Alex Cole-Hamilton
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: edinburghlibdems.org
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
Education, Children and Young People Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Alex is a member of 12 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 MS
Member
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 5 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
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 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 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 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
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]
I was formerly a Convener and Director of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights).
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: 18 April 2024
Climate Change Committee Scotland Report
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "What the cabinet secretary describes as a minor legislative amendment is, in fact, a monstrous generational betrayal by the SNP and its Green partners…
Chamber meeting date: 17 April 2024
Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land
5. Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the register of persons holding a controlled interest in land since it launched on 1 April 2022. (S6O-03296)"
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee meeting date: 17 April 2024
Redress Scheme (Fornethy House Residential School) (PE1933)
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "It is."
Chamber meeting date: 16 April 2024
Scotland’s International Culture Strategy
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "On behalf of Scottish Liberal Democrats, I echo the comments that have been made on the loss of Scott Williamson. I am grateful to Angus Robertson for making Government time available to debate culture and the Government’s culture strategy…
Chamber meeting date: 26 March 2024
Women’s State Pension Age (Poverty Rate)
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "I am sure that members across the chamber will agree that time matters in the situation…
See all of Alex Cole-Hamilton's contributions in the chamber
Votes
How Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted in Parliament
Find out how Alex Cole-Hamilton has voted recently.
Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, April 18, 2024
Result 20 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Business Programme
Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Alexander Burnett, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Pam Gosal, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Liam Kerr, Douglas Ross, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 53 for, 60 against, 5 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 88 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Repealing the Hate Crime Act
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, April 15, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 64 for, 29 against, 25 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Repealing the Hate Crime Act
Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Supported by: Katy Clark
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Result 20 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Alex Cole-Hamilton in Parliament
Find out what motions Alex Cole-Hamilton has submitted recently.
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.
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 19 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of any impact on (a) buildings and (b) contents insurance of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being identified in a property, and whether it has any plans to provide guidance or support in relation to this matter."
Answer expected on 3 May 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land since it launched on 1 April 2022."
Taken in the Chamber on 17 April 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how much money would have been allocated to GPs through the GP Premises Sustainability Fund over the current financial year that will now not be allocated."
Answer expected on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25624 by Angela Constance on 18 March 2024, whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding a possible UK-wide Bill, and when it expects to bring forward any Scottish legislation if such an approach is required."
Answer expected on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 8 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its reported decision to suspend the GP Premises Sustainability Fund, how many applications for such loans to GPs have been processed since the scheme was introduced in 2018, and how many applications remain outstanding."
Answer expected on 7 May 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on cancer research in each year since 2011-12 in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms, broken down by spending through (i) NHS Research Scotland and (ii) other routes."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 8 April 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how many cancer nurses have been employed by each NHS board in each year since 2011-12."
Answer expected on 2 May 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 April 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government with which governments the First Minister raised any (a) general and (b) specific human rights issues, during his meeting with the Council of Arab Ambassadors in March 2024."
Answered by Angus Robertson on 27 March 2024
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 13 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the remaining funding from the £10 million Long COVID Support Fund will be allocated in 2024-25, and when any such funding will be allocated."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 March 2024
See all of Alex Cole-Hamilton's questions submitted in Parliament