Edinburgh returns new MSPs in Scottish Parliament Election 2026

The results for Edinburgh’s six city constituencies, along with the seven seats for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region were announced at the Royal Highland Centre yesterday (Friday 8 May).

The declarations were made by Paul Lawrence, Returning Officer for the Edinburgh constituencies, and Regional Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Lothians East.

The newly elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are listed below, with further details of the results available on the city council’s website:

Edinburgh Central: Lorna Jane Slater, Scottish Green Party (4,582 majority)

Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith: Ben Macpherson, Scottish National Party (3,071 majority)

Edinburgh North Western: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats (13,016 majority)

Edinburgh Northern: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Scottish Liberal Democrats (2,493 majority)

Edinburgh South Western: Simita Kumar, Scottish National Party (3,289 majority)

Edinburgh Southern: Daniel Guy Johnson, Scottish Labour Party (4,963 majority)

Edinburgh and Lothians East (Region):

  • Kate Nevens – Scottish Green Party
  • Angela Ross – Reform UK
  • Irshad Ahmed – Scottish Labour Party
  • Miles Briggs – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Q Manivannan – Scottish Green Party
  • Katherine Sangster – Scottish Labour Party
  • Kayleigh Ferguson Kinross-O’Neill – Scottish Green Party

Paul Lawrence, Constituency and Regional Returning Officer said: “I’d like to thank our colleagues in the Elections team and across the Council for their hard work and many months of planning in delivering this election.

“This is one of the most important duties that we carry out and truly is public service at its very best. I’d also like to thank Police Scotland, the candidates, agents, and media for working with us throughout the process.

“I wish our new MSPs the best of luck and I have no doubt they will represent our city, our region, and its residents with great pride. 

“Finally, I’d like to thank our residents for taking the time to cast their votes and make their voices heard.”

The total electorate for the city constituencies was 387,355, total votes cast 223,815, and turnout 57.8%.

For the region, the electorate was 564,571, total votes cast 320,286 and turnout 56.7%.

SCOTTISH RESULT:

SNP 58 (– 6 on 2021 results)

LABOUR 17 (- 4)

REFORM 17 (+ 17)

SCOTTISH GREENS 15 (+ 6)

CONSERVATIVE 12 (- 19)

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 10 (+ 6)

Jet fuel and travel plans: what you need to know

UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving

There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.

Do you need to change your travel plans?

There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.

Read about the latest action that government is taking to to protect summer holidays from disruption.

Are airlines cancelling lots of flights?

While there has been media reporting on flights cancelled internationally, Cirium has stated that its data shows only 0.53% of the UK’s planned flights for May 2026 have been cancelled. The Department for Transport (DfT) analysis of OAG data shows that only around 1,200 flights departing from the UK have been cancelled from 3 May to 14 June 2026. This represents less than 1% of planned flights over this period and is within the range of the number of cancellations we would expect within that period.

Airlines often change or remove a small number of flights based on demand and other operational factors, and we continue to monitor the situation. Reductions to summer flight schedules have predominantly been to countries in closer proximity to the Middle East due to the conflict.

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

  • depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
  • arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
  • arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.

How are airlines being supported?

At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

The government is also seeking industry views on slot rules for the summer 2026 and winter 2026 seasons. The temporary measures would allow airlines to consolidate schedules on routes with multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.

This means airlines can better plan ahead and focus on minimising disruption for passengers. It can also reduce fuel consumption by consolidating passengers onto fewer flights, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.

Electoral Commission: Post-Count statement

Following the conclusion of the Scottish Parliament election count, Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission, Scotland, said: “The verification and counting of votes for the Scottish Parliament election has now concluded, and all 73 constituencies and 8 regions have declared their results. their results. 

“Our initial assessment is that the count ran smoothly and took place transparently in the presence of candidates, their agents and the media. 

“Delivering the Scottish Parliament election is a considerable task, with around 2,500 polling places across Scotland and more than 4.3 million registered voters, including many 16- and 17-year-olds taking part for the first time. We want to thank the Electoral Management Board for Scotland, electoral administrators and Returning Officers across Scotland for their dedication and professionalism in delivering these well-run and accessible polls. 

“In the lead up to the poll, we joined with the Electoral Management Board and Police Scotland to call for a campaign free from abuse and intimidation, and the Commission published a new set of principles to guide campaigning at these elections. The abuse and intimidation of candidates, elected officials and electoral workers comes at a great personal cost and it is damaging to our democracy. 

“We have been alert to the spread of false information, including AI-generated content, but have not seen significant deepfakes affecting the Scottish Parliament election. We will now collect evidence from voters, candidates, campaigners and administrators, to better understand their experiences.

“We will publish our statutory report on the Scottish Parliament election in the autumn, recommending improvements to the system where necessary. 

“Thank you to everyone in Scotland who contributed to this being a free, fair and well-run election.”

CCTV appeal following disorder at Scottish Cup quarter final

Officers investigating disorder at the Scottish Cup Quarter Final have released CCTV images of 24 people they believe may be able to assist with their ongoing enquiries.

The match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, took place on Sunday, 8 March, 2026.

Those depicted or anyone who believes they may recognise them are asked to contact police, quoting incident number 0899 of 8 March, 2026.

Anyone with information can call 101 or can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be sent directly to the investigation team.

The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form to pass information, images and footage directly to the Major Investigation Team and can be accessed here: 

https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT26G03-PO1

Five further arrests after disorder at Scottish Cup quarter-final

POLICE investigating disorder at the Scottish Cup Quarter Final between Rangers and Celtic on Sunday, 8 March, 2026, have made five further arrests.

Four men, two aged 18, and others aged 26, and 46, along with a 17-year-old male youth, were arrested and charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct. One of the 18-year-olds was also charged with threatening and abusive behaviour.

They are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.

This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the disorder to 26.

Yarn-Bombed Postboxes Pop Up for David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday

This May, red post boxes across the UK have been transformed into colourful crochet tributes to British wildlife, marking Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.

Launched by Hobbycraft, the nationwide “yarn bombing” campaign sees handcrafted toppers appearing in key locations linked to Sir David’s life – from his current hometown of London to Cambridge, where he studied, and Leicester, where he grew up, as well as Edinburgh, Manchester, Bournemouth and Glasgow; turning everyday street furniture into joyful celebrations of nature.

The toppers will be dropping throughout the month of May.

Each topper features detailed scenes inspired by British wildlife, including bees, squirrels, and woodland habitats, designed to delight passers-by and spark conversations about the natural world.

The postbox topper installations were created by Hobbycraft’s Knitcraft expert Natalie Beard @sewing_the_seeds_of_love, who said: “Each topper is a celebration of Sir David’s incredible legacy and the wildlife he’s spent his life championing.

“We hope they inspire people to get creative and connect with nature. Hobbycraft has everything you need to get crafting.”

At the end of May, the toppers will be donated or auctioned to raise funds for environmental charities.

Ben Macpherson holds Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith

LEES, David – Reform UK: 2,746

MACPHERSON, Ben – Scottish National Party (SNP): 13,630

NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party: 10,559

OWEN, Liss – Scottish Liberal Democrats: 1,895

THOMAS, Oliver Philip – Scottish Labour Party: 7,894

YOUNG, Haris – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party: 1,297.

Ben Macpherson (SNP) has been duly elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith constituency with 13,630 votes.

SNP HOLD

Alex Cole-Hamilton returned in Edinburgh North Western

AHMED, Irshad – Scottish Labour Party: 1,879

CAIRNS, Rachel – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party: 1,749

COLE-HAMILTON, Alex – Scottish Liberal Democrats: 22,959

HENRY, David – Scottish Workers Party of Britain: 268

JARDINE, Lyn Ann – Scottish National Party (SNP): 9,943

THOMSON, Davie – Reform UK: 3,342

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Scottish Liberal Democrats) has been duly elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh North Western constituency with 22,959 votes.

LIB-DEM HOLD

Scottish Greens win Edinburgh Central

LORNA SLATER WINS HISTORIC VICTORY

MOWAT, Jo – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party: 2,262

MURRAY, Craig John – Alliance to Liberate Scotland: 150

NEILL, Gary – Reform UK: 1,876

POWNALL, Robert Neil – Independent: 41

ROBERTSON, Angus – Scottish National Party (SNP): 7,702

SLATER, Lorna – Scottish Green Party: 12,680

Lorna Jane Slater (Scottish Green Party) has been duly elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh Central constituency with 12,680 votes

SCOTTISH GREENS GAIN

Labour holds Edinburgh Southern

ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Patricia – Scottish Liberal Democrats: 3,334

BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP): 12,000

JOHNSON, Daniel Guy – Scottish Labour Party: 16,963

MUNRO, Marie-Clair – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party: 3,421

TURNER, Charles – Reform UK: 3,317

WILKINSON, Marc – Edinburgh & East Lothian People: 524

Daniel Guy Johnson (Scottish Labour Party) has been duly elected as Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh Southern constituency with 16,963 votes

LABOUR HOLD

Police appeal for information following crash on the A720

Police are appealing for information following a serious crash on the A720 city bypass, Edinburgh. Around 1.10pm on Thursday, 7 May, 2026, we received a report of a crash involving a red, white and blue Honda CBR 1000RR motorcycle near the Hermiston Junction.

Emergency services attended and the 30-year-old male rider was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The road was closed to allow enquiries to be carried out and reopened around 2.30pm.

Constable Josh Allan said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this crash.

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash and who hasn’t already spoken to officers to contact us.

“I would also ask anyone who was in the area and saw the motorcycle prior to the crash or who may have dash cam footage which could assist to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1652 of Thursday, 7 May, 2026.