Alex Cole-Hamilton
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Edinburgh Western (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Alex Cole-Hamilton
Contact details
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 11 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 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 7 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 September 2016 - 04 May 2021
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Deputy Convener
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
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]
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. Since 29 August 2022, I have used this part of my property to accommodate a person under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, for which I receive £350 a month as a “thank you” payment. [Amended interest 22 September 2022]
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: 2 February 2023
Cabinet (Meetings)
3. Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "When we are told to run from danger, our emergency workers run towards it. Last week, Edinburgh firefighter Barry Martin did just that and paid the ultimate price for so doing…
Chamber meeting date: 31 January 2023
Management of Transgender Individuals in Prison Custody
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "The Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that anyone who has committed sexually violent crimes and poses a risk to women should not be housed with women in the female prison estate, and that view is shared by Scottish Trans and Rape Crisis Scotland…
Chamber meeting date: 19 January 2023
Points of Order
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) rose—"
Chamber meeting date: 18 January 2023
Green Freeports
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "I warmly welcome the introduction of the freeport in the Forth estuary. On behalf of my colleagues in the far north, I congratulate the Cromarty Firth on the decision on that bid…
Chamber meeting date: 18 January 2023
National Health Service and Social Care
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD): "Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?"
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.
Budget (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill
Submitted by: John Swinney, Perthshire North, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Supported by: George Adam, Tom Arthur, Richard Lochhead, Ivan McKee, Lorna Slater, Nicola Sturgeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 2, 2023
Result 68 for, 56 against, 0 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Three Years On - Brexit and Workers’ Rights
Submitted by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, January 30, 2023
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Result 24 for, 96 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Three Years On - Brexit and Workers’ Rights
Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, January 30, 2023
Supported by: Tom Arthur, Ivan McKee, John Swinney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Result 90 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Supported by: Alexander Burnett, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Pam Gosal, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Ross, Sue Webber, Tess White
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Result 51 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Business Programme
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Supported by: Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Murdo Fraser, Jamie Greene, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Roz McCall, Liz Smith, Sue Webber
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Result 54 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
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: 20 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 1,300 charities are facing closure within the next 12 months due to the cost of living crisis, and whether it will provide details of any support it plans to offer such charities."
Answered by Shona Robison on 31 January 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 30 January 2023
"To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet."
Taken in the Chamber on 2 February 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13242 by Humza Yousaf on 11 January 2022, whether it has any plans to produce the cost information related to delayed discharge for the NHS again in the future."
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 January 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatient beds there are for children and adolescents with mental health problems, broken down by hospital."
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 30 January 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatrists undertook specialist training to work with children and young people in (a) 2013 and (b) 2017."
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 January 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatrists are currently in specialist training to work with children and young people."
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 January 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 27 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it plans to introduce a similar fare cap on Scottish bus travel to those introduced in parts of England."
Answer expected on 10 February 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 27 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a fare cap on Scottish train travel now that ScotRail is under public ownership."
Answer expected on 10 February 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what immediate action it is taking to provide additional provision, including more inpatient beds, for children and young people who require support for a mental health issue."
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 27 January 2023
Asked by: Cole-Hamilton, Alex, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 January 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Chief Dental Officer (CDO) advisory group, what work the group has undertaken, what the outcomes have been of this work, and whether the group has made any recommendations to the Scottish Government in relation to NHS Dental Services."
Answer expected on 9 February 2023
See all of Alex Cole-Hamilton's questions submitted in Parliament