This is a list of members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who were returned to the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. Of the 129 MSPs returned at the 2016 general election, 73 were returned from first past the post constituencies with a further 56 members returned from eight regions, each electing seven MSPs as a form of mixed member proportional representation.

5th Scottish Parliament
4th Scottish Parliament 6th Scottish Parliament
Members elected to the Scottish Parliament on 5 May 2016
Overview
Legislative bodyScottish Parliament
JurisdictionScotland
Meeting placeScottish Parliament Building
Term12 May 2016 – 5 May 2021[1]
Election2016
GovernmentSecond Sturgeon government
Members129
Presiding OfficerRt Hon Ken Macintosh
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Deputy First MinisterJohn Swinney
Leader of the OppositionRuth Davidson (2016–18)
Jackson Carlaw (2018–19)
Ruth Davidson (2019)
Jackson Carlaw (2019–20)
Ruth Davidson (2020–21)

Parliament reconvened on 12 May 2016 with the swearing-in of MSPs and the election of the presiding officer and two deputy presiding officers.[2] Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the fifth session on 2 July 2016.[3]

The Queen speaking at the opening ceremony

Composition

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Party May 2016
election
May 2021
dissolution
Scottish National Party 63 61
Scottish Conservatives 31 30
Scottish Labour 24 23
Scottish Greens 6 5
Scottish Liberal Democrats 5 5
Reform UK 0 1
Independent 0 3
Presiding Officer 0 1
Total 129
Government majority −3 −6

Government parties denoted with bullets (•)

Graphical representation

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These are graphical representations of the Scottish Parliament showing a comparison of party strengths as it was directly after the 2016 general election and its composition at dissolution:

   

  • Note this is not the official seating plan of the Scottish Parliament.

List of MSPs

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This is a list of MSPs. The changes table below records all changes in party affiliation during the session, since the May 2016 election.

Name Image Member for Type Party
George Adam   Paisley Constituency Scottish National Party
Clare Adamson   Motherwell and Wishaw Constituency Scottish National Party
Alasdair Allan   Na h-Eileanan an Iar Constituency Scottish National Party
Tom Arthur   Renfrewshire South Constituency Scottish National Party
Jackie Baillie   Dumbarton Constituency Scottish Labour Party
Claire Baker   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Labour Party
Jeremy Balfour   Lothian Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Michelle Ballantyne   South Scotland
(since 23/05/17)
Regional Reform UK
Claudia Beamish   South Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Colin Beattie   Midlothian North and Musselburgh Constituency Scottish National Party
Neil Bibby   West Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Bill Bowman   North East Scotland
(since 21/12/16)
Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Sarah Boyack   Lothian Regional Scottish Labour Party
Miles Briggs   Lothian Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Keith Brown   Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Constituency Scottish National Party
Alexander Burnett   Aberdeenshire West Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Donald Cameron   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Aileen Campbell   Clydesdale Constituency Scottish National Party
Jackson Carlaw   Eastwood Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Finlay Carson   Galloway and West Dumfries Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Peter Chapman   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Willie Coffey   Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley Constituency Scottish National Party
Alex Cole-Hamilton   Edinburgh Western Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Angela Constance   Almond Valley Constituency Scottish National Party
Maurice Corry   West Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Bruce Crawford   Stirling Constituency Scottish National Party
Roseanna Cunningham   Perthshire South and Kinross-shire Constituency Scottish National Party
Ruth Davidson   Edinburgh Central Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ash Denham   Edinburgh Eastern Constituency Scottish National Party
Graeme Dey   Angus South Constituency Scottish National Party
Bob Doris   Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn Constituency Scottish National Party
James Dornan   Glasgow Cathcart Constituency Scottish National Party
Annabelle Ewing   Cowdenbeath Constituency Scottish National Party
Fergus Ewing   Inverness and Nairn Constituency Scottish National Party
Linda Fabiani   East Kilbride Constituency Scottish National Party
Mary Fee   West Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Neil Findlay   Lothian Regional Scottish Labour Party
John Finnie   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Green Party
Joe FitzPatrick   Dundee City West Constituency Scottish National Party
Kate Forbes   Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Constituency Scottish National Party
Murdo Fraser   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Jeane Freeman   Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Constituency Scottish National Party
Kenneth Gibson   Cunninghame North Constituency Scottish National Party
Jenny Gilruth   Mid Fife and Glenrothes Constituency Scottish National Party
Maurice Golden   West Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Mairi Gougeon (elected as Mairi Evans)   Angus North and Mearns Constituency Scottish National Party
Christine Grahame   Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Constituency Scottish National Party
Rhoda Grant   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Labour Party
Iain Gray   East Lothian Constituency Scottish Labour Party
Jamie Greene   West Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ross Greer   West Scotland Regional Scottish Green Party
Mark Griffin   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Jamie Halcro Johnston   Highlands and Islands
(since 20/06/17)
Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Rachael Hamilton   Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Emma Harper   South Scotland Regional Scottish National Party
Alison Harris   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Patrick Harvie   Glasgow Regional Scottish Green Party
Clare Haughey   Rutherglen Constituency Scottish National Party
Jamie Hepburn   Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Constituency Scottish National Party
Fiona Hyslop   Linlithgow Constituency Scottish National Party
Daniel Johnson   Edinburgh Southern Constituency Scottish Labour Party
Alison Johnstone   Lothian Regional Scottish Green Party
James Kelly   Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Liam Kerr   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Bill Kidd   Glasgow Anniesland Constituency Scottish National Party
Johann Lamont   Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Monica Lennon   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Richard Leonard   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Gordon Lindhurst   Lothian Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Richard Lochhead   Moray Constituency Scottish National Party
Dean Lockhart   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Richard Lyle   Uddingston and Bellshill Constituency Scottish National Party
Angus MacDonald   Falkirk East Constituency Scottish National Party
Gordon MacDonald   Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency Scottish National Party
Lewis Macdonald   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Fulton MacGregor   Coatbridge and Chryston Constituency Scottish National Party
Ken Macintosh   West Scotland Regional Presiding Officer
Derek Mackay   Renfrewshire North and West Constituency Independent
Rona Mackay   Strathkelvin and Bearsden Constituency Scottish National Party
Ben Macpherson   Edinburgh North and Leith Constituency Scottish National Party
Ruth Maguire   Cunninghame South Constituency Scottish National Party
Jenny Marra   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Gillian Martin   Aberdeenshire East Constituency Scottish National Party
John Mason   Glasgow Shettleston Constituency Scottish National Party
Tom Mason   North East Scotland
(since 20/06/17)
Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Michael Matheson   Falkirk West Constituency Scottish National Party
Joan McAlpine   South Scotland Regional Scottish National Party
Liam McArthur   Orkney Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Mark McDonald   Aberdeen Donside Constituency Independent
Ivan McKee   Glasgow Provan Constituency Scottish National Party
Christina McKelvie   Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Constituency Scottish National Party
Stuart McMillan   Greenock and Inverclyde Constituency Scottish National Party
Pauline McNeill   Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Margaret Mitchell   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Edward Mountain   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Oliver Mundell   Dumfriesshire Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Alex Neil   Airdrie and Shotts Constituency Scottish National Party
Gil Paterson   Clydebank and Milngavie Constituency Scottish National Party
Willie Rennie   North East Fife Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Shona Robison   Dundee City East Constituency Scottish National Party
Gail Ross   Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Constituency Scottish National Party
Alex Rowley   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Labour Party
Mike Rumbles   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Liberal Democrats
Mark Ruskell   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Green Party
Michael Russell   Argyll and Bute Constituency Scottish National Party
Anas Sarwar   Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
John Scott   Ayr Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Graham Simpson   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Elaine Smith   Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Liz Smith   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Colin Smyth   South Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Shirley-Anne Somerville   Dunfermline Constituency Scottish National Party
Stewart Stevenson   Banffshire and Buchan Coast Constituency Scottish National Party
Alexander Stewart   Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
David Stewart   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Labour Party
Kevin Stewart   Aberdeen Central Constituency Scottish National Party
Nicola Sturgeon   Glasgow Southside Constituency Scottish National Party
John Swinney   Perthshire North Constituency Scottish National Party
Maree Todd   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish National Party
Adam Tomkins   Glasgow Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
David Torrance   Kirkcaldy Constituency Scottish National Party
Maureen Watt   Aberdeen South and North Kincardine Constituency Scottish National Party
Annie Wells   Glasgow Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Paul Wheelhouse   South Scotland Regional Scottish National Party
Sandra White   Glasgow Kelvin Constituency Scottish National Party
Brian Whittle   South Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Andy Wightman   Lothian Regional Independent
Beatrice Wishart   Shetland Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Humza Yousaf   Glasgow Pollok Constituency Scottish National Party

Former MSPs

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Name Image Member for Type Party Notes
Kezia Dugdale   Lothian Regional Scottish Labour Party Resigned 15 July 2019
Alex Johnstone   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Died 7 December 2016
John Lamont   Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Resigned 27 April 2017
Douglas Ross   Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Resigned 11 June 2017
Tavish Scott   Shetland Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats Resigned 15 July 2019
Ross Thomson   North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Resigned 12 June 2017

Changes

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Date Constituency/region Gain Loss Note
12 May 2016 West Scotland Presiding Officer Labour Ken Macintosh was elected Presiding Officer and consequently had to renounce his party affiliation.[4][5]
7 December 2016 North East Scotland Conservative Conservative Alex Johnstone died on 7 December 2016, aged 55.[6] It was announced on 13 December that the Conservatives had nominated Bill Bowman to replace Johnstone.[7] Bowman was sworn in on 21 December.[8]
27 April 2017 Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Conservative Conservative John Lamont resigned his seat, effective 4 May 2017, in order to contest the 2017 UK general election.[9] This triggered a by-election in his Scottish Parliament seat, which was held on the same day as the UK general election (8 June 2017).[9] Rachael Hamilton won the seat.
2 May 2017 South Scotland Conservative Conservative Rachael Hamilton resigned her list seat in order to contest the 2017 Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire by-election on 8 June.[10] She was replaced by Michelle Ballantyne,[11] who was sworn in on 23 May.[12]
11 June 2017 Highlands and Islands Conservative Conservative Douglas Ross resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, having won election to the UK Parliament in the 2017 general election.[13] Ross was succeeded by Jamie Halcro Johnston, who was sworn in on 20 June.[14]
12 June 2017 North East Scotland Conservative Conservative Ross Thomson resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, having won election to the UK Parliament in the 2017 general election.[13] Thomson was succeeded by Tom Mason, who was sworn in on 20 June.[14]
15 November 2017 Mid Scotland and Fife Independent Labour Alex Rowley was suspended by Labour due to allegations about his conduct.[15]
16 November 2017 Aberdeen Donside Independent SNP Mark McDonald was suspended by the SNP due to allegations about his conduct,[16] and he subsequently resigned his membership of the SNP.[17]
19 December 2017 Mid Scotland and Fife Labour Independent Alex Rowley was reinstated by Labour.[18]
15 July 2019 Lothian Labour Labour Kezia Dugdale resigned her seat in the Scottish Parliament, taking a job with a think-tank.[19] Dugale was succeeded by Sarah Boyack.[19]
15 July 2019 Shetland Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Tavish Scott resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, taking a job with Scottish Rugby.[20] This triggered a by-election, which was won Beatrice Wishart.
6 February 2020 Renfrewshire North and West Independent SNP Derek Mackay was suspended by the SNP due to allegations about his conduct.[21]
24 November 2020 South Scotland Independent Conservative Michelle Ballantyne left the Conservative Party due to disagreements over policy relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.[22]
18 December 2020 Lothian Independent Scottish Green Andy Wightman resigned from the Scottish Green Party due to disagreements over policy relating to transgender rights.[23]
11 January 2021 South Scotland Reform UK Independent Michelle Ballantyne joined Reform UK (formerly known as the Brexit Party) and was appointed leader of Reform UK Scotland.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Act 2021". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  2. ^ Vevers, Den (12 May 2016). "MSPs sworn in as Scottish Parliament resumes business". STV News. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Queen urges calm in 'challenging world'". BBC News. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Ken Macintosh chosen as Holyrood presiding officer". BBC News. BBC. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  5. ^ Brooks, Libby (12 May 2016). "Ken Macintosh elected as presiding officer of Scottish parliament". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone dies aged 55". BBC News. BBC. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Replacement for late MSP Alex Johnstone announced as Bill Bowman". BBC News. BBC. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  8. ^ "New Conservative MSP Bill Bowman takes his oath of allegiance". BBC News. BBC. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Tory MSP to quit Holyrood to stand for Westminster". BBC News. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  10. ^ "MSP Rachael Hamilton quits to fight Holyrood by-election". BBC News. BBC. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  11. ^ Freeman, Tom (18 May 2017). "Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne is new Tory MSP". Holyrood Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  12. ^ "New Conservative MSP sworn in at Holyrood". BBC News. BBC. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Newly-elected Tory MPs quit Holyrood for Westminster". BBC News. BBC. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Two new Conservative MSPs sworn in at Holyrood". BBC News. BBC. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Labour suspends deputy leader Alex Rowley during conduct probe". BBC News. BBC. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  16. ^ "SNP suspends former government minister". BBC News. BBC. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  17. ^ "Mark McDonald quits SNP but continues as MSP". BBC News. BBC. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Leonard unveils new Scottish Labour front bench team". BBC News. BBC. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Sarah Boyack to return to Holyrood as Labour MSP". BBC News. BBC. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Former Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott to quit Holyrood". BBC News. BBC. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Derek Mackay: Scottish finance secretary quits over messages to boy". BBC News. BBC. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  22. ^ "MSP Michelle Ballantyne quits Scottish Tories". BBC News. BBC. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Andy Wightman quits Scottish Greens over trans rights stance". BBC News. BBC. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Former Tory MSP to lead Scots wing of rebranded Brexit Party". BBC News. BBC. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
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