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5th Scottish Parliament
← 4th Scottish Parliament 6th Scottish Parliament →
Members elected to the 5th Scottish Parliament.jpg
Members elected to the Scottish Parliament on 5 May 2016
Overview
Legislative body Scottish Parliament
Jurisdiction Scotland
Meeting place Scottish Parliament Building
Term 12 May 2016 – 5 May 2021
Election 2016
Government Second Sturgeon government
Members 129
Presiding Officer Rt Hon Ken Macintosh
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Deputy First Minister John Swinney
Leader of the Opposition Ruth Davidson (2016–18)
Jackson Carlaw (2018–19)
Ruth Davidson (2019)
Jackson Carlaw (2019–20)
Ruth Davidson (2020–21)

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.

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

Opening Ceremony 2016 - Scottish Parliament- 2nd July 2016 (3)
The Queen speaking at the opening ceremony

Composition

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

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:

Scottish Parliament elected members, 2016.svg Scottish parliament members at dissolution in 2021.svg

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


List of MSPs

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
Adam, GeorgeGeorge Adam GeorgeAdamMSP20110511.jpg Paisley Constituency Scottish National Party
Adamson, ClareClare Adamson ClareAdamsonMSP20110507.JPG Motherwell and Wishaw Constituency Scottish National Party
Allan, AlasdairAlasdair Allan AlasdairAllanMSP20120530.jpg Na h-Eileanan an Iar Constituency Scottish National Party
Arthur, TomTom Arthur Tom Arthur.jpg Renfrewshire South Constituency Scottish National Party
Baillie, JackieJackie Baillie JackieBaillieMSP.jpg Dumbarton Constituency Scottish Labour Party
Baker, ClaireClaire Baker ClaireBakerMSP20110825.jpg Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Labour Party
Balfour, JeremyJeremy Balfour Jeremy Balfour MSP.jpg Lothian Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ballantyne, MichelleMichelle Ballantyne MichelleBallantyneMSP.jpg South Scotland
(since 23/05/17)		 Regional Reform UK
Beamish, ClaudiaClaudia Beamish ClaudiaBeamishMSP20110510.JPG South Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Beattie, ColinColin Beattie Colin Beattie.JPG Midlothian North and Musselburgh Constituency Scottish National Party
Bibby, NeilNeil Bibby Neil Bibby.JPG West Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Bowman, BillBill Bowman Bill Bowman MSP.jpg North East Scotland
(since 21/12/16)		 Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Boyack, SarahSarah Boyack Sarah Boyack MSP 2011.jpg Lothian Regional Scottish Labour Party
Briggs, MilesMiles Briggs Miles Briggs.jpg Lothian Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Brown, KeithKeith Brown Keith Brown.JPG Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Constituency Scottish National Party
Burnett, AlexanderAlexander Burnett Alexander Burnett.jpg Aberdeenshire West Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Cameron, DonaldDonald Cameron Donald Cameron MSP.jpg Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Campbell, AileenAileen Campbell Aileen Campbell.jpg Clydesdale Constituency Scottish National Party
Carlaw, JacksonJackson Carlaw JacksonCarlawMSP20110509.JPG Eastwood Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Carson, FinlayFinlay Carson FinlayCarsonMSP.jpg Galloway and West Dumfries Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Chapman, PeterPeter Chapman Peter Chapman.jpg North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Coffey, WillieWillie Coffey WillieCoffeyMSP20120523.jpg Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley Constituency Scottish National Party
Cole-Hamilton, AlexAlex Cole-Hamilton AlexCole-HamiltonMSP.jpg Edinburgh Western Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Constance, AngelaAngela Constance AngelaConstanceMSP20110510.JPG Almond Valley Constituency Scottish National Party
Corry, MauriceMaurice Corry MauriceCorryMSP.jpg West Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Crawford, BruceBruce Crawford BruceCrawfordMSP20110509.JPG Stirling Constituency Scottish National Party
Cunningham, RoseannaRoseanna Cunningham RoseannaCunningham20110615.jpg Perthshire South and Kinross-shire Constituency Scottish National Party
Davidson, RuthRuth Davidson RuthDavidsonMSP.jpg Edinburgh Central Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Denham, AshAsh Denham AshDenhamMSP-May2016.jpg Edinburgh Eastern Constituency Scottish National Party
Dey, GraemeGraeme Dey GraemeDeyMSP20110507.jpg Angus South Constituency Scottish National Party
Doris, BobBob Doris BobDorisMSP20110507.JPG Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn Constituency Scottish National Party
Dornan, JamesJames Dornan JamesDornanMSP20110507.JPG Glasgow Cathcart Constituency Scottish National Party
Ewing, AnnabelleAnnabelle Ewing AnnabelleEwingMSP20110510.JPG Cowdenbeath Constituency Scottish National Party
Ewing, FergusFergus Ewing FergusEwingMSP20110509.JPG Inverness and Nairn Constituency Scottish National Party
Fabiani, LindaLinda Fabiani LindaFabianiMSP20110507.JPG East Kilbride Constituency Scottish National Party
Fee, MaryMary Fee MaryFeeMSP20110510.JPG West Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Findlay, NeilNeil Findlay NeilFindlayMSP20110510.JPG Lothian Regional Scottish Labour Party
Finnie, JohnJohn Finnie JohnFinnie261012.jpg Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Green Party
FitzPatrick, JoeJoe FitzPatrick JoeFitzPatrickMSP20110511.JPG Dundee City West Constituency Scottish National Party
Forbes, KateKate Forbes KateForbesMSP-May2016.jpg Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Constituency Scottish National Party
Fraser, MurdoMurdo Fraser MurdoFraserMSP20110510.JPG Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Freeman, JeaneJeane Freeman JeaneFreemanMSP.jpg Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Constituency Scottish National Party
Gibson, KennethKenneth Gibson KennethGibsonMSP20110507.JPG Cunninghame North Constituency Scottish National Party
Gilruth, JennyJenny Gilruth JennyGilruthMSP-May2016.jpg Mid Fife and Glenrothes Constituency Scottish National Party
Golden, MauriceMaurice Golden MauriceGoldenMSP.jpg West Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Mairi Gougeon (elected as Mairi Evans) MairiEvansMSP-May2016.jpg Angus North and Mearns Constituency Scottish National Party
Grahame, ChristineChristine Grahame ChristineGrahameMSP20110510.JPG Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Constituency Scottish National Party
Grant, RhodaRhoda Grant RhodaGrantMSP20110511.JPG Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Labour Party
Gray, IainIain Gray IainGrayMSP20110510.JPG East Lothian Constituency Scottish Labour Party
Greene, JamieJamie Greene JamieGreeneMSP.jpg West Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Greer, RossRoss Greer RossGreerMSP.JPG West Scotland Regional Scottish Green Party
Griffin, MarkMark Griffin MarkGriffinMSP20110510.JPG Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Halcro Johnston, JamieJamie Halcro Johnston JamieHalcroJohnstonMSP.jpg Highlands and Islands
(since 20/06/17)		 Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Hamilton, RachaelRachael Hamilton RachaelHamiltonMSP.jpg Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Harper, EmmaEmma Harper EmmaHarperMSP-May2016.jpg South Scotland Regional Scottish National Party
Harris, AlisonAlison Harris AlisonHarrisMSP.jpg Central Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Harvie, PatrickPatrick Harvie PatrickHarvieMSP20110510.JPG Glasgow Regional Scottish Green Party
Haughey, ClareClare Haughey ClareHaugheyMSP-May2016.jpg Rutherglen Constituency Scottish National Party
Hepburn, JamieJamie Hepburn JamieHepburnMSP20110511.JPG Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Constituency Scottish National Party
Hyslop, FionaFiona Hyslop FionaHyslopMSP20110511.JPG Linlithgow Constituency Scottish National Party
Johnson, DanielDaniel Johnson David Johnson MSP.jpg Edinburgh Southern Constituency Scottish Labour Party
Johnstone, AlisonAlison Johnstone AlisonJohnstoneMSP20120119.jpg Lothian Regional Scottish Green Party
Kelly, JamesJames Kelly JamesKellyMSP20120223.jpg Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Kerr, LiamLiam Kerr Liam Kerr MSP.jpg North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Kidd, BillBill Kidd BillKiddMSP20070509.jpg Glasgow Anniesland Constituency Scottish National Party
Lamont, JohannJohann Lamont JohannLamontMSP20110511.JPG Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Lennon, MonicaMonica Lennon Monica Lennon (25935373444) (1).jpg Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Leonard, RichardRichard Leonard RichardLeonardMSP.jpg Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Lindhurst, GordonGordon Lindhurst Gordon Lindhurst MSP.jpg Lothian Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Lochhead, RichardRichard Lochhead RichardLochheadMSP20110511.jpg Moray Constituency Scottish National Party
Lockhart, DeanDean Lockhart DeanLockhartMSP.jpg Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Lyle, RichardRichard Lyle RichardLyleMSP20120127.jpg Uddingston and Bellshill Constituency Scottish National Party
MacDonald, AngusAngus MacDonald AngusMacDonaldMSP20110510.JPG Falkirk East Constituency Scottish National Party
MacDonald, GordonGordon MacDonald GordonMacDonaldMSP20120529.jpg Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency Scottish National Party
Macdonald, LewisLewis Macdonald LewisMacdonaldMSP20110510.JPG North East Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
MacGregor, FultonFulton MacGregor Fulton MacGregor MSP.jpg Coatbridge and Chryston Constituency Scottish National Party
Macintosh, KenKen Macintosh KenMacintoshMSP20110511.jpg West Scotland Regional Presiding Officer
Mackay, DerekDerek Mackay DerekMacKayMSP20110509.JPG Renfrewshire North and West Constituency Independent
Mackay, RonaRona Mackay Rona Mackay MSP.jpg Strathkelvin and Bearsden Constituency Scottish National Party
Macpherson, BenBen Macpherson BenMacphersonMSP-May2016.jpg Edinburgh North and Leith Constituency Scottish National Party
Maguire, RuthRuth Maguire RuthMaguireMSP-Nov2016.jpg Cunninghame South Constituency Scottish National Party
Marra, JennyJenny Marra JennyMarraMSP20110511.JPG North East Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Martin, GillianGillian Martin GillianMartinMSP-May2016.jpg Aberdeenshire East Constituency Scottish National Party
Mason, JohnJohn Mason JohnMasonMSP20110509.JPG Glasgow Shettleston Constituency Scottish National Party
Mason, TomTom Mason Tom Mason MSP.jpg North East Scotland
(since 20/06/17)		 Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Matheson, MichaelMichael Matheson MichaelMathesonMSP20110507.JPG Falkirk West Constituency Scottish National Party
McAlpine, JoanJoan McAlpine JoanMcAlpineMSP20120529.jpg South Scotland Regional Scottish National Party
McArthur, LiamLiam McArthur LiamMcArthurMSP20110510.JPG Orkney Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
McDonald, MarkMark McDonald MarkMcDonaldMSP20110507.JPG Aberdeen Donside Constituency Independent
McKee, IvanIvan McKee IvanMcKeeMSP-May2016.jpg Glasgow Provan Constituency Scottish National Party
McKelvie, ChristinaChristina McKelvie ChristinaMcKelvieMSP20110510.JPG Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Constituency Scottish National Party
McMillan, StuartStuart McMillan StuartMcMillanMSP20110510.JPG Greenock and Inverclyde Constituency Scottish National Party
McNeill, PaulinePauline McNeill Pauline McNeill.jpg Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Mitchell, MargaretMargaret Mitchell MargaretMitchellMSP20120529.jpg Central Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Mountain, EdwardEdward Mountain Edward Mountain MSP.jpg Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Mundell, OliverOliver Mundell Oliver Mundell 2016.jpg Dumfriesshire Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Neil, AlexAlex Neil AlexNeilMSP20110507.jpg Airdrie and Shotts Constituency Scottish National Party
Paterson, GilGil Paterson GilPatersonMSP20110510.JPG Clydebank and Milngavie Constituency Scottish National Party
Rennie, WillieWillie Rennie WillieRennieMSP20110510.JPG North East Fife Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Robison, ShonaShona Robison ShonaRobisonMSP20110511.jpg Dundee City East Constituency Scottish National Party
Ross, GailGail Ross GailRossMSP-May2016.jpg Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Constituency Scottish National Party
Rowley, AlexAlex Rowley Alex Rowley in the Scottish Parliament 2016.jpg Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Labour Party
Rumbles, MikeMike Rumbles Mike Rumbles.jpg North East Scotland Regional Scottish Liberal Democrats
Ruskell, MarkMark Ruskell MarkRuskellMSP-May2016.jpg Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Green Party
Russell, MichaelMichael Russell MichaelRussellMSP20110507.JPG Argyll and Bute Constituency Scottish National Party
Sarwar, AnasAnas Sarwar AnasSarwarMP-crop.jpg Glasgow Regional Scottish Labour Party
Scott, JohnJohn Scott JohnScottMSP20110509.JPG Ayr Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Simpson, GrahamGraham Simpson Graham Simpson.jpg Central Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Smith, ElaineElaine Smith ElaineSmithMSP20120524.jpg Central Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Smith, LizLiz Smith ElizabethSmithMSP20110508.JPG Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Smyth, ColinColin Smyth Colin Smyth MSP.jpg South Scotland Regional Scottish Labour Party
Somerville, Shirley-AnneShirley-Anne Somerville Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley Anne Sommerville.png Dunfermline Constituency Scottish National Party
Stevenson, StewartStewart Stevenson StewartStevensonMSP20110510.JPG Banffshire and Buchan Coast Constituency Scottish National Party
Stewart, AlexanderAlexander Stewart Alexander Stewart MSP.jpg Mid Scotland and Fife Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Stewart, DavidDavid Stewart DavidStewartMSP20110511.JPG Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Labour Party
Stewart, KevinKevin Stewart KevinStewartMSP20110507.JPG Aberdeen Central Constituency Scottish National Party
Sturgeon, NicolaNicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon election infobox.jpg Glasgow Southside Constituency Scottish National Party
Swinney, JohnJohn Swinney JohnSwinneyMSP20110510.JPG Perthshire North Constituency Scottish National Party
Todd, MareeMaree Todd Maree Todd MSP - May 2016.jpg Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish National Party
Tomkins, AdamAdam Tomkins Adam Tomkins MSP.jpg Glasgow Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Torrance, DavidDavid Torrance DavidTorranceMSP20111207.jpg Kirkcaldy Constituency Scottish National Party
Watt, MaureenMaureen Watt MaureenWatt20110507.JPG Aberdeen South and North Kincardine Constituency Scottish National Party
Wells, AnnieAnnie Wells AnnieWellsMSP.jpg Glasgow Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Wheelhouse, PaulPaul Wheelhouse PaulWheelhouseMSP20110507.JPG South Scotland Regional Scottish National Party
White, SandraSandra White SandraWhiteMSP20110510.JPG Glasgow Kelvin Constituency Scottish National Party
Whittle, BrianBrian Whittle BrianWhittleMSP.jpg South Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Wightman, AndyAndy Wightman AndyWightmanMSP.JPG Lothian Regional Independent
Wishart, BeatriceBeatrice Wishart Beatrice Wishart MSP.jpg Shetland Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats
Yousaf, HumzaHumza Yousaf HumzaYousafMSP20110507.JPG Glasgow Pollok Constituency Scottish National Party

Former MSPs

Name Image Member for Type Party Notes
Dugdale, KeziaKezia Dugdale KeziaDugdaleMSP20110509.JPG Lothian Regional Scottish Labour Party Resigned 15 July 2019
Johnstone, AlexAlex Johnstone AlexJohnstoneMSP20110509.JPG North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Died 7 December 2016
Lamont, JohnJohn Lamont JohnLamontMSP20110510.JPG Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Resigned 4 May 2017
Ross, DouglasDouglas Ross Douglas Ross MSP.jpg Highlands and Islands Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Resigned 13 June 2017
Tavish Scott TavishScottMSP20110510.JPG Shetland Constituency Scottish Liberal Democrats Resigned July 2019
Thomson, RossRoss Thomson Ross Thomson.png North East Scotland Regional Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Resigned 13 June 2017

Changes

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.
7 December 2016 North East Scotland Conservative Conservative Alex Johnstone died on 7 December 2016, aged 55. It was announced on 13 December that the Conservatives had nominated Bill Bowman to replace Johnstone. Bowman was sworn in on 21 December.
4 May 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. 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). Rachael Hamilton won the seat.
4 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. She was replaced by Michelle Ballantyne, who was sworn in on 23 May.
13 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. Ross was succeeded by Jamie Halcro Johnston, who was sworn in on 20 June.
13 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. Thomson was succeeded by Tom Mason, who was sworn in on 20 June.
15 November 2017 Mid Scotland and Fife Independent Labour Alex Rowley was suspended by Labour due to allegations about his conduct.
16 November 2017 Aberdeen Donside Independent SNP Mark McDonald was suspended by the SNP due to allegations about his conduct, and he subsequently resigned his membership of the SNP.
19 December 2017 Mid Scotland and Fife Labour Independent Alex Rowley was reinstated by Labour.
15 July 2019 Lothian Labour Labour Kezia Dugdale resigned her seat in the Scottish Parliament, taking a job with a think-tank. Dugale was succeeded by Sarah Boyack.
30 August 2019 Shetland Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats Tavish Scott resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament, taking a job with Scottish Rugby. 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.
24 November 2020 South Scotland Independent Conservative Michelle Ballantyne left the Conservative Party due to disagreements over policy relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
18 December 2020 Lothian Independent Green Andy Wightman resigned from the Scottish Green Party due to disagreements over policy relating to transgender rights.
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.
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