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Scottish Parliament Election • 7 May 2026

Scottish National Party (SNP)

View manifesto ↗

Policy Positions

Scotland's Future
Core commitment. Independence referendum if SNP wins a majority. Describes independence as essential to Scotland's future prosperity.
NHS & Health
Continue current NHS investment. Deliver the long-delayed National Care Service. Maintain mental health funding expansion.
Housing
Continue the rent control framework introduced in 2022. Invest in social housing. Maintain existing tenant protections.
Climate & Transport
Net zero by 2045. Just transition fund for oil and gas workers. Active travel investment. (2030 interim targets were dropped in 2024.)
Tax & Public Spending
Maintain progressive Scottish income tax, which currently raises around £1bn more than the rest-of-UK equivalent.
Economy & Jobs
Support a just transition from fossil fuels. Protect free university tuition. Invest in creative industries and Scottish exports.
Education & Childcare
Protect free university tuition. Maintain national curriculum standards. Focus on closing the attainment gap.
Social Issues
Supported the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (subsequently blocked by the UK Government). Progressive social policy across all groups.

Candidates (73)

Aberdeen Central
Jack Middleton
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former special adviser to First Ministers Humza Yousaf and John Swinney. Age 30. Previously worked for MSP Maureen Watt.

Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine
Stephen Mark Flynn
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP Westminster leader since December 2022 and MP for Aberdeen South since 2019. Standing for Holyrood in 2026. Previously SNP group leader on Aberdeen City Council.

Aberdeen Donside
Jackie Dunbar
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Aberdeen Donside since 2021. Former Aberdeen City councillor (from 2007) and SNP deputy group leader on the council.

Aberdeenshire East
Gillian Anne Martin
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Aberdeenshire East since 2016, succeeding Alex Salmond. Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy. Former further education lecturer.

Aberdeenshire West
Fatima Joji
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Aberdeenshire councillor for Westhill and District since 2022. Worked across European Parliament, Westminster, and Scottish Parliament. Tops SNP North East regional list.

Airdrie
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care since February 2024. MSP for Airdrie and Shotts since 2021, previously the Westminster MP for the same seat (2015-2021).

Almond Valley
Angela Constance
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs since 2023 and MSP for Almond Valley since 2007. A former social worker by profession, Constance has held multiple cabinet roles including Education, Communities, and Social Security. She also serves as the SNP's Business Convener (party chair) since 2023, overseeing party management and election campaigns.

Angus North and Mearns
Dawn Black
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Aberdeenshire councillor for Stonehaven and Lower Deeside. Standing for Angus North and Mearns in her first bid for the Scottish Parliament.

Angus South
Lloyd Melville
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Monifieth and Sidlaw councillor since 2022. Born in 2001, one of Scotland's youngest councillors at 24.

Argyll and Bute
Jenni Minto
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Argyll and Bute since 2021. Minister for Public Health and Women's Health since March 2023. Worked at BBC Scotland for 18 years helping to establish BBC Alba.

Ayr
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Ayr since 2021 and Minister for Victims and Community Safety since March 2023. Defeated the Conservatives' longest-serving MSP by 170 votes. Former South Ayrshire councillor.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast
Karen Adam
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast since 2021. First MSP to take the oath of affirmation in British Sign Language. Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.

Bathgate
Pauline Stafford
Scottish National Party (SNP)

West Lothian SNP deputy group leader. Bathgate councillor. Tops the SNP Central Scotland and Lothians West regional list.

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Maree Todd
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP since 2016 for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross. Has held continuous ministerial roles since 2017 including Children and Young People, Public Health, and Social Care. Former mental health pharmacist.

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Katie Hagmann
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Dumfries and Galloway councillor for Mid Galloway and Wigtown West.

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
Keith James Brown
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP Depute Leader since 2018 and MSP since 2007. Former Royal Marine who served in the Falklands War. Has held multiple Cabinet Secretary roles including Justice, Economy, and Infrastructure.

Clydebank and Milngavie
Marie A McNair
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie since 2021, the constituency's first female MSP. Former NHS nurse and prominent asbestos awareness campaigner.

Clydesdale
Mairi McAllan
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP Cabinet Secretary and MSP for Clydesdale since 2021, McAllan is one of the youngest members of the Scottish Cabinet. A former corporate solicitor who also served as a special adviser to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, she has held the environment, net zero, and transport portfolios since entering Parliament and was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Housing in 2025.

Coatbridge and Chryston
Fulton James MacGregor
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston since 2016, the first SNP MSP ever elected for the constituency. Re-elected in 2021 with 57% vote share. Former social worker.

Cowdenbeath
David John Barratt
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP councillor for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay. Convener of South West Fife area committee. Senior environmental consultant specialising in flood risk.

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Jamie Hepburn
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP since 2007 for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. Has held multiple ministerial roles including Minister for Independence and Minister for Higher and Further Education.

Cunninghame North
Kenneth Gibson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

One of Scotland's longest-serving MSPs, in parliament since 1999. Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee. Won Cunninghame North in 2007 by just 48 votes.

Cunninghame South
Patricia Gibson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for North Ayrshire and Arran (2015-2024). SNP Shadow Secretary of State for Housing and Attorney General Spokesperson at Westminster. Former English teacher for over 20 years.

Dumbarton
Sophie Traynor
Scottish National Party (SNP)

West Dunbartonshire councillor for Clydebank Central since 2022.

Dumfriesshire
Stephen Thompson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Dumfries and Galloway councillor for Annandale North. Co-leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council. Website builder.

Dundee City East
Stephen Gethins
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Currently MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Previously MP for North East Fife (2015-2019), re-elected in 2017 by just two votes. SNP foreign affairs spokesperson and former special adviser to First Ministers Salmond and Sturgeon.

Dundee City West
Heather Anderson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Briefly served as MEP for Scotland in January 2020 (four days before Brexit). Dundee councillor, welfare rights officer and organic farmer.

Dunfermline
Shirley-Anne Somerville
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice since 2023 and MSP for Dunfermline since 2016. A long-standing SNP member who joined the party at 16, Somerville previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (2021-2023) and Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People (2018-2021). She worked in housing policy and public affairs before entering Parliament.

East Kilbride
Collette Stevenson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for East Kilbride since 2021. Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. Former South Lanarkshire councillor and depute provost.

East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs
Paul McLennan
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for East Lothian since 2021, the first SNP MSP for the constituency. Former Minister for Housing (2023-2025). Long-serving East Lothian councillor since 2007.

Eastwood
Kirsten Frances Oswald
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for East Renfrewshire (2015-2017 and 2019-2024). Unseated Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy in 2015. SNP deputy Westminster leader (2020-2022) and Business Convener (2018-2023).

Edinburgh Central
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Edinburgh Central since 2021. Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs. Former SNP Westminster leader (2001-2017). Led party through 2014 independence referendum.

Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent
Kate Campbell
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh city councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar. Former Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener. Led the campaign to regulate Airbnb-style short-term lets in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith
Ben MacPherson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith since 2016. A former commercial lawyer, Macpherson has held a series of ministerial roles covering migration, public finance, rural affairs, and social security. He returned to government as Minister for Higher and Further Education in September 2025 after two years on the backbenches.

Edinburgh North Western
Lyn Ann Jardine
Scottish National Party (SNP)

East Lothian SNP group leader and councillor since 2022. Rose through ranks to become leader of the opposition on East Lothian Council. First-time Holyrood candidate.

Edinburgh Northern
Euan Hyslop
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh councillor and cafe owner. Education spokesman. Former pupil support assistant.

Edinburgh South Western
Simita Kumar
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh city councillor for Southside/Newington since 2022. SNP group leader on Edinburgh Council — first woman and first person of colour to lead a council group in the city. Programme Manager at Public Health Scotland.

Edinburgh Southern
Deidre Leanne Brock
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for Edinburgh North and Leith (2015-2024). First SNP representative to hold that seat. Former Deputy Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
John Redpath
Scottish National Party (SNP)

First-time candidate from Gordon in the Scottish Borders. Grew up with ties to agriculture and forestry. Previously worked in hospitality and the Scottish Parliament.

Falkirk East and Linlithgow
Martyn Day
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (2015-2024). SNP health spokesperson at Westminster. Former personal banking manager and West Lothian councillor from 1999.

Falkirk West
Gary Bouse
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Falkirk councillor for Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst since 2017. Housing spokesperson. Former joiner and building preservation specialist.

Fife North East
John Beare
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP councillor for Glenrothes North, Leslie and Markinch. Glenrothes Area Committee convener.

Galloway and West Dumfries
Emma Harper
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Regional MSP for South Scotland since 2016. Registered nurse with experience at NHS Scotland and Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Returned to frontline nursing during COVID-19.

Glasgow Anniesland
Colm Merrick
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP councillor for Giffnock and Thornliebank in East Renfrewshire.

Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston
David Linden
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for Glasgow East (2017-2024). SNP welfare and housing spokesperson at Westminster. Youngest SNP MP when first elected at age 27.

Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok
Zen Ghani
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Glasgow City councillor standing as SNP candidate for Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok.

Glasgow Central
Alison Thewliss
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for Glasgow Central (2015-2024) who is now standing for the Scottish Parliament. During nearly a decade at Westminster, Thewliss served as SNP spokesperson on home affairs and the economy. Before entering Parliament she was a Glasgow City councillor for the Calton ward from 2007.

Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn
Ivan McKee
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Glasgow Provan since 2016. Minister for Public Finance since May 2024. Background in manufacturing engineering and international business consultancy.

Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill
Bob Doris
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP since 2007 for Glasgow. Former Modern Studies teacher. Deputy convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.

Glasgow Southside
Kaukab Stewart
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Glasgow Kelvin since 2021. Minister for Equalities since May 2024. One of the first women of colour elected to the Scottish Parliament. Former primary teacher for nearly 30 years.

Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Alex Kerr
Scottish National Party (SNP)

SNP National Secretary. Worked for late MSP Christina McKelvie. Glasgow councillor.

Inverclyde
Stuart McMillan
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP since 2007, representing Greenock and Inverclyde from 2016. First SNP member to win the constituency. Convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee.

Inverness and Nairn
Emma Roddick
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Youngest MSP elected in 2021 at age 23 for Highlands and Islands. Former Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees. Experienced homelessness as a teenager.

Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
Alan Brown
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former civil engineer and MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (2015-2024). SNP energy and transport spokesperson at Westminster.

Kirkcaldy
David Herd Torrance
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Kirkcaldy since 2011. Former mechanical engineer who worked for British Gas, Alcan Chemicals, and Bosch Rexroth. Scout leader since 1979.

Mid Fife and Glenrothes
Jenny Gilruth
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills since 2023 and MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016. A former secondary school teacher and head of department in Fife, Gilruth previously served as Minister for Culture (2020-2022) and Minister for Transport (2022-2023). She brings direct classroom experience to her education brief.

Midlothian North
Colin Beattie
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh since 2011. Former SNP National Treasurer. Background in international banking spanning 23 years.

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
Calum Kerr
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (2015-2017). SNP Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson. IT industry background.

Moray
Laura Mitchell
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Born and raised in Moray. Works in Richard Lochhead MSP's constituency office. Media and Communications graduate.

Motherwell and Wishaw
Clare Adamson
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP since 2011 for Motherwell and Wishaw. Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. Background in computer science.

Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Alasdair Allan
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Long-serving MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar since 2007. Former Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages. Gaelic speaker with a PhD in Scots Language.

Orkney Islands
Robert Fraser Leslie
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Energy officer at Orkney Housing Association. Former reporter and editor at The Orcadian. Born in Orkney. Fourth electoral bid for the SNP.

Paisley
George Adam
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Paisley since 2011. Former Minister for Parliamentary Business (2021-2024). Prominent campaigner for multiple sclerosis awareness.

Perthshire North
John Ramsay Swinney
Scottish National Party (SNP)

First Minister of Scotland since May 2024 and leader of the SNP. A veteran of Scottish politics, Swinney has been an MSP since 1999 and previously served as SNP leader (2000-2004), Deputy First Minister (2014-2023), and Cabinet Secretary for Finance. He is one of the longest-serving members of the Scottish Parliament.

Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
Jim Fairlie
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire since 2021. Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity since February 2024. Hill farmer who founded Perth Farmers' Market in 1996.

Renfrewshire North and Cardonald
Michelle Simone Campbell
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Renfrewshire councillor for Erskine and Inchinnan since 2017. NHS nurse with 20 years' experience. Convener of Infrastructure, Land and Environment Board.

Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Renfrewshire South since 2016. Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing since June 2025. Previously Minister for Public Finance (2021-2025). Trained musician.

Rutherglen and Cambuslang
Clare Haughey
Scottish National Party (SNP)

MSP for Rutherglen since 2016. Former Minister for Mental Health (2018-2021) and Minister for Children and Young People (2021-2023). Trained mental health nurse.

Shetland Islands
Hannah Mary Goodlad
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Shetland-born energy professional. Worked for Norwegian company Equinor for 11 years in oil, gas, renewables and carbon capture. Proposes a Shetland Energy Act.

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Eilidh Munro
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Fluent Gaelic speaker and traditional musician with a background in media and politics. Selected after Kate Forbes stepped down.

Stirling
Alyn Edward Smith
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former commercial lawyer who served as Scotland's MEP for 15 years (2004-2019) before becoming MP for Stirling (2019-2024).

Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Denis Johnston
Scottish National Party (SNP)

North Lanarkshire councillor for Kilsyth and the Villages. Assistant pub manager.

Uddingston and Bellshill
Steven Bonnar
Scottish National Party (SNP)

Former MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (2019-2024). SNP agriculture and environment spokesperson. Former North Lanarkshire councillor from 2015.