Candidates announced for upcoming Scottish Parliament election

Published: 1st April 2026

sp election taking place on 7 May
Scottish Parliament election taking place on 7 May

Following the close of nominations for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election on Wednesday 1 April, the candidates have been announced.

Standing for election in the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency are:

  • James Robert Anderson            Independent
  • Ray Georgeson Scottish            Liberal Democrats
  • Rachael Hamilton                     Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Terry Howson                            Alliance to Liberate Scotland
  • Kaymarie Hughes                     Scottish Labour Party
  • Jamie Alexander Langan           Reform UK
  • John Redpath Scottish              National Party (SNP)

Standing for election in the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Constituency are:

  • Keith Cockburn                        Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Daniel Coleman                       Scottish Labour Party
  • Duncan Angus Melville Dunlop   Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Carolyn Grant                          Reform UK
  • Calum Kerr                              Scottish National Party (SNP)

Anyone who is not on the electoral register, or who has moved house and needs to re-register, has until midnight on Monday 20 April to complete the simple registration process to be able to vote. You can register to vote by completing online registration at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Polling stations will be open on Thursday 7 May from 7am until 10pm. However, if you wish to vote by post, you only have until 5pm on Tuesday 21 April for your application to be received by the Electoral Registration Officer, and you must be on the electoral register to apply.

You can also apply for a proxy vote, you need to complete and sign a proxy application form and return it to the Electoral Registration Officer before 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Application forms for postal and proxy votes are available from www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer on 01835 825100, email Electoral.registration@scotborders.gov.uk

When you vote in a Scottish Parliament election, you have two votes – one to elect your constituency member and one to elect your regional member.

All candidates are listed in the public notices section.