Elections in Scotland
political elections for public offices in Scotland
Scotland has elections to several bodies: the Scottish Parliament, the United Kingdom Parliament, local councils and community councils. Before the United Kingdom left the European Union, Scotland elected members to the European Parliament.
Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliamentary elections use the Additional Member System (AMS). Under this system, voters are given two votes: one for their constituency, which elects a single MSP by first-past-the-post; and one for their region, which elects seven MSPs by closed list. Five Scottish Parliamentary elections have been held since the reconvention of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Elections are held every five years, on the first Thursday in May.
2026
2021
2016
2011
2007
(Liberal Democrats won Dunfermline West, not Labour)
2003
1999
By-elections
2019 Shetland by-election, Lib Dem hold
2017 Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire by-election, Con hold
2014 Cowdenbeath by-election, Lab hold
2013 Dunfermline by-election, Lab gain from SNP
2013 Aberdeen Donside by-election, SNP hold
2006 Moray by-election, SNP hold
2005 Glasgow Cathcart by-election, Lab hold
2001 Banff and Buchan by-election, SNP hold
2001 Strathkelvin and Bearsden by-election, Lab hold
2000 Glasgow Anniesland by-election, Lab hold
2000 Ayr by-election, Con gain from Lab
UK Parliament
2024
2019
2017
2015
At the 2015 election the SNP won a majority of Scottish seats for the first time.
2010
* Philip Lardner, the Conservative candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran was disowned by the Conservative Party for comments he posted on his website, calling homosexuality 'abnormal'. It was too late for him to be replaced and he still read as the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party candidate on the ballot paper.
2005
2001
1997
1992
1987
1983
1979
October 1974
February 1974
1970
1966
1964
1959
1955
1951
1950
1945
1935
1931
1929
1924
1923
1922
1918
1910 December
1910 January
1906
1900
1895
1892
1886
1885
1880
1874
1868
1865
1859
1857
1852
1847
1841
1837
1835
1832
1831
1830
Local councils
Since 1995, local elections in Scotland have been generally held every four years for all the 32 unitary authorities created under the Local Government etc.
The public source identifies “Elections in Scotland” as political elections for public offices in Scotland. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Elections, Scotland and political.
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