Alex is the constituency MSP for Edinburgh Western, and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He was first elected in 2016, and re-elected in 2021.
Before Parliament, Alex worked in the childrens voluntary sector, including being Director of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights) and worked on the campaign to raise the age of leaving care in Scotland to 21.
Since being elected Alex led the successful campaign to save HIV Scotland from planned funding cuts, forced the Government to abandon their plans to abolish jury trials during the Covid pandemic and has spoken up for bus services, dentist and GP provision, and protecting greenbelt land in west Edinburgh.
He has prioritised campaigning on children's mental health, first aid awareness, long covid and supporting Ukrainian refugees. He was sanctioned by the Kremlin in August 2022 following his public criticism of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and for his efforts to highlight Russian influence in Scotland.
Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has today backed calls from Edinburgh Zoo, who have asked residents near the premises to refrain from setting off fireworks over the festive period, following the death of a baby red panda last month.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said that the SNP government must overhaul their botched NHS Recovery Plan after a new workforce survey found that the number of GPs continues to drop.
Responding to new figures showing only 59.5% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in the week ending 1st December, the joint 5th worst on record, while 4,145 people waited over 8 hours and 2,076 waited over 12 hours.
Responding to new figures showing that in 2023/24 there were 666,190 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed, the highest annual figure since records began
Responding to Police Scotland figures.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on the SNP to tear up its failing NHS Recovery Plan.
Speaking during this afternoon’s session of First Minister’s Questions.
Commenting after the Scottish Budget.
Responding to Public Health Scotland figures published today which show that the number of planned operations is still falling short of pre-pandemic levels.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton today said Scotland needs world class mental health services.
Responding to new Public Health Scotland figures which showed 2,030 people were stuck in hospital in October due to their discharge being delayed.
Responding to new figures showing only 66.6% of people attending A&E were seen within the 4 hour target in October 2024, the worst on record for the month.
