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.
Alex called on the Scottish Government to invest more in youth work to tackle violence, antisocial behaviour, and knife crime.
Alex challenged the First Minister on cancer waiting times reaching their worst level on record and questioned why Scots are missing out on recommended cancer screenings.
Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has hit out at the practice of “dry-spilling” after obtaining a list of ‘Combined Sewage Overflow’ sites which includes Cramond.
Alex has continued to challenge the SNP Scottish Government to take real action on the crisis in social care.
Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has published new research by his party showing that faults with ambulance equipment reached a record high in 2024.
Responding to the news that around 350 staff at the University of Edinburgh have accepted voluntary redundancy.
Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has demanded the Scottish Government get serious about providing transparency on sewage as new annual statistics provided data on fewer overflows than before.
Following a series of new statistics revealing failing performance on breast cancer care, more people stuck in hospital and long waits at A&E.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have secured funding to build more affordable homes in communities across Scotland.
Scottish Liberal Democrats have secured the replacement of the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion.
Speaking ahead of the Scottish Parliament debating the Budget at Stage 3 (Tuesday 25th February), Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on the First Minister to urgently act on the number of babies who spend the first days of their lives withdrawing from drugs.
