Alex Cole-Hamilton
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Western
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 was first elected in 2016, and was re-elected in 2021.
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Alex meets with Teaching Unions on School Closures
Parents across West Edinburgh have been in contact with local MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton to express deep concern about the ongoing disruption to learning caused by the teacher strikes.
Alex has taken these concerns directly to EIS union leaders who he met with during one of the recent strike days. The talks revealed that the Scottish Government seem to have no intention of moving from their current position, and the strikes may well be set to continue.
Alex said: “This generation of learners have had it harder than any other. With nearly 2 years of disruption caused by the pandemic they now face weeks of disruption caused by the strikes. I know that teachers don’t want this, but they have been left with no choice- In real terms they aren’t even asking for a pay rise, just a more manageable pay cut.
"I have pointed out to the government that were they to end national testing of 5 year olds and abandon their ministerial takeover of social care they could save over a £Billion. This could help fund meaningful pay increases across the public sector.”