Our Members of the Scottish Parliament
Daniel Johnson MSP
MSP for Edinburgh Southern
Representing the area where I live with my wife and children and where I grew up, means I feel honoured to represent Edinburgh Southern in the Scottish Parliament. South Edinburgh is home to diverse and varied people and communities in the heart of this city. Since elected in 2016, I have strived to represent the views and needs of my community in parliament and to make a difference in our part of Edinburgh.
I am often asked why I got involved in politics. Put simply, I like to fix things. I’m the sort of person who likes to get their tools out and put things right there and then. And my politics is a bit the same. I see things not working or people not having the same opportunities or the things they need to live their lives and I want to do what I can to put that right.
My interests in Parliament have followed along these lines – I am interested in what we need to do to give people opportunity and make our economy and our society better. I think innovation and technology are hugely important with the changes that automation and digitisation are bringing. I also take a close interest in Neuro Developmental Disorders including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia and associated Education and Health Policy because these are major barriers to people succeeding in Education and life.
I am currently Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, Tourism and Transport. I have recently passed a members bill through parliament to provide greater protection to retail workers from abuse and violence at work.
Prior to my election in 2016, I ran my family’s business of shops in Edinburgh. I started my career working in consulting, specialising in the financial services sector.
Katherine Sangster MSP
MSP for the Edinburgh and Lothian East Region
I was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2026, and I feel incredibly lucky to represent the communities of Edinburgh and Lothians East. These are communities that have welcomed me and my family over the years, and I am proud to serve the people who call this region home.
I became involved in politics because I wanted to help ensure that families across Scotland have access to affordable, flexible childcare that meets their needs. Throughout my career, I have campaigned to improve childcare provision and support working families, drawing on my own experiences and understanding of the challenges many parents face.
As the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, I am committed to holding the Scottish Government to account and to delivering the best possible outcomes for children, young people and families across Scotland.
Scotland is home to so many talented and inspiring young people. I want every child to have the best possible start in life and access to a high-quality education that equips them with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive.
I am equally passionate about strengthening our communities and ensuring that people can take pride in the places they live. By supporting local communities, investing in opportunity and helping our towns and neighbourhoods thrive, we can build a stronger future for Scotland.
Irshad Ahmed MSP
MSP for the Edinburgh and Lothian East Region
Politics to me is a way to help people work through the problems of the here and now, and create opportunities for the future. Labour is the Party of the people and I am proud to represent Labour in the Scottish Parliament.
Spending 33 years in Edinburgh I feel I have a wide ranging knowledge of my city. Starting out as a waiter at a restaurant in Rose street, and working across the city, from the Post Offices to local shops, I have got to know how the city works, the sights the sounds and the people that make it special. I am now in Holyrood, with the privilege to use that experience.
I will be a local voice for communities in Edinburgh, that bridge the gaps between generations, speak up for our small businesses that bring life to local areas, and challenge everyone to make Edinburgh a better place to live.
I want to be part of a parliament that truly represents everyone. My Muslim faith is at the heart of who I am. I will always be a champion for work done between faiths, and a Scotland where I can practice my faith and belong in my community.
I am the Spokesperson for Public Health and Sport, representing you on the various Public Health crisis that face us. Whether its people feeling worse off, older people forgotten about, young people left behind, the consequences are looming large for our Health System. There is plenty to do, and lots to be getting on with.