Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Lucy Jackson

One-third of MPs in Scotland are currently councillors – see the full list

ALMOST one-third of MPs in Scotland are currently councillors, following the General Election on July 4 which saw a change in the country’s political landscape.

The majority of MPs in Scotland are new to the Commons, after the SNP faced a total wipe-out retaining just nine seats.

A total of 18 of Scotland’s 57 MPs are currently councillors, equivalent to one-third (32%).

It is not a requirement for MPs to resign as councillors once they have been elected to parliament, but with local elections next taking place in 2027 it is unlikely that individuals will remain as both an MP and a councillor.

Should they resign as councillor, a local by-election will need to take place to elect their replacement.

As such, Scotland could be set for a raft of council by-elections.

See the full list of MPs who are currently councillors below.


Aberdeenshire Council 

Seamus Logan (MP for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East), SNP councillor for Fraserburgh and District 

East Ayrshire Council 

Lilian Jones (MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun), Scottish Labour councillor for Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse 

Elaine Stewart (MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock), Scottish Labour councillor for Doon Valley 

East Dunbartonshire Council 

Susan Murray (MP for Mid Dunbartonshire), Scottish LibDem councillor for Kirkintilloch East and North and Twechar 

City of Edinburgh Council 

Scott Arthur (MP for Edinburgh South West), Scottish Labour councillor for Colinton / Fairmilehead 

Falkirk Council 

Euan Stainbank (MP for Falkirk), Scottish Labour councillor for Falkirk South 

Fife Council 

Graeme Downie (MP for Dunfermline and Dollar), Scottish Labour councillor for West Fife and coastal villages 

City of Glasgow Council 

Maureen Burke (MP for Glasgow North East), Scottish Labour councillor for North East 

Patricia Ferguson (MP for Glasgow West), Scottish Labour councillor for Drumchapel / Anniesland 

Highland Council 

Angus MacDonald (MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire), Scottish LibDem councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan  

Inverclyde Council 

Martin McCluskey (MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West), Scottish Labour councillor for Inverclyde West 

Moray Council 

Graham Leadbitter (MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey), SNP councillor for Elgin City South 

North Lanarkshire Council 

Frank McNally (MP for Coatbridge and Bellshill), Scottish Labour councillor for Mossend and Holytown 

Kenneth Stevenson (MP for Airdrie and Shotts), Scottish Labour councillor for Fortissat 

Perth and Kinross Council 

Brian Leishman (MP for Alloa and Grangemouth), Scottish Labour councillor for Perth City North 

Stirling Council 

Chris Kane (MP for Stirling and Strathallan), Scottish Labour councillor for Stirling East 

West Dunbartonshire Council 

Douglas McAllister (MP for West Dunbartonshire), Scottish Labour councillor for Kilpatrick and Provost 

West Lothian Council 

Kirsteen Sullivan (MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow), Scottish Labour and Co-operative councillor for Whitburn and Blackburn 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.