Member of Parliament
Mr Douglas Alexander
Labour (Co-op) MP for Lothian East
Secretary of State for Scotland
At a glanceMr Douglas Alexander is a Labour (Co-op) MP for Lothian East, and has represented the seat for 2 years. They currently serve as Secretary of State for Scotland. They have cast 265 votes in Commons divisions (46% attendance), tabled 56 written questions and registered 4 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Mr Douglas Alexander did not vote in 310. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
He currently holds the Government post of Secretary of State for Scotland.
Current roles
- Secretary of State for Scotland Government post · Scotland Office since 5 Sep 2025
- Lothian East Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
- Labour Party since 6 Nov 1997
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Rachel Hopkins
Labour
100.0% · 261 of 261 shared votes
-
Steve Yemm
Labour
100.0% · 258 of 258 shared votes
-
Andy Slaughter
Labour
100.0% · 257 of 257 shared votes
-
Tristan Osborne
Labour
100.0% · 257 of 257 shared votes
-
Andrew Cooper
Labour
100.0% · 256 of 256 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Sir Geoffrey Cox
Conservative
0.0% · 0 of 108 shared votes
-
Mrs Kemi Badenoch
Conservative
0.0% · 0 of 91 shared votes
-
Andrew Griffith
Conservative
0.6% · 1 of 180 shared votes
-
Saqib Bhatti
Conservative
0.6% · 1 of 172 shared votes
-
Alex Burghart
Conservative
0.6% · 1 of 165 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Land and property (within or outside the UK)2
- Property in Argyll (registered 29 Jul 2024)
- Property in East Lothian (registered 29 Jul 2024)
Miscellaneous2
- Political Co-Chair of Scottish Labour’s 2026 Scottish Election Campaign. This is a part time and unpaid role. (registered 17 Sep 2025)
- The Ditchley Foundation - Governor (registered 29 Jul 2024)
Written questions
Saudi Arabia
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2015, Official Report, column 79, whether he met the Saudi Arabia Deputy Foreign Minister; and with whom he has discussed the case of Raif Badawi.
Answer · 5 Feb 2015
Due to the late King’s ill health at the time, the Vice Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia did not attend the Counter ISIL meeting in London as had been planned. Instead, I raised the case of Raif Badawi with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of...
Afghanistan
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department gives to the Afghan government to promote educational opportunities among women and girls in Afghanistan.
Answer · 6 Jan 2015
DFID is providing £48 million through its Girls Education Challenge Fund to enable some 180,000 girls in some of the poorest rural and hard to reach areas of Afghanistan to have better access to a quality education. In addition to this funding the UK su...
Iraq
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last discussed the conflict against ISIL with representatives of the Kurdistan regional government.
Answer · 9 Jan 2015
My officials in Erbil, Baghdad and London discuss the conflict against ISIL with representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on a regular basis.I last discussed this issue with KRG representatives during my visit to Erbil on 13 October in m...
Iraq
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has held with the EU's new High Representative for Foreign Affairs on other EU member states' contribution towards the fight against ISIL in Iraq.
Answer · 9 Jan 2015
I have regular discussions with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs on the EU’s strategy to tackle ISIL, both bilaterally and directly in EU meetings. Conclusions of EU meetings are available on EU websites.
Syria
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is giving to the Syrian opposition to assist delivery of essential services.
Answer · 9 Jan 2015
In the current financial year, the UK has allocated £27 million of non-humanitarian aid to support the work of the National Coalition and Interim Government, local councils, non-government organisations, civil society, media and human rights activists in ...
Ukraine
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implementation of the Minsk Protocol by all parties to the agreement.
Answer · 9 Jan 2015
We are concerned by continued breaches of the ceasefire which was agreed in Minsk on 5 September and urge all parties to implement the Minsk Protocol in full so peace and stability can return to eastern Ukraine. Russia’s actions - troop movements, further...
Russia
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of EU-wide sanctions on Russia's policy towards Ukraine.
Answer · 9 Jan 2015
Sanctions are an important element of the range of diplomatic measures we are undertaking to effect a change in Russia’s behaviour. EU sanctions are delivering a significant cost to Russia for its actions in Ukraine. The fall in the global oil price has d...
Russia
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps at an EU-level to increase the size of the sanctions regime against Russia in response to the security situation in Ukraine.
Answer · 9 Jan 2015
As the Prime Minister made clear to President Putin at the G20 meeting in Brisbane, unless Russia follows through on its obligations, and we see real progress towards peace in Ukraine, with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,...
Speeches in the chamber
15 Jul 2026 City Region Deals
Let me assure my hon. Friend that we are committed to bringing economic opportunity to every part of Scotland. Unlocking the economic potential of sites exactly like the ExxonMobil Bowling terminal is how we can achieve that for communitie…
15 Jul 2026 City Region Deals
In the words of the incoming Prime Minister, we’re up for it, as far as devolving power from Holyrood is concerned. Alas, many of the powers rest with the Scottish Government. We need to end the grinding centralisation that I described in …
15 Jul 2026 City Region Deals
City region and growth deals are having a visible and transformative impact on regional economies across Scotland. Built on more than £1.5 billion of UK Government investment, the deals play a vital role in fostering enduring economic grow…
15 Jul 2026 New Nuclear Energy Projects
Yes. On that there is cross-party consensus. I can attest to that as the constituency Member of Parliament in Lothian East, where we have had decades of not just sustainable power that is carbon-free, but really high-quality jobs, excellen…
15 Jul 2026 New Nuclear Energy Projects
Whether it is Hunterston in my hon. Friend’s constituency or Torness in my own constituency, Scotland has a proud history of harnessing civil nuclear power to bring jobs and growth to Scotland. Alas, the anti-scientific approach the SNP h…
15 Jul 2026 New Nuclear Energy Projects
Great British Energy Nuclear’s technical study, which was recently published, confirms that Scotland possesses land areas with high potential for new nuclear development. Such projects could deliver significant investment and thousands of …
15 Jul 2026 Devolved Powers
An awareness of all those issues is not simply for the incoming Prime Minister, but for anybody who reads a newspaper in Scotland. What we have witnessed is a travesty of the potential of devolution. It is not simply the distraction of foc…
15 Jul 2026 Devolved Powers
I hardly think that the SNP mismanagement the hon. Gentleman rightly describes should damn devolution in the eyes of everyone in this Chamber. It is perfectly possible to drive a Ferrari into a ditch, which is pretty much what we have seen…
15 Jul 2026 Devolved Powers
I could not agree more. My own mother worked for many years in the NHS in Ayrshire, at Crosshouse hospital. The Scottish Government are, alas, letting those dedicated NHS workers down. After 19 years in power, they must account for their r…
15 Jul 2026 Devolved Powers
The SNP seems to respect every vote, apart from the constitutional referendum, in which 84% of the Scottish people exercised their democratic choice. The hon. Member she says that devolution is all the rage. With respect, some of us were e…
15 Jul 2026 Devolved Powers
I welcome the hon. Member to her place and congratulate her on her recent by-election victory. This Government’s focus is to make the existing devolution settlement work effectively. For too long, we have watched centralisation of decis…
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
This is now almost a matter of ancient history, but in the forgotten referendum that took place under the last Labour Government, I was proud to campaign alongside the hon. Member’s party’s former leader Charles Kennedy in favour of the al…
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
Yes. Ours is a politics of solidarity, co-operation and togetherness. We had a manifesto commitment not only opposing independence, but opposing a further referendum, and we stand by that mandate.
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
There is a serious point to start the answer, which is that I have always believed that to be pro-Scottish, you do not need to be anti-English. We should be bigger and more generous than that. We are all immensely proud of Steve Clarke, An…
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
I am not sure whether paying generous tribute to the right hon. Gentleman for his question and the wisdom thereof will impair my prospects. Of course, devolution provides us with the tools, but one of the great tragedies of the last two de…
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
The Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee speaks with her characteristic wisdom and authority on these matters. It seems that the only output that is rising on the SNP’s watch is the number of statements being issued by solicitors on beh…
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
I am glad to see that SNP Members are staying classy, as usual. On the matter of personnel choices, I am not sure that my first go-to source would be the First Minister, because of course he appointed Peter Murrell to be the chief executiv…
15 Jul 2026 Independence Referendum
Still none.
15 Jul 2026 Defence Skills: Fife
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is a tireless advocate for the people of Fife and, indeed, for its outstanding college. Our officials are in discussions with both the colleges sector and the Scottish Government, and hope that they wil…
15 Jul 2026 Defence Skills: Fife
As part of the £50 million Scotland defence growth deal, we have confirmed £5 million for the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus at Rosyth, helping to develop the advanced manufacturing skills needed to support the Type 31 frigate programme and…
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Government posts
- Minister of State (Cabinet Office) · Cabinet Office 10 Feb 2025 – 5 Sep 2025
- Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) · Department for Business and Trade 6 Jul 2024 – 5 Sep 2025
- Secretary of State for International Development · Department for International Development 28 Jun 2007 – 6 May 2010
- Secretary of State for Scotland · Scotland Office 5 May 2006 – 28 Jun 2007
- Secretary of State for Transport · Department for Transport 5 May 2006 – 28 Jun 2007
- Minister of State (Europe) · Foreign and Commonwealth Office 10 May 2005 – 5 May 2006
- Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (Trade) (also Department of Trade and Industry) · Foreign and Commonwealth Office 9 Sep 2004 – 10 May 2005
- Minister of State (Department of Trade and Industry) (Trade) (also Foreign and Commonwealth Office) · Department of Trade and Industry 9 Sep 2004 – 10 May 2005
- Minister of State (Cabinet Office) and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster · Cabinet Office 13 Jun 2003 – 9 Sep 2004
- Minister of State (Cabinet Office) · Cabinet Office 30 May 2002 – 13 Jun 2003
- Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness) · Department of Trade and Industry 11 Jun 2001 – 29 May 2002
Opposition posts
- Shadow Foreign Secretary · Foreign and Commonwealth Office 20 Jan 2011 – 30 Mar 2015
- Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions · Department for Work and Pensions 8 Oct 2010 – 20 Jan 2011
- Shadow Secretary of State for International Development · Department for International Development 12 May 2010 – 8 Oct 2010
Previous seats
- Paisley and Renfrewshire South · Elected 2 times 5 May 2005 – 30 Mar 2015
- Paisley South · Elected 2 times 6 Nov 1997 – 5 May 2005
Elections contested
- Paisley and Renfrewshire South 7 May 2015
- Perth 1 May 1997
- Perth and Kinross 25 May 1995
Expenses
Contact & offices
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Mr Douglas Alexander, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Mr Douglas Alexander?
Mr Douglas Alexander is a Member of Parliament representing Lothian East in the House of Commons. See Mr Douglas Alexander's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Mr Douglas Alexander represent?
Mr Douglas Alexander sits as Labour (Co-op). See Mr Douglas Alexander's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Mr Douglas Alexander represent?
Mr Douglas Alexander is the Member of Parliament for Lothian East. See Mr Douglas Alexander's official Parliament profile.
How long has Mr Douglas Alexander been an MP?
Mr Douglas Alexander has served in the House of Commons for 2 years. See Mr Douglas Alexander's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Mr Douglas Alexander?
Mr Douglas Alexander has 4 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Mr Douglas Alexander's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.