Photo © Scottish Parliament
At a glance Pauline Stafford is a Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Bathgate.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out. At Holyrood an abstention is a deliberate recorded vote, distinct from not voting at all.
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.
Committees
Voting record
The most recent divisions Pauline Stafford voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | For |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 24 Jun 2026 | National Security (State Threats) Bill – UK Legislation | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill - UK Legislation | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 17 Jun 2026 | Appointment of Law Officers | For |
Register of interests
From the Scottish Parliament's Register of Interests. Shown as registered; nothing is added or interpreted.
Controlled transactions1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Gifts1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Heritable property1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Interest in shares1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Overseas visits1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Remuneration and related undertaking2
- Prior to my election, I was a staff musicianship tutor at the National Youth Choir of Scotland (a musical organisation; of 3rd Floor (Centre), Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3DH). I spent 2 hours per week during term time on this role and earned between £1,001 and £2,000 per annum. I am no longer employed in this role and on 28 May 2026 I received a final payment of £68.36. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
- I am a Councillor for West Lothian Council (of Howden South Road, Livingston EH54 6FF). I spend in the region of 20 hours per week on this role although this is highly variable from week to week. I receive a salary and use of a mobile phone, laptop and tablet. I estimate the total combined value of this remuneration is between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum. The basic rate of the councillor salary is deducted from my MSP salary. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Voluntary1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 11 Jun 2026)
Questions
Pauline Stafford has tabled 2 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government what preventative action it is taking to address graffiti, and what consideration it has…
To ask the Scottish Government what preventative action it is taking to address graffiti, and what consideration it has given to restricting access to aerosol paint by young people, including through increasing the minimum age for its purchase.
Answer · Kirsten Oswald · 22 Jul 2026
The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the Antisocial Behaviour (etc.) (Scotland) 2004 Act, and the provisions on the sale of spray paint fall within the scope of that review.The Scottish Government supports local authorities and Police Scotland, who lead the response to graffiti, in working with communities to prevent and tackle antisocial behaviour. Under the 2004 Act, each local authority and the Chief Constable have a joint duty to prepare and keep under review an antisocial behaviour strategy for their area. Prevention is also supported nationally, including through Phase 7 of CashBack for Communities, which is providing £26 million over three years for projects that steer young people away from crime and antisocial behaviour.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work with West Lothian Council and other local …
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work with West Lothian Council and other local authorities, on plans to unlock pension fund assets, including in local authority pension schemes to deliver more affordable housing.
Awaiting an answer.
Speeches
Recent things Pauline Stafford has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
25 Jun 2026 Action Mesothelioma Day 2026 (draft)
I thank Marie McNair for her long-standing commitment to the cause of action on mesothelioma and for bringing this important debate to the chamber ahead of action mesothelioma day 2026.I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in the d…
23 Jun 2026 Climate Change (draft)
Does the member accept that there is a cost to inaction if we do not tackle climate change? The UK Climate Change Committee reported last month that inaction to adapt is predicted to cost us between 1 per cent and 5 per cent of UK gross do…
23 Jun 2026 General Question Time (draft)
I point members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am an elected member on West Lothian Council. Will the minister provide an update on how the Scottish Government is ensuring that local government and t…
18 Jun 2026 European Union Referendum (10th Anniversary) (draft)
I thank the minister for that statement on what is one of the saddest anniversaries for our country.Ten years on from the Brexit vote, Scotland’s artists, musicians and creative professionals continue to face significant barriers to workin…
17 Jun 2026 Bus Fares (draft)
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am an elected member of West Lothian Council.Affordable and reliable public transport is not a luxury but an essential public service. If we are serious about tackling…
17 Jun 2026 Bus Fares (draft)
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am an elected member of West Lothian Council.Affordable and reliable public transport is not a luxury but an essential public service. If we are serious about tackling…
16 Jun 2026 General Question Time (draft)
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am an elected member of West Lothian Council.I welcome the Scottish Government’s clear commitment to delivering a Winchburgh station, including reference to it in this…
10 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Given the acute demand for affordable housing in West Lothian, in particular, when can local authorities expect to see tangible developments resulting from that work?
10 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Given the acute demand for affordable housing in West Lothian, in particular, when can local authorities expect to see tangible developments resulting from that work?
10 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
I refer members to my entry in the members’ register of interests: I am an elected member on West Lothian Council. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work with West Lothian Council and other local autho…
9 Jun 2026 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2024 (draft)
I congratulate the cabinet secretary on her role. She recently visited Blawhorn Moss national nature reserve in my Bathgate constituency to mark world peatlands day and celebrate Scotland exceeding its annual peatland restoration target. W…
28 May 2026 Scotland’s Energy (draft)
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I congratulate you on your new role. I declare an interest as an elected member of West Lothian Council.I am delighted to make my first speech in this chamber representing the new constituency seat of B…
14 May 2026 Oaths and Affirmations (draft)
I pledge my allegiance to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.I, Pauline Stafford, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and succe…
Seat & career
- Bathgate Constituency MSP 7 May 2026 – present
Contact & offices
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.