Photo © Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Rachael Hamilton
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
At a glance Rachael Hamilton is a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Rachael Hamilton did not vote in 199. 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 Rachael Hamilton voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | For |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | For |
| 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 | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | National Security (State Threats) Bill – UK Legislation | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | Against |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill - UK Legislation | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 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 4 Jun 2026)
Gifts1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 4 Jun 2026)
Heritable property1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 4 Jun 2026)
Interest in shares1
- I hold 49% of the issued share capital in Borders Hotels Ltd (of the Green, St Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0EW). These are ordinary shares with an estimated market value of approximately up to £637,000. The company is a privately owned limited company, therefore its market value is difficult to determine and therefore this figure is not a true reflection of its value. (lodged 4 Jun 2026)
Overseas visits1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 4 Jun 2026)
Remuneration and related undertaking1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 4 Jun 2026)
Voluntary1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 4 Jun 2026)
Questions
Rachael Hamilton has tabled 1,432 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price …
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what its analysis is of the potential impact on product substitution and imports should the policy compel retailers to consider sourcing cheaper products from abroad.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 22 Jul 2026
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price …
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, whether it is engaging with representatives of the retail sector and food producers to address the root causes of higher food prices.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 22 Jul 2026
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price …
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what assessment has been carried out of the potential impact of this policy on convenience stores and newsagents.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 22 Jul 2026
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price …
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what its response is to reported concerns that the policy could encourage customers to travel further to purchase goods that would otherwise be bought in a convenience store closer to them and therefore increase transport-related emissions.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 22 Jul 2026
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price …
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what analysis it has conducted of the potential impact on customer demand and stocking of products in grocery stores that are located close to the border with England.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 22 Jul 2026
The Scottish Government is working toward a consultation on the price cap on essential food items within 100 days of the start of this parliamentary session. This work has been informed by early engagement with key stakeholders and consideration of policy implications.The consultation will be an opportunity for interested parties to inform the further development of policy and any future legislative proposals. Any proposals brought forward would be subject to detailed consideration of potential economic, competition, consumer and business impacts and be informed by appropriate evidence and impact assessments.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enac…
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the proposed cap on the prices of products that would not be subject to it.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 17 Jul 2026
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01503 on 17 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a …
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what discussions it has had with Local Authority Trading Standards (LATS) regarding the proposal.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 17 Jul 2026
We are engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders to support considered and informed discussion on this policy, and to ensure effective implementation that delivers on our core aim of making the weekly shop more affordable.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enac…
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, which stores, retailers or categories of retailer will be affected by the proposal.
Answer · Tom Arthur · 17 Jul 2026
Helping people with the cost of living is a top priority of this government and we will be taking forward consultation on this policy within the first 100 days. Price caps on essential food items will be required of large supermarkets. Specifics will be considered as part of the policy development process, informed by engagement and consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Motions lodged
| 14 Jul 2026 | The Gordon Arms in the Yarrow Valley Among Britain’s Best Local Restaurants | 8 sig. |
| 7 Jul 2026 | Recognising the Border Ladies County Golf Association's 360 Challenge | 9 sig. |
| 7 Jul 2026 | World Arthritis Day | 24 sig. |
| 3 Jul 2026 | Congratulations to Izzie Graham on Winning the Scottish Borders Active Travel Schools Video Competition | 9 sig. |
| 3 Jul 2026 | Congratulations to Trinity Primary School in Hawick on Success in Active Travel Schools Video Competition | 9 sig. |
| 3 Jul 2026 | Celebrating the Digital Expansion of the Borders Book Festival | 10 sig. |
Speeches
Recent things Rachael Hamilton has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
25 Jun 2026 Point of Order (draft)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Despite Jenny Gilruth, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, declaring for me my entry in the register of members’ interests after her statement on non-domestic rates on Tuesday, I …
23 Jun 2026 Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill (draft)
The papers for this morning’s committee meeting stated that one of the reasons for the Scottish Government’s not supporting the LCM was that it was at risk of breaking the Sewel convention. Considering that the Scottish National Party is p…
23 Jun 2026 Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill (draft)
Even the legislation for the pandemic had a sunset clause. That bill went through two houses to get to the stage of being passed, and it was expedited. It had amendments that were not even passed or considered. The bill before us is defici…
23 Jun 2026 Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill (draft)
I am not making a speech.What reassurances can the minister give around ensuring that such a serious bill, which has not been scrutinised in the UK Parliament and has not been scrutinised here, is sufficient in terms of the Scottish Govern…
23 Jun 2026 Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill (draft)
I am very concerned about this bill. First, the UK Parliament expedited the bill—it was fast-tracked—yet it confers huge powers on UK Government ministers not only to intervene in a business and take operational control, but to make a busi…
23 Jun 2026 Non-domestic Rates (draft)
Time is running out, and some of Scotland’s businesses are being worn to the bone by rising rates. High streets are also being hollowed out.Will the Scottish Government consider a pause on the collection of non-domestic rates while it sort…
23 Jun 2026 First Minister’s Question Time (draft)
Thousands of people across Scotland have signed a petition to stop the downgrading of fire stations. The First Minister is downplaying the seriousness of that decision by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service after years of underfunding by …
17 Jun 2026 Parliamentary Bureau Motions (draft)
The minister will know that the committee has not yet met and that the committee members were not aware that the convener had rejected the possibility that we could bring in witnesses next week.
17 Jun 2026 Parliamentary Bureau Motions (draft)
The minister will know that the committee has not yet met and that the committee members were not aware that the convener had rejected the possibility that we could bring in witnesses next week.
17 Jun 2026 Parliamentary Bureau Motions (draft)
We are a powerful Parliament. The Parliamentary Bureau should consider that the committee can request to sit on another day. We have a full week left next week. The committee could request that witnesses give evidence on a day when it does…
17 Jun 2026 Parliamentary Bureau Motions (draft)
We are a powerful Parliament. The Parliamentary Bureau should consider that the committee can request to sit on another day. We have a full week left next week. The committee could request that witnesses give evidence on a day when it does…
17 Jun 2026 Parliamentary Bureau Motions (draft)
First, I acknowledge that the Scottish Government requested that the United Kingdom legislation be amended to require consent for the exercise of powers in relation to steel undertakings in Scotland, where those powers are exercised for a …
17 Jun 2026 Parliamentary Bureau Motions (draft)
First, I acknowledge that the Scottish Government requested that the United Kingdom legislation be amended to require consent for the exercise of powers in relation to steel undertakings in Scotland, where those powers are exercised for a …
17 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
The proposals to downgrade Hawick fire station are simply unacceptable, and they have caused months of agony for residents and businesses across the Borders. I strongly believe that Hawick fire station should be a 24/7 service, to ensure p…
17 Jun 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to discuss the future of Hawick fire station. (S7O-00069)
11 Jun 2026 General Question Time (draft)
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests. Over the past couple of months, businesses in the Borders have come to me concerned about the extreme rise in their non-domestic rates. Passing the buck on the me…
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
Earlier, I failed to register my interest as a shareholder in a hospitality business. I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests. I am not clear whether the register of interests has been published, but I am doing t…
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Earlier, I failed—
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
Scotland actually ranks eighth in the UK for FDI. Can the member clarify whether he is referring to the number of projects being invested in, rather than the economic and financial value that is being delivered?
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
Many of the college staff I speak to in my constituency cite the increase in employer national insurance contributions by the Labour Government as one of the reasons why colleges are not investing in people and skills. What representations…
Seat & career
- Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency MSP 7 May 2026 – present
- Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency MSP · Dissolution 6 May 2021 – 8 Apr 2026
- Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire Constituency MSP · Dissolution 8 Jun 2017 – 4 May 2021
- South Scotland (region) Regional MSP · Resigned 5 May 2016 – 2 May 2017
Allowances
2025 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Contact & offices
Parliamentary
The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
Constituency
7 Abbey Court, Kelso, TD5 7JA
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.