Lothians (Scottish Parliament electoral region) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lothians
Former electoral region for the Scottish Parliament
Lothians shown within Scotland
Former electoral region
Created	1999
Abolished	2011
Council areas	City of Edinburgh East Lothian (part) Midlothian (part) West Lothian
Constituencies	Edinburgh Central Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Edinburgh Pentlands Edinburgh South Edinburgh West Linlithgow Livingston Midlothian

The Lothians was an important area in the Scottish Parliament. It was one of eight "electoral regions" from 1999 to 2011. The Scottish Parliament, also known as Holyrood, is where laws are made for Scotland.

This region helped elect 16 MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament). Nine of these MSPs were chosen directly by voters in smaller areas called "constituencies." The other seven MSPs were chosen using a special system to make sure all parties were fairly represented.

The Lothians region was next to the South of Scotland and Central Scotland regions. It was also connected to the Mid Scotland and Fife region by bridges over the Firth of Forth. After 2011, a new region called Lothian largely took its place.

Areas and Voting Districts

The Lothians region included all of the City of Edinburgh and West Lothian council areas. A small part of East Lothian and Midlothian council areas were also included.

Inside the Lothians region, there were nine smaller voting areas called constituencies. Each of these constituencies elected one MSP directly. These constituencies were set up in 1999.

Here are the constituencies that were part of the Lothians region:

Map

Constituency

Lothians region with numbered constituencies

Edinburgh Central: This area covered the middle part of the City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh East and Musselburgh: This included the northeast of Edinburgh and the Musselburgh area. Edinburgh North and Leith: This covered the northern part of the City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Pentlands: This was in the southwest of the City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh South: This covered the southeast of the City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh West: This was in the northwest of the City of Edinburgh. Linlithgow: This covered the eastern part of West Lothian. Livingston: This covered the western part of West Lothian. Midlothian: This included the eastern part of Midlothian.

Members of Parliament for Lothians

The people elected to represent the Lothians region in the Scottish Parliament were called MSPs. They served from 1999 until 2011. After 2011, the new Lothian region was used for elections.

Constituency MSPs

These MSPs were elected directly by voters in their specific constituency.

Regional List MSPs

These MSPs were elected based on the total votes for parties across the whole Lothians region.

Election Results Summary

Elections were held to choose MSPs for the Lothians region. Here's a quick look at how the seats were won in the last two elections for this region:

2007 Scottish Parliament Election

In the 2007 election, MSPs were chosen from different political parties:

• Labour won 5 MSPs (4 from constituencies, 1 from the regional list).
• SNP won 5 MSPs (2 from constituencies, 3 from the regional list).
• Liberal Democrats won 2 MSPs (both from constituencies).
• Conservative won 2 MSPs (1 from a constituency, 1 from the regional list).
• Green Party won 1 MSP (from the regional list).
• 1 Independent MSP was also elected (from the regional list).

After this election, one MSP, Stefan Tymkewycz, resigned in August 2007. He was replaced by Shirley-Anne Somerville.

2003 Scottish Parliament Election

In the 2003 election, the MSPs elected were:

• Labour won 6 MSPs (all from constituencies).
• Liberal Democrats won 2 MSPs (both from constituencies).
• Conservative won 2 MSPs (1 from a constituency, 1 from the regional list).
• Green Party won 2 MSPs (both from the regional list).
• SNP won 2 MSPs (both from the regional list).
• 1 Independent MSP was elected (from the regional list).
• 1 Scottish Socialist Party MSP was elected (from the regional list).