An independent body is carrying out a public consultation on changes to voting areas in Scotland ahead of the upcoming Holyrood election in 2026, where members of the public will vote for Members of Scottish Parliament to represent their area.
The body, Boundaries Scotland, is currently undertaking its first review of Holyrood constituencies since 2011.
However changes to constituency areas will only happen, provided they are given the approval of ministers.
Here’s everything you need to know about the potential changes.
The Second Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries started in September 2022. In early 2023 and again in April/May 2024, Boundaries Scotland consulted on proposals for constituency boundaries and names.
If the Review recommends changes in your area, your constituency may get bigger or smaller. You may even find you're voting in a new or different constituency, even though you haven't moved house.
The consultation is only proposing changes to seven of Scotland’s eight parliamentary regions.
The review of constituencies will cover the 70 mainland constituencies. The constituencies of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands are protected in legislation and so excluded from this review
The Mid Scotland and Fife region remains unchanged.
Under the new proposals, Central Scotland will now take in the Almond Valley and Linlithgow constituencies, as well as Whitburn, which now forms part of the Airdrie seat. Central Scotland would lose the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency.
The Hamilton seat will instead move to the South Scotland region, which loses Stewarton in Ayrshire and the newly-formed East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs constituency.
Stewarton, part of the Cunninghame South seat, will move into the West Scotland region under the plans, which will lose Renfrew, Erskine and Bishopton to the Glasgow region.
The Lothian region, meanwhile, would expand to include the East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs seat.
Both the Highlands and Islands and North East Scotland regions will see small changes to follow a new constituency boundary at Arradoul, Moray.
The population of different areas changes over time, but it's important that each MSP is elected by roughly the same number of people.
Boundaries Scotland undertakes reviews of Scottish Parliament boundaries every 8-12 years to ensure each region or constituency has an equal number of electors.
The consultation on the changes will run from September 26 to October 26.
Under the proposals, there is nine areas set to change name. They are:
14 seats will some small boundary changes. They are:
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
Holyrood Election Shake-up: Glasgow Loses a Seat, MSPs Scramble for Survival
The proposed boundary changes for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election are causing a stir in Glasgow, where one seat is set to disappear, creating a scramble for survival among current MSPs.
According to the new proposals, Glasgow will lose one of its eight constituency MSPs, leaving just seven representatives. This means one incumbent will be left out in the cold and unable to stand for re-election.
The Boundary Commission's recommendations also call for several changes in the names of the city's Holyrood constituencies, with boundaries being merged and some names changing.
The proposed constituencies are:
- Glasgow Anniesland
- Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston
- Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok
- Glasgow Central
- Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn
- Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill
- Glasgow Southside
The most notable change is the disappearance of Glasgow Provan, the constituency currently held by Ivan McKee. It is being absorbed into the new Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston constituency, leaving McKee without a safe haven if he wishes to seek re-election.
Political Battles Brewing
With the stakes higher than ever, the battle for the seven remaining seats in Glasgow is likely to be fierce. Many former MPs are said to be eyeing a return to frontline politics, including:
- Alison Thewliss, former MP for Glasgow Central
- Stewart McDonald, former MP for Glasgow South
- David Linden, former MP for Glasgow East
- Anne McLaughlin, former MP for Glasgow North East
These former MPs are likely to be formidable contenders, vying for the chance to represent their communities in the Scottish Parliament.
The proposed boundary changes are not only affecting Glasgow. Edinburgh is also facing its own challenges, with a shift in power potentially favoring the Scottish Greens. The Edinburgh Central seat is set to be redrawn, bringing in areas with a high student population, which could benefit the Greens.
The potential shift in power in Edinburgh could impact the position of Angus Robertson, the current Scottish Government Constitution Secretary, who could be unseated by the Greens. Robertson's previous meeting with an Israeli ambassador, which garnered criticism, could further fuel the Green's ambitions.
Falkirk Stays Put, But Others Face Changes
While Glasgow and Edinburgh are facing significant boundary changes, Falkirk will remain unchanged for the upcoming election. The review confirmed that the Falkirk East and Falkirk West constituencies will keep their existing boundaries and names.
This decision comes after Falkirk Council objected to a proposal to incorporate Denny and Banknock into the Cumbernauld & Kilsyth constituency. The council argued that the changes would be confusing for voters and difficult to manage, given that the areas are also local authority wards.
A Region-Wide Review
The review of Scottish Parliament boundaries is not limited to individual constituencies. It also encompasses changes to the regional constituencies, which elect seven MSPs each.
The review proposes several changes to the regional constituencies, with some gaining seats while others lose them. Notably, Central Scotland will gain the Almond Valley and Linlithgow constituencies, as well as Whitburn, while losing the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency. The Hamilton seat will move to the South Scotland region, which will also lose Stewarton in Ayrshire and the East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs constituency.
These changes are designed to ensure that each region has a fair representation based on its population. The consultation period for these changes is from September 26 to October 26, giving members of the public the opportunity to voice their opinions and suggestions.
A Time of Change
The proposed changes to the Scottish Parliament boundaries are a reminder of the ever-changing political landscape. With elections looming, it is time for MSPs and political parties to prepare for a new era of representation, where boundaries are redefined and battles for seats are fought anew. It remains to be seen how these proposed changes will ultimately play out, but one thing is clear: the political map of Scotland is about to be redrawn.
The Road Ahead
With the final phase of the review nearing completion, the next few months will be crucial in determining the fate of constituencies across Scotland. The public consultation is a vital opportunity for citizens to have their say and influence the future of their political representation. The review is expected to conclude by May 2025, with any changes implemented for the Scottish Parliament election in May 2026.
It's important to note that the proposed changes do not affect health boards or council areas. The review only affects the boundaries for Scottish Parliament elections and will not impact how local services are accessed.
