Colin Beattie and his SNP team following the winning announcement
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Colin Beattie has won the Midlothian North constituency, securing the area for his 4th term as MSP.
The SNP candidate defeated strong Labour and Reform competition to secure the recently changed boundary area, strongly winning despite Musselburgh being taken away from the constituency.
Explaining that there is still ‘a lot to do’ in the area, Beattie and his team entered the election count with optimism despite threats from Caitlin Stott’s Labour and the Reform UK newcomer.
Midlothian North 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election result:
| Party | Votes |
|---|---|
| Colin Beattie (Scottish National Party) | 11,250 |
| Jenny Claire Marr Butler (Scottish Liberal Democrats) | 2,387 |
| Pal Chidambaram (Reform UK) | 4,506 |
| Phil Doggart (Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party) | 2,032 |
| Caitlin Stott (Scottish Labour and Cooperative Party0 | 8,754 |
| Total Votes | 29,065 |
Turnout this year: 51.2%
Turnout last time: 61.7%
The seat was watched closely leading up to the election, following the Midlothian View hosted hustings, as Colin Beattie looked to secure his seat after three terms as MSP. Aiming to benefit from a reliable core vote and gain from the absence of a Scottish Greens candidate that could have split the pro-independence votes, Beattie seemed most likely to win despite strong opposition from Labour from voters seeking a change.
Gaining strong attention due to recent issues in the area surrounding public transport and services, it was regarded as an important vote as many accused Beattie as not doing enough.
The battle was viewed as very much a test of SNP’s resilience against a Labour threat, with Reform UK’s recent growth playing an important role in shaking up Midlothian North’s voting, threatening the Scottish Conservatives.
Colin Beattie defeated a strong Scottish Labour candidate in Caitlin Stott who looked to attract voters seeking a shift from the 20 past years of SNP rule but fell short.
Following his win, Beattie expressed his appreciation to being reelected to the area, highlighting the challenges that the new constituency boundaries brought.
He explained: “I never tempt fate by saying we are going to win but the election looked quote promising from the beginning.
“It has been a much different constituency and I think that is reflected in the number of votes.”
Since Musselburgh was moved into another constituency, the number of voters had reduced.
Beattie also highlighted the new coming threat of Reform UK, labelling their candidate Pal Chadambaram as a ‘disrupter’.
He added: “The problem is this year, we had a disruptor but I am ever so pleased that they came in third.”
Following the winner announcement Beattie highlighted that over the past 15 years in his tenure as MSP he ‘endeavoured to deliver a service to the constituents that is both efficient and respectful’.
He added: “This will continue to be the case, there is much more to achieve here in Midlothian North and together I believe we can do a great deal”.
SNP Calum Kerr, winner of the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency
SNP’s Calum Kerr has won the Midlothian South, Tweedale and Lauderdale seat after taking over from long-standing MSP Christine Graham.
He brought in 14,091 votes, more than doubling runner up Keith Cockburn from the Conservatives who received 6,930.
Reform UK brought in 4,199, Labour received 4,614 and the Lib Dems came in third with 4,649.
Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election result:
| Party | Votes |
|---|---|
| Calum Kerr (Scottish National Party) | 14,091 |
| Keith Cockburn (Scottish Conservative Part) | 6,930 |
| Duncan Dunlop (Scottish Liberal Democrat Party) | 4,649 |
| Daniel Coleman (Scottish Labour Party) | 4,614 |
| Carolyn Grant (Reform UK) | 4,199 |
| Turnout | 55.2% |
This confirms that both of Midlothian’s constituencies are SNP after Colin Beattie won Midlothian North.
The Midlothian North election count begins
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The count is officially underway in the Midlothian North constituency as candidates, counting staff and party activists gather at Lasswade High School with separate goals of securing the long-held SNP seat.
Following the Midlothian View hosted Midlothian North election hustings, it is set to be an interesting race as SNP candidate Colin Beattie fights to defend his seat after three terms as MSP against a strong challenge from Labour, Conservative threats and the recent Reform UK shakeup.
Candidates and party members arrived at the count centre early this morning for the first day time count since the change.
See below live updates since the count began:
Live updates:
13:30: Scottish Labour candidate Caitlin Stott arrives to the count.
12:15: Returning officer shares turnout numbers
The Returning Officer has announced that the total number of ballot papers to be counted is 29,067 with an elector turnout of 51.2%.
12:01: Reform UK candidate optimistic, predicting a ‘fairly good turnout’
With Reform threatening all parties, candidate Pal Chidabaram expressed his optimism, explaining to the Midlothian View that he is ‘predicting a fairly good turnout’.
He explained: “In 2024, we had a 7% vote share. So as far as we are concerned, if we have more than that we are doing well and we are expected to grow as the party grows’.
Talking at the Midlothian North hustings on the 22 April, the candidate explained that he had ‘only been a politician for three weeks’, despite this is showing to be a strong threat against Caitlin Stott.
10:47: Conservative show lack of optimism and highlighted Reform UK threat
The concern that Reform UK would split Conservative votes was highlighted by Conservative candidate Phil Doggart who explained to me that ‘SNP have won but Reform are taking a huge chunk of constituency votes’.
Doggart told me that he isn’t confident about his chances, with Reform UK taking Conservative votes.
He also highlighted that Reform are causing a great concern to Labour.
10:36: Beattie enthusiastic but concerned about Reform threat
Fighting for his seat that he has defended since since 2011, SNP candidate Colin Beattie aims to continue being Midlothian North’s MSP following the vote.
Speaking to Beattie at the count, he explained to me that he is enthusiastic but concerned about Reform UK who ‘are showing to be a real threat’.
Since taken from Labour in 2011, it has been a solid SNP seat but this new threat from Reform is causing concern amongst Beattie and his team, explaining that he is ‘enthusiastic’ but unsure and concerned about Reform UK’s Pal Chidambaram threat which he added as ‘causing a great concern to Labour’.
10:30AM: SNP optimism
As SNP benefit from a reliable core vote with pro-independence votes not split due to no contingency candidate from the Scottish Green’s, Colin Beattie’s team are keeping an eager eye as Labour reliant on strong mobilisation amongst voters seeking a change in government.
Turnout seems strong which is key for Stott as herself and her team target change voters in the constituency. Labour MP Kirsty McNeil stands opposite counting staff, taking a note of the votes so far.
The count is going smoothly. SNP continues to show optimism, crowding counting tables.
Labour and Conservative show similar enthusiasm, despite no sign of Labour candidate Caitlin Stott.
09:48: Midlothian Council leader comes to show support
Midlothian Council leader Kelly Parry and Midlothian Provost Debbi McCall arrive at Lasswade High School to show support for SNP.
09:15AM – Count begins in Midlothian North
Ballot boxes have been opened and the count has begun.
Candidates and their teams gather round ballot boxes with the goal of gaming an early understanding of voters’ decisions.
The candidates:
– Colin Beattie (SNP)
– Caitlin Stott (Scottish Labour and Co-operative Party)
– Phil Doggart (Conservative and Unionist Party)
– Pal Chidambaram (Reform UK)
– Jenny Claire Marr Butler (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
Why this seat matters:
Like other seats, Midlothian North is a new constituency after Musselburgh was taken out of the constituency due to boundary changes.
Historically, being an area of SNP supporters, turnout is key as Beattie defends his seat with the SNP aiming to benefit from a reliable core vote. With no Scottish Green candidate in Midlothian North, pro-independence votes won’t be split.
Due to recent issues in the area and political shift, Labour candidate Caitlin Stott and her team are looking to challenge Beattie, targeting the voters who are seeking change after 20 years of SNP rule. Recent issues surround public transport and services, which Stott has been a strong supporter of. With the possibility of Conservative votes being split with Reform, it is also an interesting battle for Conservative candidate Phil Doggart and Reform UK newcomer Pal Chidambaram.
