Wednesday March 25th 2026
Miles Briggs MSP
Miles Briggs MSP writes his last monthly column before the Scottish Parliamentary election.
Ten years ago this May, I had the huge honour of being elected to serve you as a Lothian MSP and was returned again in 2021. I have never taken a single vote for granted and during my time as an MSP, it has become clear that things only get done by listening to and working with local people.
Over the past decade, I have fought for the people of Lothian and led a number of important campaigns, from the fight for a new Eye Hospital to keeping health services as close to patients and families as possible and the vital investment we need to see in our GP services.
I have consistently raised the very real concern that we are not seeing the investment in our public services our communities at the same time as we see the fastest-growing population in Scotland, while receiving the lowest funding per capita for council and health services. I will continue to challenge whoever forms the Scottish Government and if re-elected will demand a fairer funding settlement for Lothian so that our towns, cities, and public services can thrive.
I was the first MSP to call on SNP Ministers to heed warnings and declare a housing emergency in Edinburgh – sadly since that intervention we have not seen the emergency response we should have from Ministers. I do not accept that we should just stand by as the number of children living in temporary accomodatio0n here in the Capital continues to go unchallenged – we need to end rough sleeping and deliver the safe, warm homes for all of our citizens which many of us take for granted.
Another campaign that I have been passionate about is investment in our transport infrastructure and the much-needed upgrade of the Sheriffhall roundabout. Nearly twenty years after it was first raised as a problem, the Scottish Government has made zero progress on it. It is unacceptable that drivers in Lothian spend hours of their month stuck in traffic and I am determined to make sure we secure the green light for this critical investment early in the next Parliament.
Since becoming the Shadow Minister for Education, I have made it my mission to restore discipline in the classroom so that our children and teachers alike are safe to learn and teach in every schools. There are many strengths to our Scottish education system but it is clear that we face many challenges and that is why I believe the next Parliament must work to restore
For too long, the issues that matter to the Scottish people – healthcare, crime, education and public services – have taken a back seat as the SNP Government have chosen division and distraction over meaningful politics. That is why at this election the Scottish Conservatives offer something different to the status quo – we are offering common-sense politics with practical solutions, and a chance to turn the page on the SNP obsession with independence.
At the last Scottish Parliament election, it was only thanks to pro-UK voters here in Lothian lending their peach party votes to the Scottish Conservative & Unionist party that stopped the SNP winning a majority. That is why I am asking you to lend me your support again and vote Scottish Conservative on your peach ballot at the election on May 7th.
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