Scotland’s largest city translates to a trimmed down region for the next election, something that counter-intuitively might slightly ease the Greens’ path to finally claiming a second MSP here.
Author: Ballot Box Scotland
SP26: Edinburgh and Lothians East Region Preview
Radical changes have come to the Capital and its environs, setting up some potentially intriguing constituency contests for the Lib Dems and Greens.
SP26: Central Scotland and Lothians West Region Preview
A substantially redrawn region may prove an interesting test for Reform UK’s strength in post-industrial Scotland.
By-Election Preview: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor (East Renfrewshire) 21st of August 2025
The sad death of a long-serving Labour stalwart kicks off what could be a close contest between them and the SNP in East Renfrewshire’s most left-leaning ward.
SP26: The SNP didn’t “break” the voting system in 2011… but this time they might
The idea that the SNP “broke” the Scottish Parliament voting system in 2011 is a myth that won’t die, but it might finally come to pass in 2026.
Poll Analysis: Ipsos 12th – 18th of June 2025
A truly catastrophic poll for the Conservatives, and a perhaps overcooked record set of figures for the Greens, whilst the SNP’s constituency advantage continues to give them far more than their fare share.
By-Election Result: Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart
Another big victory for the Edinburgh Lib Dem by-election machine nonetheless contains some good news for Labour and the Greens, whilst the SNP and Conservatives would lose their seats if all 3 were up.
By-Election Result: Eilean a’ Cheò (2025)
Skye loves an Independent and this by-election was no different, though the victor saw a strong Lib Dem challenge.
By-Election Result: Cromarty Firth (2025)
A typically strong showing for Highland Independents leads one to victory over a slightly rebounding, but not fully recovered SNP, whilst the Lib Dems experience a surprising slide and we see how far Reform have come in the past 9 months.
By-Election Result: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Everyone wanted this by-election to be a dramatic turning point for the 2026 election. Under the hood though, all we got was confirmation current polling is pretty much accurate.