Scotland · 73,784Boundary · 2023

Edinburgh South West

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Dispatch
Apr 2026

Represented by Lab since 2024.

Securing royal assent for a Private Member's Bill is rare in Westminster -- Scott Arthur managed it. His Rare Cancers Bill, developed with over 40 charities and driven by personal experience following his father-in-law's death from glioblastoma, became law in early 2026, earning him a parliamentary award. His most significant departures from Labour's line have come on assisted dying: in June 2025, he voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Third Reading and on a liberalising amendment, while supporting two other amendments that would have added new provisions -- suggesting a nuanced position focused on specific safeguards rather than blanket opposition.

At 84% voting participation and 97% party alignment, Arthur is an engaged but largely loyal backbencher. His stance profile shows consistent support for progressive taxation and the government budget, with notable distance from the party on workers' rights (-8pp) and civil liberties (0% aligned). He diverges from Labour colleagues most clearly on transparency (+34pp above party average) and climate action (+10pp). His 58 contributions span economy and jobs, social care, defence, and cost-of-living, with health featuring despite not topping the list -- his committee seat is on Transport, where delivery rider safety in Edinburgh South West has generated local coverage.

392
Commons votes
This parliament
£31k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
73.8k
Electorate
2024 GE

Lab regained this seat from SNP — last held it in 2010.

Current Member of Parliament

Scott Arthur

Scott Arthur

Labour Party

Dr Scott Arthur is the Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

Notable Votes

Vote on an amendment to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that would prevent someone from qualifying as 'terminally ill' under the Bill solely because they have voluntarily stopped eating and drinking. This matters because without the amendment, a person could potentially use voluntary starvation to meet the terminal illness threshold and access an assisted death.

MP voted NoAgainst party majority

Vote on whether to add a provision to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill ensuring that if an independent doctor dies or becomes too ill to complete their assessment before signing off on an assisted dying request, a further referral can be made to another doctor — mirroring an existing provision in the Bill for the attending doctor.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority

A procedural vote on whether to allow New Clause 16 to be formally considered as part of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Report Stage, after proceedings had been interrupted on 13 June when an objection was raised. The debate excerpts do not reveal the substantive content of New Clause 16.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority

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Voting at a Glance

Represented by Lab since 2024.

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Arthur’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.428 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Arthur has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
90
Economy
70
Crime & Policing
44
Employment
38
Welfare and Benefits
29
Education
28
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Amendment 7720 Jun 2025 · free vote
No
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Amendment 1220 Jun 2025 · free vote
Aye
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: New Clause 1620 Jun 2025 · free vote
Aye
§ 08The local picture.2 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
ColintonfairmileheadJason RustConserva
ColintonfairmileheadMarco BiagiScottish
ColintonfairmileheadScott ArthurLabour P
FountainbridgecraiglockhartChristopher CowdyConserva
FountainbridgecraiglockhartDavid KeyScottish
FountainbridgecraiglockhartVal WalkerLabour P
Median income
£30,900
HMRC SPI 2024
Schools
1
0 primary · 0 secondary
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More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.