Scotland · 75,456Boundary · 2023

Lothian East

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing East Lothian.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by Lab in its first election in 2024.

A returning MP making waves as Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander has been most visibly associated with securing a £9 million government commitment to support workers affected by the Mossmorran petrochemical plant closure in Fife -- chairing the recovery taskforce and personally lobbying for the funding package. That positive coverage is complicated by a recent report suggesting he has been neglecting his co-chair role in the Scottish Labour election campaign while pursuing foreign policy conversations with the Prime Minister, prompting questions about divided priorities. No rebel votes are on record: he has voted with Labour on every occasion where his position is known.

His parliamentary participation rate of 48% -- well below the Commons average -- warrants attention, though his ministerial role as Scottish Secretary will account for some of that absence. When he does vote, he is a 100% party-line voter. His speech activity is substantial (271 contributions across 48 debates), concentrated on economy and jobs, energy, defence, and fiscal policy -- themes that map directly onto his ministerial brief rather than narrowly constituency issues. His stance profile shows strong alignment with progressive taxation and workers' rights, and notable scepticism toward positions coded as pro-business and pro-parliamentary-scrutiny, the latter reflecting consistent votes to override Lords amendments.

233
Commons votes
This parliament
£30k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
75.5k
Electorate
2024 GE

Votes less often than 91% of MPs.

Current Member of Parliament

Douglas Alexander

Douglas Alexander

Labour and Co-operative Party

The Rt Hon Mr Douglas Alexander is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Lothian East, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. He currently holds the Government post of Secretary of State for Scotland.

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Voting at a Glance

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by Lab in its first election in 2024.

2024 General Election

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

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

§ 07The record, at a glance.233 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Alexander 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
Economy
61
Taxation
59
Employment
32
Welfare and Benefits
24
Education
19
Constitution and Democracy
17
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip

No rebellions or free votes recorded yet.

§ 08The local picture.5 wards

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

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Dunbar East LintonDonna Collins1,395Conserva
Dunbar East LintonLyn Jardine1,742Scottish
Dunbar East LintonNorman Hampshire1,643Labour P
Haddington LammermuirGeorge McGuire1,714Conserva
Haddington LammermuirJohn McMillan1,228Labour P
Haddington LammermuirShamin Akhtar1,625Labour P
Haddington LammermuirTom Trotter1,107Scottish
North Berwick CoastalCarol McFarlane1,447Labour P
North Berwick CoastalJeremy Findlay1,389Conserva
North Berwick CoastalLiz Allan1,360Scottish
PrestonsetongosfordBrooke Ritchie978Labour P
PrestonsetongosfordColin Yorkston1,569Labour P
Median income
£29,500
HMRC SPI 2024
Next · dig deeperEvery division, question, speech and committee record

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record → Data view

Filter divisions, search written questions, read every speech since the election. Sortable, searchable, downloadable.

More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.