Rachael Hamilton
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Constituency) 2017 - present day
Former MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - 2017
About Rachael Hamilton
Contact details
Contact online
Website: rachaelhamilton.co.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @Rachael2Win
Facebook: Rachael's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6970
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
7 Abbey Court
Kelso
TD5 7JA
Phone: 01573 224862
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Cross-party groups
Rachael is a member of 15 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Building Bridges with Israel
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Dyslexia
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on End of Life Choices
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fisheries and Coastal Communities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gardening and Horticulture
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Independent Convenience Stores
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Outdoor Education
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scottish Horseracing and Bloodstock Industries
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Social Enterprise
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on St Andrew's Day
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on USA
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Women's Health
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Rachael does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Rachael has 2 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Islands
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Rachael has had 20 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
25 May 2022 - 29 June 2023
Equalities Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Member
17 June 2021 - 01 February 2023
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Member
08 September 2021 - 25 May 2022
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Substitute Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Older People
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
25 February 2020 - 04 May 2021
Culture Tourism Europe and External Affairs Committee
Substitute Member
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Social Security Committee
Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Member
28 June 2017 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Co-Chair
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
10 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Party Spokesperson on Culture
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
17 May 2018 - 10 September 2019
Public Petitions Committee
Member
21 June 2017 - 17 May 2018
Culture Tourism Europe and External Relations Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 02 May 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
26 May 2016 - 02 May 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Business
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 September 2016 - 02 May 2017
Culture Tourism Europe and External Relations Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 17 November 2016
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
European and External Relations Committee
Member
Register of interests
Rachael's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Rachael Hamilton has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "The cabinet secretary is absolutely right that, in the views of farmers and crofters across the United Kingdom, the CAP system was seriously flawed. It disproportionately benefited some EU states and did not give sufficient funding for smaller farms…
Chamber meeting date: 26 March 2024
Points of Order
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance. One of my colleagues, Stephen Kerr, who has been mentioned already, was today threatened by the Deputy First Minister, who said that he would “fall from a very high place”…
Chamber meeting date: 26 March 2024
Points of Order
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance. One of my colleagues, Stephen Kerr, who has been mentioned already, was today threatened by the Deputy First Minister, who said that he would “fall from a very high place”…
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
External Stakeholder Events
1. Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on the waiting time for external stakeholder parliamentary events sponsored by MSPs. (S6O-03251)"
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): "I welcome the minister’s confirmation on Tuesday that historical offences will not be a basis for revoking a licence that is granted under proposed section 16AA of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981…
Votes
How Rachael Hamilton has voted in Parliament
Find out how Rachael Hamilton has voted recently.
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Clare Adamson, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 22 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Natalie Don, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 69 for, 49 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 31 for, 69 against, 20 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 18, 2024
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 21, 2024
Result 85 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Rachael Hamilton in Parliament
Find out what motions Rachael Hamilton has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Rachael Hamilton has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Borders to ensure that the 18-week child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) waiting time standard is met."
Answer expected on 22 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what information and signposting to alternative support is communicated to families and young people in cases where a referral to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) has been rejected."
Answer expected on 22 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated to preventative and early interventions in each year since 2016, also broken down by NHS board area."
Answer expected on 22 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to young people whose referral to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) has been rejected."
Answer expected on 22 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 21 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the planned minimum land size threshold required for farmers to receive agricultural payments under the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, including what assessment it undertook to arrive at the planned threshold of 3ha, and what evidence supports this decision."
Answer expected on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 14 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on the waiting time for external stakeholder parliamentary events sponsored by MSPs."
Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been convicted of livestock worrying since the increased penalties were introduced in November 2021."
Answered by Angela Constance on 12 March 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps have been taken to improve diagnosis times for those affected by brain tumours."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to people with optic discs showing signs of papilloedema, whether cancer pathways exist in all NHS boards for optometrists to refer patients directly to secondary care."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether any consideration has been given to expanding the referrals criteria that are used by healthcare professionals in primary care to refer patients to Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services."
Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2024
See all of Rachael Hamilton's questions submitted in Parliament