Hello!
I’m Rachael Hamilton, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
I have served as the MSP for this wonderful constituency since 2017. I was delighted to win local people’s trust again in 2021 with over 51% of the vote.
It is an honour and a privilege to represent Ettrick Roxburgh and Berwickshire and I will do all I can to make this the best place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, and eventually, retire. I love the Borders and I want to make sure everybody who lives here has the brilliant opportunities they need to thrive, and the first-class public services they deserve, whenever they need them.
Let me give you a brief run-through of what I did before I became an MSP. I was born in Brecon, Wales and went on to study agriculture at Harper Adams University before working as an agronomist, which is a role that specialises in crop production and soil management.
In 2008, I became a director of our family-run hospitality business, based here in the Borders. Around that time, I started in politics as a campaign manager for John Lamont MP.
During the 2014 referendum, I was very active and put myself forward to make the positive case for Scotland remaining part of our United Kingdom. I played a co-ordinating role in the Better Together campaign in the South of Scotland.
Since I have been elected as an MSP, my top priority is always the Scottish Borders, but I have also been lucky enough to hold numerous other prominent positions.
Most recently, I was appointed the Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives. Under the new leadership of Russell Findlay, I look forward to working together as we continue to strengthen our party and make a positive impact for Scotland. I’m excited to get to work and deliver for those who want to see politicians talking common sense, for a change.
I was previously the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands. Given my background in agriculture, it was a privilege to be able to represent people in rural areas and be a strong voice for farmers in the Scottish Parliament.
As the party’s spokesperson on the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill, I was proud to stand up for women’s rights and safety when the SNP brought the GRR Bill forward. That Bill was a shambles and I was pleased, after holding discussion with members of the UK Government, that they stepped in to prevent it becoming law. If it had been allowed to go ahead, it would have risked women’s safety, reduced our right to single-sex spaces, and had a negative impact on equalities legislation.
I have also been the Chairwoman of the Scottish Conservatives and for several years, I have been one of the main organisers for Women2Win Scotland, which works hard to help, support and encourage more women to get into politics.
Thank you for visiting my website. Please get in touch if I can help you with a local issue. I can be contacted by phone, by email, at my local office or at one of my regular advice surgery sessions.
Rachael