Says he will value carers, those they care for and stand for human rights

Alex Cole-Hamilton, former head of policy at Aberlour, has been confirmed leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Cole-Hamilton was elected in 2016 for Edinburgh Western, the year in which he won one to watch at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards.

He has been the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health since his election and was instrumental in securing funding for HIV Scotland.

Before entering Parliament, he worked for Aberlour Child Care Trust as head of policy, having previously worked for Fairbridge in Scotland and YouthLink Scotland as a senior policy and parliamentary officer. He was also convener and director of Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) and was involved in the campaign to allow looked after children to stay in care up to the age of 21.

He was also a board member of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

In a speech he said: “Under my leadership the Scottish Liberal Democrats will fight the climate emergency with ferocity but without the baggage of nationalism, value carers and those they care for, stand for human rights, offer new hope for business big and small, reach for the best education in the world and deliver the standard of public services our people are clamouring for.

“We turn a new page in the history of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and look forward with new hope and brimming confidence to a brighter chapter in the future of our country.”