About your Member of Parliament

Your MP (Douglas Alexander) represents you, and all of the people who live in Lothian East, at the UK Parliament in Westminster.

MPs split their time between Parliament and their constituency. In Parliament, they debate and vote on new laws, review existing laws, and question the Government. In the constituency, their focus is on supporting local people and championing local issues. They have a small staff team who help with casework, maintain their diaries, and monitor their inbox.

What you can do

• Find out more about your MP, including their voting summary, register of interests and recent speeches.
• Write to your MP, or find out about your other local representatives on WriteToThem.com.
• Find out more about Lothian East on the Local Intelligence Hub.

Profile

Labour/Co-operative MP for Lothian East

Entered the House of Commons on 6 November 1997 — Byelection

Party was Labour until 30 Mar 2015

Also represented Paisley and Renfrewshire South; Paisley South

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Social Media

• UK Parliament Profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
• Work and Pensions
• International Development
• Treasury
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Syria
• Afghanistan
• Libya: Armed Conflict
• European Union
• Iran

Currently held offices

• Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (since 10 Feb 2025)
• Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (since 6 Jul 2024)

Other offices held in the past

• Shadow Foreign Secretary (20 Jan 2011 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions ( 8 Oct 2010 to 20 Jan 2011)
• Shadow Secretary of State for International Development (12 May 2010 to 8 Oct 2010)
• The Secretary of State for International Development (28 Jun 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• The Secretary of State for Scotland ( 5 May 2006 to 28 Jun 2007)
• The Secretary of State for Transport ( 5 May 2006 to 28 Jun 2007)
• Minister of State (Europe) (10 May 2005 to 5 May 2006)
• Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (Trade) (also Department of Trade and Industry) ( 9 Sep 2004 to 10 May 2005)
• Minister of State (Department of Trade and Industry) (Trade) (also Foreign and Commonwealth Office) ( 9 Sep 2004 to 10 May 2005)
• Minister of State (Cabinet Office) and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (13 Jun 2003 to 9 Sep 2004)
• Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (30 May 2002 to 13 Jun 2003)
• Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness) (11 Jun 2001 to 29 May 2002)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Civil Contingencies Bill Committee (5 out of 8)
• Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Enterprise Bill Committee (4 out of 19)

Recent appearances

• Business and Trade: Trade Agreements Programme 12 Jun 2025

  The UK’s recent trade agreements with India, the United States and the European Union confirm that, under this Government, Britain is back and open for business. These deals open markets and cut tariffs and will contribute to growth across the United Kingdom. For example, our deal with the EU—our closest and largest trading partner—contributes to our promise to reset our relations with...

• Business and Trade: Trade Agreements Programme 12 Jun 2025

  I pay tribute to Cumbernauld’s advanced manufacturing capability. It is estimated that the UK-India free trade agreement will boost the whole UK economy by £4.8 billion and grow trade with India by over £25 billion annually. The Scotch Whisky Association forecasts £1 billion in extra exports and 1,200 new jobs. For Irn-Bru, which I understand is headquartered in my hon. Friend’s...

• Business and Trade: Trade Agreements Programme 12 Jun 2025

  I pay tribute to the craftsmanship and global ambitions of Alex Begg in Ayr. My mother’s side of the family are all from Ayrshire, so it would be a personal pleasure to visit Ayrshire, as my hon. Friend suggests. I would suggest that we could visit Alex Begg during the summer recess, but then again, as Billy Connolly once observed: “There are two seasons in Scotland: June and winter.”

More of Douglas Alexander’s recent appearances

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