Under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998, regional members of the Scottish Parliament who resign, die or are otherwise disqualified are replaced by the next available and willing person of their original party's list, so no by-election occurs.
These are the changes that have occurred since the first elections in 1999.
List of regional list member changes
2026–present Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseGlasgow22 July 2026Anas Sarwar Monica Lennon Resignation following appointment to House of LordsNorth East Scotland24 June 2026Douglas Lumsden James Adams Resignation (elected as MP)
2021–2026 Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseHighlands and Islands9 February 2024Donald Cameron Tim Eagle Resignation following appointment to House of LordsMid Scotland and Fife5 September 2022Dean Lockhart Roz McCall Resignation (to pursue new opportunities)
2016–2021 Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseLothian15 July 2019 Kezia Dugdale Sarah Boyack Resignation (Appointment as director of the John Smith Centre for Public Service)Highlands and Islands13 June 2017Douglas Ross Jamie Halcro Johnston Resignation (elected as MP)North East Scotland13 June 2017Ross Thomson Tom Mason Resignation (elected as MP)South Scotland4 May 2017Rachael Hamilton Michelle Ballantyne Resignation in order to contest Ettrick, Roxburgh and BerwickshireNorth East Scotland7 December 2016Alex Johnstone Bill Bowman Death
2011–2016 Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseMid Scotland and Fife11 January 2016Richard Baker Lesley Brennan ResignationLothian4 April 2014Margo MacDonald None (seat left vacant) DeathLothian12 August 2013David McLetchie Cameron Buchanan DeathNorth East Scotland15 May 2013Mark McDonald Christian Allard Resignation in order to contest Aberdeen DonsideMid Scotland and Fife7 December 2012John Park Jayne Baxter Resignation to take up a post with the Community Trade Union
2007–2011 Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseGlasgow6 February 2009Bashir Ahmad Anne McLaughlin DeathLothians31 August 2007Stefan Tymkewycz Shirley-Anne Somerville Resignation to concentrate on Edinburgh City Council work.
2003–2007 Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseHighlands and Islands19 April 2006Mary Scanlon Dave Petrie Resignation in order to contest MorayNorth East Scotland19 April 2006Richard Lochhead Maureen Watt Resignation in order to contest MoraySouth of Scotland22 June 2005David Mundell Derek Brownlee Resignation (elected as MP)Mid Scotland and Fife10 January 2005Keith Raffan Andrew Arbuckle Resignation (citing health)
1999–2003 Parliamentary term
Region Date Incumbent Party Replacement Party CauseMid Scotland and Fife14 August 2001Nick Johnston Murdo Fraser Resignation (ill health)
See also Elections in Scotland List of by-elections to the Scottish Parliament Regional member changes to the Senedd
References