2003 Scottish Parliament election

The 2003 Scottish Parliament election was the second election of members to the Scottish Parliament. It was held on 1 May 2003 and it brought no change in terms of control of the Scottish Executive. Jack McConnell, the Labour Party MSP, remained in office as First Minister for a second term and the Executive continued as a Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition. As of 2025, it remains the last Scottish Parliament election victory for the Scottish Labour Party, and the last time the Scottish National Party lost a Holyrood election.

Retiring MSPs

At the dissolution of Parliament on 31 March 2003, ten MSPs were not seeking re-election. ==Campaign==

Campaign

The parliament was dissolved on 31 March 2003 and the campaign began thereafter. ==Party leaders in 2003==

Party leaders in 2003

• Labour – Jack McConnell • SNP – John Swinney • Conservative – David McLetchie • Liberal Democrat – Jim Wallace • Greens – Robin Harper & Eleanor Scott (co-chairs) • SSP – Tommy Sheridan Defeated MSPs Labour • Brian Fitzpatrick, Strathkelvin and Bearsden • Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands • Iain Gray, Edinburgh Pentlands • Angus MacKay, Edinburgh South • Richard Simpson, Ochil • Elaine Thomson, Aberdeen North SNP • Kenneth Gibson, Glasgow • Irene McGugan, North East Scotland • Fiona McLeod, West of Scotland • Gil Paterson, Central Scotland • Lloyd Quinan, West of Scotland • Michael Russell, South of Scotland • Andrew Wilson, Central Scotland The New Party • Keith Harding, Mid Scotland and Fife (elected as a Conservative) • Lyndsay McIntosh, Central Scotland (elected as a Conservative) ==Results==

Results

Notes: • The Scottish Greens did not stand in any constituencies, instead concentrating their resources on winning the largest possible share of the "second" vote for 'list' seats. == Constituency and regional summary ==

Constituency and regional summary

Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothians Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South of Scotland West of Scotland ==Coalition==

Coalition

As part of the coalition deal between Labour and the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Labour allowed proportional representation (a long-standing Lib Dem policy) to be used in Scottish local government elections. This system was first used in 2007. == Campaign spending ==

Party manifestos

• British National Party – Freedom • Pro-Life Alliance • Scottish Liberal Democrats – Make the difference • Scottish National Party – Release our potential • Scottish Socialist Party – another Scotland is possible ==External links==

Source: Wikipedia ↗

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