Politics in Edinburgh

As capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is home to the Scottish Parliament, as well as frequently hosting a number of international events, such as Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Council of Europe.

On a national level, the city of Edinburgh is represented at both Holyrood and Westminster.

At the Scottish Parliament, it returns six MSPs from the constituencies of Edinburgh North and Leith, Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh South and Edinburgh West. It dominates the Lothians parliamentary area, which returns a further seven MSPs.

In the House of Commons, it is represented by the five constituencies of Edinburgh South, Edinburgh West, Edinburgh South West, Edinburgh North and Leith, and Edinburgh East. The seat of Edinburgh Central ceased to exist with redistricting prior to the UK general election, 2005. The seat of Edinburgh Pentlands largely became Edinburgh South West. Edinburgh Central was divided up between the remaining seats, although none of it went to Edinburgh South.