The SNP gained this seat from the Conservatives by the smallest of margins in 2021. She won 18,881 votes and 43.5 per cent of the vote to Tory John Scott’s 18,711. Mr Scott had held the Ayr seat since 2000. Ms Brown, who is now the government’s community safety minister, is standing for re-election in this seat. placeholder image
The SNP gained this seat from the Conservatives by the smallest of margins in 2021. She won 18,881 votes and 43.5 per cent of the vote to Tory John Scott’s 18,711. Mr Scott had held the Ayr seat since 2000. Ms Brown, who is now the government’s community safety minister, is standing for re-election in this seat. | Lisa Ferguson/National World

Scottish Parliament election 2026: The 10 MSPs with the smallest majorities - including Jackie Baillie

Rachel Amery
By Rachel Amery

Political Correspondent

Published 1st Jul 2025, 14:36 GMT

We take a look at which MSPs are sitting the smallest majorities as Scotland looks to the 2026 Holyrood election.

With less than a year to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, parties are already putting up a fight to win seats.

In 2021, the SNP became the largest party and formed government - but some of their MSPs only narrowly managed to secure a win.

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Others from Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems also came away with paper-thin majorities.

The Scotsman takes a look at which MSPs are clinging on to the tightest majorities and are going into an election year in a precarious position.

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader is one of only two in the party to hold a constituency seat at Holyrood. Jackie Baillie saw her vote share increase by 6.1 per cent to secure 46.3 per cent of the overall vote - but was only marginally ahead of the SNP. Ms Baillie, who has been the MSP for Dumbarton since devolution, will be standing for re-election in this seat. If she wins, she will be one of the only original MSPs from the 1999 parliament still in Holyrood.

5. 5. Dame Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton - 1,483

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader is one of only two in the party to hold a constituency seat at Holyrood. Jackie Baillie saw her vote share increase by 6.1 per cent to secure 46.3 per cent of the overall vote - but was only marginally ahead of the SNP. Ms Baillie, who has been the MSP for Dumbarton since devolution, will be standing for re-election in this seat. If she wins, she will be one of the only original MSPs from the 1999 parliament still in Holyrood. | Lisa Ferguson/National World Photo: LISA FERGUSON

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Audrey Nicoll managed to hold onto this seat for the SNP, despite the Scottish Conservatives seeing their vote share increase by 4.5 per cent. Ms Nicoll is standing down in 2026 and the party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn will be standing in the newly-created constituency of Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine instead. In the 2024 general election, Mr Flynn secured a majority of 3,758 in the Aberdeen South seat.

6. 6. Audrey Nicoll, Aberdeen South and North Kincardine - 1,671

Audrey Nicoll managed to hold onto this seat for the SNP, despite the Scottish Conservatives seeing their vote share increase by 4.5 per cent. Ms Nicoll is standing down in 2026 and the party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn will be standing in the newly-created constituency of Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine instead. In the 2024 general election, Mr Flynn secured a majority of 3,758 in the Aberdeen South seat. | Submitted Photo: submitted

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Energy Secretary Gillian Martin managed to hold onto this seat for the SNP despite the Scottish Conservatives increasing their vote share by 11 per cent. She has held this seat since 2016 and will be hoping to be re-elected in 2026.

7. 7. Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East - 1,889

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin managed to hold onto this seat for the SNP despite the Scottish Conservatives increasing their vote share by 11 per cent. She has held this seat since 2016 and will be hoping to be re-elected in 2026. | The Scotsman Photo: Scotsman

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Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie won 45.7 per cent of the vote share in this constituency, seeing off a respectable challenge from the Scottish Conservatives. Ever since this seat was created in 2011, it has been held by the nationalists - Mr Fairlie will be hoping to continue this winning streak in 2026.

8. 8. Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire - 1,948

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie won 45.7 per cent of the vote share in this constituency, seeing off a respectable challenge from the Scottish Conservatives. Ever since this seat was created in 2011, it has been held by the nationalists - Mr Fairlie will be hoping to continue this winning streak in 2026. | Jane Barlow/Press Association

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Related topics:SNPElectionMSPsHolyroodScottish ParliamentScottish Election 2026
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