Ross Thomson

Ross Thomson (born 21 September 1987) is a Scottish Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the North East Scotland region since the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.

Early life

Thomson was born in Aberdeen and educated locally at Bridge of Don Academy. He read Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a first class MA(Hons) degree in 2009.^[1] During his university career, Thomson was the Vice-Chairman of University of Aberdeen Conservative and Unionist Association.

Political career

He previously stood for the Scottish Parliament in the 2007 elections for the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency, coming third behind Labour MSP Elaine Smith and the Scottish National Party candidate.^[2]

In the United Kingdom general election, 2010, Thomson was selected as candidate for the Scottish constituency of Gordon representing the Scottish Conservative Party. He was the youngest candidate for the House of Commons from the Conservative Party.^[3]

He was elected to the Aberdeen City Council at the 2012 Aberdeen City Council election.^[4][5]

Thomson contested the Aberdeen Donside by-election in 2013, coming fourth. He subsequently stood in the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine constituency in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election and secured a 20% increase in the Conservative vote. Although the Scottish National Party's Maureen Watt held the seat,^[6] Thomson was elected through the Additional Member System as one of the seven representatives of the North East Scotland region.^[7]

Thomson is the Scottish Conservative spokesperson for further education, higher education and science.^[8] He sits on the Education and Skills Committee of the Scottish Parliament.^[9]

Personal life

Thomson is openly gay and entered into a civil union with his partner in November 2013.^[10]

References