Alison Johnstone

Alison Johnstone (born 11 October 1965) is a Scottish politician who served as the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament from May 2021 until May 2026. Johnstone was Elected as a member of the Scottish Greens, she relinquished her party affiliation on becoming Presiding Officer. She served as Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Lothian region from 2011 to 2026.

Johnstone was born and raised in Edinburgh, where she attended St. Augustine's High School. She worked as an assistant to Robin Harper, the first ever elected Green Party parliamentarian in the UK. In 2007, Johnstone was nominated unopposed as co-convenor of the Scottish Greens, serving alongside Harper. The same year she was elected to the City of Edinburgh Council, representing the Meadows/Morningside ward until 2012. In the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, she was elected as an additional member of the Lothian region. Following the 2019 Scottish Green co-leadership election, Johnstone served as the co-leader within the Scottish Parliament, until the 2021 election.

Following the election to the 6th Scottish Parliament in 2021, Johnstone was the only candidate to run for Presiding Officer. She received 97 votes in favour and was elected unopposed. Johnstone is the second female member and first Green Party member to hold the position.