JK Rowling’s favourite campaign group has become one of the UK’s leading voices in the fight for women’s rights, and they’ve analysed the field ahead of voters going to the polls on May 7
14:49, 04 May 2026Updated 14:57, 04 May 2026
FWS hope Meghan Gallacher will be elected to return to Holyrood(Image: Getty Images)
The campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) has examined all the constituency and regional list candidates standing for election on Thursday.
Founded by directors Trina Budge, Marion Calder, and Susan Smith, along with Magdalen Burns, the group famously defeated the Scottish Government at the UK Supreme Court in a landmark case on women’s rights. Backed by JK Rowling, FWS is now in court again fighting for single sex prisons.
The FWS analysis isn’t a voting guide and the activists don’t tell Scots who they think they should vote for. But there ARE some clear heroes and villains in each region, as we set out below.
One of those who has won the backing is Scottish Conservative candidate Meghan Gallagher, who said: “Thank you @ForWomenScot! It was a pleasure to work with you over the last 5 years. I will always stand up for the rights of women and girls across Scotland.”
Central Scotland and Lothians West
FWS verdict: Central Scotland is solidly SNP in the constituencies, although Labour had a resurgence in the General Election, it’s not been sustained. The list will be where the main shake ups happen here.
FWS heroes
- Meghan Gallagher. The former Scots Tory deputy leader is standing in Uddingston and Bellshill, and FWS says she “was a great support in the last session”. The group adds: “It would be a shame if Meghan Gallacher is not returned to Holyrood.”
- Jenny Young. With Labour forecast to win two-three regional list east, FWS says “Jenny Young worked for Michael Marra, so we hope that is a good sign!” The party frontbencher was given special dispensation to skip the vote on the GRR Bill, in which Labour MSPs were whipped to vote in favour. He said: “I could not vote for the final bill.”
FWS so-sos
Justice Secretary Angela Constance(Image: Getty Images)
- Steven Bonnar. The former SNP MP is the red-hot favourite to win Uddingston and Bellshill and FWS acknowledges that “Bonnar is one of the few SNP politicians to have expressed doubts about Gender Recognition Reform”.
- Angela Constance. FWS say they were “cheered by her robust speech when laying the SSI to add sex to Hate Crime, especially her response to Maggie Chapman’s complaints about ‘trans exclusionary language’. She has also held back on signing the Out for Indy LGBTQIA+ pledge.”
FWS villains
SNP candidate Fulton MacGregor(Image: Garry F McHarg/Daily Record)
- Fulton MacGregor. One of the members of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee which “scrutinised” the doomed Gender Recognition Reform Bill. He’s standing in Coatbridge and Chryston.
Edinburgh and Lothians East
FWS verdict: In recent times, the old Lothian region has been largely painted yellow with a splash of gold in Edinburgh West & red in Edinburgh South. This election, the polling is a bit tighter with Labour seeking to regain East Lothian, NE Edinburgh & Central Edinburgh. The Greens & LDs might also throw a curveball in a couple of seats. If you are thinking of voting tactically, there are opportunities.
FWS heroes
Ash Regan(Image: PA)
- Marie-Clair Munro of the Conservatives has been a “prominent voice for women in Edinburgh council”. Still, FWS acknowledge Scottish Labour is the tactical vote in Edinburgh Southern.
- Sue Webber of the Scottish Tories is standing in Edinburgh South Western and is number 2 on the regional list. She’s been a leading voice in the Parliament on women’s rights and FWS says: “We would like to see Sue re-elected”.
- Ash Regan and Jeremy Balfour: Both are standing as independents on the regional list. FWS says: “Ash and Jeremy are two of the MSPs who moved us the most in the Gender Recognition Reform debate. They both deserve to be re-elected and we would be delighted to see them back in Holyrood.”
FWS villains
Former Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater (left) will stand against SNP Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson in Edinburgh Central
- Angus Robertson and Lorna Slater: Edinburgh Central promises to be a fascinating contest and FWS says: “Neither Robertson nor Slater have been receptive to women’s concerns and both have been heavily criticised for failure to engage with or respond to constituents. Labour are best placed to deny them the seat.”
- Paul McLennan: Another SNP MSP who sat on the LGBTI+ Cross Party Group in Parliament which pushed for Gender Recognition Reform. He introduced a motion last November with the assistance of Scottish Trans to mark Trans Day of Remembrance.
Glasgow
FWS verdict: The 2024 general election saw Labour push back in the old Glasgow heartland, but the disillusionment with UK Labour may contribute to keeping the area solidly SNP. Across the region, Reform has overtaken the Conservatives and they are also more likely to syphon votes from Labour than the SNP.
FWS heroes
Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill(Image: Getty Images)
- Pauline McNeill: The Labour candidate in Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston has been a “strong supporter of women’s rights”.
- Rashid Hussein: The Labour candidte in Glasgow Southside said: “As a father of daughters, unlike the SNP and Green candidates I am also unequivocal in supporting women’s rights to single sex spaces.” FWS says: “Sounds good to us!”
FWS villains
Ex-SNP MP Kirsten Oswald (left) with Kaukab Stewart in front of the infamous ‘Decapitate Terfs’ sign
- Kaukab Stewart: After being “gifted Sturgeon’s old patch”, the SNP candidate described Hussein as a “misogynist” and demanded an apology for his comments above!
Highlands and Islands
FWS verdict: The headline story of Highlands and Islands is a battle between the Liberal Democrats and the SNP. However, the contest in Inverness and Nairn where Fergus Ewing may thwart his erstwhile party will be worth watching!
FWS heroes
Fergus Ewing wants to return to Holyrood – but not as an SNP MSP(Image: Ken Jack/Corbis via Getty Images)
- Fergus Ewing: The former Nat grandee has held Inverness and Nairn since 1999. FWS describes Ewing as an “exemplary local MSP” and says: “The SNP has put Emma Roddick – one of the less impressive voices and a party loyalist – up against him.”
- Andrew Phillip Baxter: The Lib Dem is standing in Kate Forbes’ old seat of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. He is chief of staff for local MP Angus McDonald, who opposes the Lib Dem position on self-ID of sex.
Mid Scotland and Fife
FWS verdict: Mid Fife is a tale of two halves with a Labour/SNP split along the Fife coast and a strong Conservative presence in Perthshire. Not to forget the Liberal Democrats stronghold of North Fife.
FWS heroes
Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker submitted an amendment on the gender Bill
- Claire Baker: FWS says “We would love to see… one of the Labour MSPs who voted against Gender Recognition Reform take this seat but polling suggests that [SNP candidate David] Torrance will hold on” in Kirkcaldy.
- Murdo Fraser: In Perthshire North, the group declares: “Look, we can but dream that Murdo Fraser unseats the First Minister!”
FWS so-sos
- Jim Fairlie: One of the two SNP Gender Recognition Reform rebels who remain in the party to seek re-election. He has also not signed the Out for Indy trans pledge.
FWS villains
Alyn Smith being interviewed by LBC
- Alyn Smith: FWS says: “‘Daddy Bear’ Smith is hoping to win for the SNP in Evelyn Tweed’s old seat, two years after losing the Westminster constituency of Stirling and Strathallan to Labour.”
North East Scotland
FWS verdict: North East Scotland has, traditionally, been dominated by SNP and the Conservatives. In a region suffering from the decline of the oil industry, Reform are hoping to make an impact.
FWS so-sos
- Gillian Martin: One of three SNP MSPs (the others being Ash Regan and Ruth Maguire) whose shared concerns about Gender Recognition Reform were leaked by Alyn Smith’s (see above) then boyfriend, Jordon Henderson. FWS adds: “Since then, however, Martin has toed the party line.”
FWS villains
SNP loyalist Karen Adam(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
- Karen Adam: In Banffshire and Buchan Coast, FWS says: “We would love to see Karen Adam, the deeply partisan convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, unseated.”
- Maggie Chapman: After being accused of a coup, the outspoken trans ally is top of the regional list. FWS says: “We would be delighted if Maggie Chapman fails to make the cut this time!”
- Lloyd Melville: In December 2022, the SNP candidate in Angus tweeted: “Happy days. Bill passed. But we will always remember those members who strained every sinew not to improve the lives of trans people.”
- Fatima Joji: The SNP candidate in Aberdeenshire West was censured by the Standards Commission for Scotland for describing gender critical blogger Stuart Campbell as “toxic” and “scum”.
South Scotland
FWS verdict: South Scotland contains the “blue wall” along the border, in recent years, the Conservatives have enjoyed good results here and now Reform will be hoping to make gains.
FWS heroes
Carol Mochan hopes to be re-elected to the Scottish Parliament (Image: Submitted/Ayrshire Post /)
- Carol Mochan: Labour’s candidate in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley voted against the GRR and is a “thoughtful advocate for wider women’s rights with a special interest in women’s health”. The group adds: “Thankfully, her place on the list means that [she] should return”
- Rachael Hamilton: The Scots Tory deputy leader and Scottish Daily Express columnist is defending the party’s safest seat in Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire. FWS says: “Rachael’s been a great ally in the last session – we need her back!”
FWS villains
Emma Harper
- Siobhian Brown and Emma Harper: FWS says: “Harper was complicit in the plot to stitch up Joan McAlpine who previously held the list place. Neither Harper nor Brown would be missed.” The group adds that Brown, standing in Ayr, was “ill-equipped to fill the ministerial shoes of Ash Regan”.
West Scotland
FWS verdict: West Scotland will be one of the battlegrounds for Labour and the SNP. The other big story will be if the Conservative list vote collapses as some pundits indicate.
FWS heroes
Scottish Conservative candidate Pam Gosal
- Pam Gosal: FWS says the Scots Tory candidate was “one of the biggest voices on women’s rights in the last Parliament and we’d love her to cause an upset!” in Strathkelvin and Bearsden. However, with Tory list seats at a premium the group adds: “We fear that we will also lose Pam who was a voice for women in the last session.”
- Kenny Gibson: “One of the most independently minded MSPs”, according to FWS, is likely to be re-elected in Cunninghame North. “He rebelled on Gender Recognition Reform and on the ‘Unbuyable’ Prostitution Bill. He should hold comfortably and we would be very happy to see him back.”
- Patricia Gibson: The group also admires this former SNP MP, standing in Cunninghame South, saying: “Kenny’s wife, former MP Patricia, was also opposed to Gender Recognition Reform.”
For more news, follow us on Facebook and X but never miss the latest top headlines and sign up to our daily newsletter here.