Non-binary Indian elected to Scottish Parliament

Q Manivannan, a non-binary transgender Indian from Tamil Nadu, was elected on 8 May 2026 as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh & Lothians East. Manivannan contested the seat for the Scottish Greens and became one of the first two transgender MSPs elected to Holyrood.

Scottish Parliament and Holyrood

The Scottish Parliament is the devolved legislature of Scotland and sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh. Members of the Scottish Parliament are known as MSPs, and the Parliament was established in 1999 after the Scotland Act 1998.

Eligibility of non-UK citizens

Manivannan became the first person elected to Holyrood without a permanent visa to live in the United Kingdom. New legislation introduced by the SNP government in 2025 allows non-UK citizens with any type of leave, including short-term study visas, to stand for Parliament.

Education and migration background

Manivannan arrived in Scotland in September 2021 to study at the University of St Andrews. Before that, they studied at OP Jindal Global University in Delhi, and they use they/them pronouns.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Scottish Parliament is a unicameral legislature with 129 MSPs.
• Holyrood is the common name for the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh.
• The Scottish Greens are a political party in Scotland that supports environmental and social policies.
• Student visas are a form of limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Public debate and related issues

Manivannan has identified as a queer Tamil immigrant from a lower-caste background. Manivannan has also stated support for Palestine and has linked their political position to working-class and marginalised communities.