As his term as an MSP comes to a close, Foysol Choudhury, MBE, reflects on five years of representing the people of the Lothians, and highlights his key achievements and defining issues during the time he spent at Holyrood.
Since being elected in 2021, Choudhury says he has worked to address the most pressing concerns facing constituents, including NHS waiting times and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He has concluded thousands of constituency cases, the majority of which relate to health, housing, and civil law and rights. Many of these cases involve highly complex issues that Mr. Choudhury has supported his constituents with over several years.
Healthcare has remained a central focus of his work. He said: “I consistently advocated for improved access to GP services, reduced waiting times, and increased funding for diabetes treatment and brain tumour research. My work in this area contributed to progress in diabetes care and earned recognition through a Holyrood Awards nomination.
“In 2025, I led the Parliament’s first Members’ Business debate on access to medical devices, placing patient experience at the forefront of policy discussions and pushing for improved access to essential treatments.
“Beyond healthcare, I supported communities on a wide range of local issues. I campaigned against unsafe housing conditions such as damp and mould, helped residents in Westfield Court pause demolition plans, and worked with communities in Eyre Place Lane to challenge over-scaled developments.”
West Edinburgh
He explained that his work also covered infrastructure and local services, where he applied sustained pressure to progress projects such as the Winchburgh train station, supported South Queensferry residents seeking improved access to new housing via Ferrymuir Gait Road, and advocated for the revitalisation of Drylaw Shopping Centre.
He also worked to get faster progress on a new East Calder Health Centre and challenged cuts to health, social care, and community funding, warning of their impact on vulnerable communities.
Mr Choudhury said: “As the first Bangladeshi Member of the Scottish Parliament, I worked to bring issues of racism and inequality into parliamentary debate. I called for stronger action to tackle racism, greater clarity on resources for schools, and supported efforts to promote a more inclusive curriculum reflecting Scotland’s diversity.
“I also played a key role in advancing a petition on swimming provision, backed my constituent’s campaign and called for a consistent national approach to ensure all children can swim by the end of primary school, emphasising it as a vital, life-saving skill.
“It has been a true privilege to represent the people of the Lothians. I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me, shared their stories, and allowed me to champion their causes. This work would not have been possible without the dedication, care, and tireless efforts of so many: my team, colleagues, organisations, and communities driving change. My sincere thanks to you all.“
