About
Miles was first elected to the Scottish Parliament as a Member for Lothian Region in May 2016. Since Miles’ election he has served as the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport and Chief Whip of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP group.
Educated at Auchtergaven Primary School and Perth Grammar School, Miles then attended Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen where he studied Management & Politics. Following graduation Miles worked for The Executive Council of the Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada before returning home to Scotland where he worked as a Political Adviser to MSPs Dr Nanette Milne and Liz Smith.
Outside of politics Miles is a keen hill walker, having completed 83 Munros to date, and is also interested in rugby, countryside issues, photography, Scottish history & music.
Miles – a local politician with a national reputation
Representing you and our community in the Scottish Parliament is a privilege for Miles. In the last year Miles has asked and tabled 505 motions and questions and spoken in over 150 debates. Miles has also helped or supported thousands of people and families with local and national issues.
Over the last ten years congestion on Edinburgh City Bypass has been slowly getting worse, with commuters being stuck on the bypass for hours and hours every week. Miles has campaigned for the development of Edinburgh City Bypass to be a priority in the Scottish Governments new national infrastructure investment plan. Miles has also called for moving forward the development of the Sheriffhall junction, as well as road changes to improve safety at the A702 Hillend junction.
The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded the whole of Scotland how invaluable our NHS staff are to us. For our National Health Service to be sustainable we must look after those who look after us. Miles has campaigned strongly for the full reopening of the 24/7 paediatric service at St. John’s hospital and the lifting of parking chargers at all hospitals in Scotland. The well documented problems in opening the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Little France have been unacceptable and Miles called for the public inquiry into what went wrong.
Local community organisations have been more important than ever this year for supporting each other through lockdown. These organisations rely heavily on fundraising, which has been severely impacted by lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions. Local community groups and organisations are integral to communities and Miles is fully supportive of their work. Reduced local government funding has forced many organisations to close their doors, and Miles will continue to campaign for these groups to be properly funded.
Young people need the training opportunities for a well-paid decent job throughout their working lives. The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown have meant that many businesses have had to close and jobs are under threat. Young people are considered at the highest risk of being unemployed and Miles is supportive of initiatives for businesses to receive a grant to take on a young apprentice, which provides job security and vital work experience.
The spaces that we live in play a big part in our day to day lives and having green spaces is important for exercise and mental health. Miles is involved in a number of campaigns to improve local areas, from the development of Edinburgh’s waterfront to improving safe cycle routes for families across Edinburgh and the Lothians. We are lucky to have access to highly valued parks and green spaces, which Miles has been involved in a number of campaigns to protect, such as Midmar Paddock and Moredunvale Green.
Miles also has a website. Go to https://www.milesbriggs.scot/ to see more of his recent work.
If you have an issue you would like to raise with Miles, you can get in touch with his office by phoning 0131 348 5944 or emailing miles.briggs.msp@parliament.scot. You can also find him on Twitter and Facebook.
