Kristopher Leask
Kristopher Leask | |
|---|---|
| Member of Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2026 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Scottish Greens |
| University of St Andrews Heriot-Watt University | |
Kristopher Leask is a Scottish politician who has served as a Member of Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands since May 2026.[1] He is a member of the Scottish Greens.
Early life and education
Leask attended Glaitness Primary School and Kirkwall Grammar School before studying International Relations at the University of St Andrews from 2017 to 2021. He completed an MSc in Renewable Energy Development at Heriot-Watt University's Stromness campus from 2021 to 2022.[2]
Early political activity
While a student, Leask co-authored Being Heard: Helping To Create The Next Generation of Civic Leaders in Scotland, a 2018 report with Orkney Islands councillor John Ross Scott on young people's engagement with decision-makers in Scotland's 32 councils.[3] In 2020, Leask and Scott published Being Heard: One Year On, a follow-up report on young people's participation in local government decision-making.[4]
Orkney Islands Council
He was elected as the Scottish Green councillor for Kirkwall West and Orphir ward in the 2022.[5]
Following the election, Leask and Scott were the only party-affiliated councillors on Orkney Islands Council. Leask served as vice-chair of the council's planning committee, local review body, licensing committee and licensing board, and worked on issues including net zero, decarbonisation, development planning, low-carbon travel and tourism.[6]
According to his council register of interests, Leask worked part-time as a parliamentary campaigns assistant for Ariane Burgess from October 2021 to April 2023, and part-time as policy manager for Community Energy Scotland from April 2023 to June 2024.[7]
Scottish Parliament
In 2025, Leask was among 32 Scottish Green candidates endorsed for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election by Rainbow Greens, the party's LGBTQIA+ group.[8]
Leask was elected as a regional member for the Highlands and Islands at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election[9]
References
- ^ McLaren, Paul; Lyst, Catherine (8 May 2026). "Scottish election results 2026 live: SNP forecast to win 58 seats but second place party too close to call". BBC News.
- ^ "Kristopher Leask". Orkney Islands Council. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "OIC councillor helping to create 'next generation of civic leaders'". The Orcadian. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ Grahame, Fiona (24 June 2020). "Young Orcadians Not 'Being Heard'". The Orkney News. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "Kristopher Leask for Highlands and Islands in the Scottish Parliament elections (Regions)". whocanivotefor.co.uk.
- ^ Stewart, Andrew (22 July 2022). "The place of the Green Party in Orkney – one term into the new council". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "Register of Interests: Councillor Kristopher Leask" (PDF). Orkney Islands Council. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "Kristopher Leask for Highlands & Islands". Facebook. Rainbow Greens. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ^ McLaren, Paul; Lyst, Catherine (8 May 2026). "Scottish election results 2026 live: SNP forecast to win 58 seats but second place party too close to call". BBC News..