Simita Kumar (born September 1987) is a Fiji-born Scottish politician who was elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2026 election. She represents Edinburgh South Western as a member of the Scottish National Party. She became the Minister for Equalities and International Development in 2026.
Simita Kumar | |
|---|---|
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| Minister for Equalities and International Development | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2026 | |
| First Minister | John Swinney |
| Preceded by | Kaukab Stewart |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh South Western | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Majority | 3,289 (10.2%) |
| Member of City of Edinburgh Council | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2022 | |
| Constituency | Southside/Newington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 1987 (age 38) |
| Party | Scottish National Party |
Biography
editKumar was born in Fiji to a Indo-Fijian family. She immigrated to the UK when she was 17.[1] In 2022, Simita Kumar was elected to represent Southside/Newington on City of Edinburgh Council.[2] She led the SNP group on the council.[3] She was the first party group leader from an ethnic minority.[4][5] She stood in Edinburgh South in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[1] She came in second place behind Ian Murray from the Labour Party.[6]
Kumar was the Scottish National Party candidate for the Edinburgh South Western constituency in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, and 3rd on the party list in Edinburgh and Lothians East.[7] She was elected constituency MSP,[8] taking 36% of the vote. Catriona Munro took second place for the Labour Party with 26% of the vote.[9] She stood down as leader of Edinburgh council's SNP group and she was replaced by Lesley Macinnes.[10]
in May 2026, she was appointed to the Scottish government as Minister for Equalities and International Development by John Swinney.[11]
References
edit- 1 2 "Meet the rising star councillor now standing for Westminster". The National. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ Chalmers, Ross (1 May 2026). "SNP "rising star" proud of party's record in government". Deadline News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ Turvill, Donald (1 May 2024). "First person of colour elected to lead Edinburgh Council political group". Edinburgh Live. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ Inquirer, Edinburgh. "Rising SNP star makes history as first ethnic minority woman leader". www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ Turvill, Donald (1 May 2024). "First person of colour elected to lead Edinburgh Council political group". Edinburgh Live. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "Edinburgh South - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "3 councillors put their names forward to stand for Scottish Parliament". Edinburgh News. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ Stephen, Phyllis (8 May 2026). "Simita Kumar secures Edinburgh South Western for the SNP". Deadline News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ↑ "SNP 'rising star' quits as council group leader after being elected to Holyrood". The Herald. 14 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "SNP elect new group leader after councillor resigns to take Holyrood seat". The National. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ Stephen, Phyllis (20 May 2026). "Edinburgh councillor becomes junior minister in new cabinet". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 21 May 2026.