# Edinburgh West (UK Parliament constituency)

Edinburgh West is a burgh constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, first contested at the 1885 general election. It has been represented since 2017 by Christine Jardine of the Liberal Democrats.
Prior to the 2005 general election, the boundaries were the same as the eponymous constituency of the Scottish Parliament, which had been created in 1999.

## History

This commuter belt seat, distinctively in the city, was Unionist/Conservative for over 65 years, from the 1931 general election until the 1997 general election, although the Liberal/SDP Alliance and later the Liberal Democrats repeatedly came close to winning in the 1980s and early 1990s. By the time of the 2024 general election, the Conservatives had dropped to fourth place with just 5.5% of the vote.
After 1997, the seat was held by the Liberal Democrats until the 2015 general election. The Member of Parliament (MP) between the 2015 and 2017 general elections was Michelle Thomson, who was elected for the Scottish National Party (SNP) in May 2015. In September 2015, she resigned the party whip and sat as an Independent. Thomson chose not to seek reelection either for the SNP or as an Independent candidate. At the 2017 general election, Christine Jardine of the Liberal Democrats gained the seat with a majority of 2,988 votes. Jardine held the seat in 2019 with a slightly increased margin, and again in 2024, when her majority increased to 16,470 votes (31.4%).
Up to 2024, the seat had been relative to others a marginal seat since 2005, as the winner's majority had not exceeded 8.2% of the vote since the 30% majority won in that year. The seat has changed hands twice electorally since that year and once through resigning the party whip.

## Constituency profile

This is an affluent, left-leaning and pro-European seat covering the northwestern portion of Edinburgh. It is mostly suburban, but takes in rural areas within the council area including Kirkliston and South Queensferry. Edinburgh Airport and Murrayfield Stadium are within the seat.

## Boundaries

The seat was created when the Edinburgh constituency was abolished, in 1885, replaced by four seats: Edinburgh East, Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh South and Edinburgh West. The Central constituency was abolished in 2005. The East constituency was replaced by Edinburgh East and Musselburgh from 1997 to 2005 and again from 2024. The South and West constituencies have been in continuous use (with alterations to boundaries) since 1885.
1885–1918: The St. Andrew, St. Stephen, St. Bernard and St. Luke wards of the municipal burgh of Edinburgh.
1918–1950: The Dalry, Gorgie, Haymarket and St. Bernard's wards of the county of the city of Edinburgh.
1950–1955: The Corstorphine, Murrayfield-Cramond, St. Bernard's and Pilton wards of the county of the city of Edinburgh.
1955–1974: The Corstorphine (with the exception of the area added by the Edinburgh Corporation Order Confirmation Act 1954), Murrayfield-Cramond, and Pilton wards of the county of the city of Edinburgh, and part of the St. Bernard's ward.
1974–1983: The Corstorphine and Murrayfield-Cramond wards of the county of the city of Edinburgh, and that part of Pilton ward which is not included in the Edinburgh Leith constituency.
1983–1997: Electoral divisions 11 (Cramond/Parkgrove), 15 (Corstorphine North), 16 (Telford/Blackhall), 19 (Corstorphine South) and 26 (Moat/Stenhouse) in the City of Edinburgh.
1997–2005: Electoral divisions 11 (Queensferry/Kirkliston), 12 (Cramond/Blackhall), 13 (Drylaw/Muirhouse), 16 (Corstorphine North), and 21 (Corstorphine South) in the City of Edinburgh.
2005–2024: Under the Fifth Review of UK Parliament constituencies, the constituency boundaries were defined in accordance with the ward structure in place on 30 November 2004 and contained the City of Edinburgh wards of Cramond, Dalmeny and Kirkliston, Davidson's Mains, East Craigs, Gyle, Muirhouse and Drylaw, Murrayfield, North East Corstorphine, Queensferry, South East Corstorphine and Stenhouse.
Before the 2005 general election, the seat was one of six covering the City of Edinburgh council area. Five were entirely within the city council area. One, Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, straddled the boundary with the East Lothian council area to take in Musselburgh. Constituency boundaries were revised for the 2005 election: Edinburgh West was enlarged, to include an area formerly within Edinburgh Central, and became one of five seats covering the city area.
Further to the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, the ward structure in the City of Edinburgh was changed. Consequently, from 2007, none of the new Edinburgh wards were wholly within the constituency. After further minor changes in 2017, the constituency contained the whole of the Almond ward, and Drum Brae/Gyle and Corstorphine/Murrayfield were almost entirely within it, together with a minority of Inverleith and small sections of Pentland Hills, City Centre and Sighthill/Gorgie.
2024–present: Further to the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the boundary with the neighbouring constituency of Edinburgh North and Leith was revised. The remainder of the Corstorphine/Murrayfield ward was transferred from Edinburgh North and Leith, along with a further part of the Inverleith ward. To partly compensate, the eastern-most part of the Almond ward was moved in the opposite direction. The constituency now covers the following wards or part wards of the City of Edinburgh:
* The bulk of Almond ward - except the Muirhouse area;
* a small part of Pentland Hills ward, comprising Ratho and surrounding rural areas;
* the bulk of Drum Brae/Gyle ward;
* western areas of Inverleith ward, comprising about half its electorate;
* the whole of Corstorphine/Murrayfield ward;
* a small part of Sighthill/Gorgie ward; and
* the western-most part of City Centre ward, comprising the West Coates area.

## Members of Parliament

| Year | Member | Party |
| 1885 | Thomas Buchanan | Liberal |
| 1886 | Thomas Buchanan | Liberal Unionist |
| 1888 by-election | Thomas Buchanan | Liberal |
| 1892 | Viscount Wolmer | Liberal Unionist |
| 1895 by-election | Lewis McIver | Liberal Unionist |
| 1909 by-election | James Avon Clyde | Liberal Unionist |
| 1912 | James Avon Clyde | Unionist |
| 1918 | John Gordon Jameson | Coalition Conservative |
| 1922 | Vivian Phillipps | Liberal |
| 1924 | Ian MacIntyre | Unionist |
| 1929 | George Mathers | Labour |
| 1931 | Wilfrid Guild Normand | Unionist |
| 1935 by-election | Thomas Mackay Cooper | Unionist |
| 1941 by-election | Ian Clark Hutchison | Unionist |
| 1959 | Anthony Stodart | Unionist |
| 1965 | Anthony Stodart | Conservative |
| Oct 1974 | Lord James Douglas-Hamilton | Conservative |
| 1997 | Donald Gorrie | Liberal Democrat |
| 2001 | John Barrett | Liberal Democrat |
| 2010 | Mike Crockart | Liberal Democrat |
| 2015 | Michelle Thomson | SNP |
| 2015 | Michelle Thomson | Independent |
| 2017 | Christine Jardine | Liberal Democrat |

## Election results
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Jardine | 26,645 | 50.8 | +12.6 |
| | SNP | Euan Hyslop | 10,175 | 19.4 | −13.6 |
| | Labour | Michael Davidson | 7,854 | 15.0 | +6.3 |
| | Conservative | Alastair Shields | 2,897 | 5.5 | −12.5 |
| | Reform UK | Otto Inglis | 2,209 | 4.2 | +4.1 |
| | Scottish Green | James Puchowski | 2,100 | 4.0 | +2.0 |
| | Independent | David Henry | 363 | 0.7 | N/A |
| | Independent | Nick Hornig | 143 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | Scottish Libertarian | Tam Laird | 85 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,470 | 31.4 | +24.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,471 | 68.6 | −3.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 76,490 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +13.1 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Jardine | 21,766 | 39.9 | +5.6 |
| | SNP | Sarah Masson | 17,997 | 33.0 | +4.4 |
| | Conservative | Graham Hutchison | 9,283 | 17.0 | −4.9 |
| | Labour | Craig Bolton | 4,460 | 8.2 | −6.7 |
| | Scottish Green | Elaine Gunn | 1,027 | 1.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,769 | 6.9 | +1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,533 | 75.2 | +1.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 72,507 | | +1.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +0.6 | |
General election 2017: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Jardine | 18,108 | 34.3 | +1.2 |
| | SNP | Toni Giugliano | 15,120 | 28.6 | −10.4 |
| | Conservative | Sandy Batho | 11,559 | 21.9 | +9.6 |
| | Labour | Mandy Telford | 7,876 | 14.9 | +3.2 |
| | Scotland's Independence Referendum Party | Mark Whittet | 132 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,988 | 5.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,795 | 73.8 | −2.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | c.71,500 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from SNP | Liberal Democrats gain from SNP | Swing | +5.8 | |
General election 2015: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | SNP | Michelle Thomson | 21,378 | 39.0 | +25.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Crockart | 18,168 | 33.1 | −2.8 |
| | Conservative | Lindsay Paterson | 6,732 | 12.3 | −10.9 |
| | Labour | Cameron Day | 6,425 | 11.7 | −16.0 |
| | Scottish Green | Pat Black | 1,140 | 2.1 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Otto Inglis | 1,015 | 1.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,210 | 5.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,858 | 76.5 | +5.2 |
| | SNP gain from Liberal Democrats | SNP gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +14.3 | |
General election 2010: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Crockart | 16,684 | 35.9 | −13.6 |
| | Labour | Cameron Day | 12,881 | 27.7 | +9.1 |
| | Conservative | Stewart Geddes | 10,767 | 23.2 | +3.7 |
| | SNP | Sheena M. Cleland | 6,115 | 13.2 | +4.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,803 | 8.2 | −21.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,447 | 71.3 | +2.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | −11.4 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Barrett | 22,417 | 49.5 | +11.2 |
| | Conservative | David A. Brogan | 8,817 | 19.5 | −2.2 |
| | Labour | Navraj Singh Ghaleigh | 8,433 | 18.6 | −7.9 |
| | SNP | Sheena M. Cleland | 4,124 | 9.1 | −1.6 |
| | Scottish Green | Ailsa Spindler | 964 | 2.1 | N/A |
| | Scottish Socialist | Gary P. Clark | 510 | 1.1 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,600 | 30.0 | +10.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,265 | 68.9 | +5.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +6.7 | |
General election 2001: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Barrett | 16,719 | 42.4 | −0.8 |
| | Labour | Elspeth Alexandra | 9,130 | 23.1 | +4.3 |
| | Conservative | Iain Whyte | 8,894 | 22.5 | −5.5 |
| | SNP | Alyn Smith | 4,047 | 10.3 | +1.5 |
| | Scottish Socialist | Bill Scott | 688 | 1.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,589 | 19.3 | +4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,478 | 63.2 | −14.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +2.6 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Donald Gorrie | 20,578 | 43.2 | +13.3 |
| | Conservative | James Douglas-Hamilton | 13,325 | 28.0 | −10.2 |
| | Labour | Lesley Hinds | 8,948 | 18.8 | +1.4 |
| | SNP | Graham D. Sutherland | 4,210 | 8.8 | −3.7 |
| | Referendum | Stephen C. Elphick | 277 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Paul N. Coombes | 263 | 0.5 | −0.1 |
| | Independent | Antony C.O. Jack | 30 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,253 | 15.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,631 | 77.9 | −2.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +11.8 | |
General election 1992: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Douglas-Hamilton | 18,071 | 37.0 | −0.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Donald Gorrie | 17,192 | 35.2 | +0.3 |
| | Labour | Irene A. Kitson | 8,759 | 18.0 | −4.2 |
| | SNP | Graham D. Sutherland | 4,117 | 8.4 | +2.8 |
| | Liberal | Alan R. Fleming | 272 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Scottish Green | Linda Hendry | 234 | 0.5 | N/A |
| | BNP | David J. Bruce | 133 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 879 | 1.8 | −0.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,778 | 82.6 | +3.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.4 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Douglas-Hamilton | 18,450 | 37.4 | −0.8 |
| | Liberal | Derek G. King | 17,216 | 34.9 | −2.2 |
| | Labour | Michael McGregor | 10,957 | 22.2 | +2.1 |
| | SNP | Norman Irons | 2,774 | 5.6 | +1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,234 | 2.5 | +1.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,397 | 79.4 | +3.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.7 | |
General election 1983: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Douglas-Hamilton | 17,646 | 38.2 | −5.4 |
| | Liberal | Derek G. King | 17,148 | 37.1 | +17.6 |
| | Labour | Alec Wood | 9,313 | 20.1 | −9.2 |
| | SNP | John Nicoll | 2,126 | 4.6 | −2.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 498 | 1.1 | −16.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,233 | 75.7 | −2.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Douglas-Hamilton | 19,360 | 45.44 | +7.29 |
| | Labour | Michael C.B. McGregor | 12,009 | 28.19 | +2.97 |
| | Liberal | R Callendar | 7,330 | 17.21 | +0.80 |
| | SNP | Colin Bell | 3,904 | 9.16 | −11.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,351 | 17.25 | +4.32 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,603 | 77.80 | +1.24 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Douglas-Hamilton | 15,354 | 38.15 | −6.06 |
| | Labour | WJ Taylor | 10,152 | 25.22 | +0.83 |
| | SNP | Catherina McMillan Moore | 8,135 | 20.21 | +10.29 |
| | Liberal | Donald Gorrie | 6,606 | 16.41 | −5.08 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,202 | 12.93 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,247 | 76.56 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anthony Stodart | 18,908 | 44.21 | −7.7 |
| | Labour | WJ Taylor | 10,431 | 24.39 | −8.8 |
| | Liberal | Donald Gorrie | 9,189 | 21.49 | +13.4 |
| | SNP | Catherina McMillan Moore | 4,241 | 9.92 | +3.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,477 | 19.82 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,769 | 82.18 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1970: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anthony Stodart | 26,864 | 49.23 | +0.94 |
| | Labour | George Foulkes | 19,523 | 35.78 | −2.18 |
| | Liberal | Donald Gorrie | 4,467 | 8.19 | −4.56 |
| | SNP | Muriel Gibson | 3,711 | 6.80 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,341 | 13.45 | +4.12 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,565 | 74.95 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anthony Stodart | 24,882 | 48.29 | −2.27 |
| | Labour Co-op | Dick Douglas | 20,073 | 38.96 | +3.66 |
| | Liberal | James R Telfer | 6,571 | 12.75 | −1.39 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,809 | 9.33 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,526 | 78.66 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1964: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Anthony Stodart | 26,298 | 50.56 | −5.93 |
| | Labour | James K Stocks | 18,359 | 35.30 | +4.76 |
| | Liberal | James R Telfer | 7,352 | 14.14 | +1.17 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,939 | 15.26 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,009 | 80.91 | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Anthony Stodart | 25,976 | 56.49 | −10.55 |
| | Labour | James K Stocks | 14,044 | 30.54 | −2.42 |
| | Liberal | Donald Leach | 5,962 | 12.97 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,932 | 25.95 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,982 | 80.26 | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
General election 1955: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ian Clark Hutchison | 26,000 | 67.04 | +1.1 |
| | Labour | James Alexander Cuthburt Thomson | 12,784 | 32.96 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,216 | 34.0 | +2.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,784 | 75.7 | −5.4 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Unionist | Ian Clark Hutchison | 30,232 | 65.95 |
| | Labour | Harry S Wilson | 15,607 | 34.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,625 | 31.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,839 | 83.12 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | |
General election 1950: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Unionist | Ian Clark Hutchison | 26,978 | 60.03 |
| | Labour Co-op | C Morgan | 14,377 | 31.99 |
| | Liberal | Margaret Walker | 3,586 | 7.98 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,601 | 28.04 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,941 | 82.79 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ian Clark Hutchison | 19,894 | 47.38 | −19.6 |
| | Labour | Gordon Stott | 18,840 | 44.87 | +11.9 |
| | Liberal | John Gibson Thomson | 3,256 | 7.75 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,054 | 2.51 | −31.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,990 | 67.68 | −1.4 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
By-election 1941: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ian Clark Hutchison | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold |

### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Unionist | Thomas Cooper | 28,023 | 67.01 |
| | Labour | John Welch | 13,794 | 32.99 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,229 | 34.02 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,817 | 69.10 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | |
1935 Edinburgh West by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Thomas Cooper | 16,373 | 53.0 | −18.2 |
| | Labour | William McAdam | 10,462 | 33.9 | +5.1 |
| | Liberal | George Paish | 4,059 | 13.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,911 | 19.1 | −23.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,894 | 51.2 | −28.0 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
General election 1931: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Wilfrid Normand | 31,407 | 71.20 | +39.5 |
| | Labour | George Mathers | 12,704 | 28.80 | −10.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,703 | 42.40 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,111 | 79.18 | +4.4 |
| | Unionist gain from Labour | Unionist gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Mathers | 15,795 | 38.6 | +5.5 |
| | Unionist | Wilfrid Normand | 12,966 | 31.7 | −4.9 |
| | Liberal | Vivian Phillipps | 12,126 | 29.7 | −0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,829 | 6.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,887 | 74.8 | −4.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 54,695 | | |
| | Labour gain from Unionist | Labour gain from Unionist | Swing | +5.2 | |
General election 1924: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ian Macintyre | 10,628 | 36.6 | +3.6 |
| | Labour | George Mathers | 9,603 | 33.1 | +7.4 |
| | Liberal | Vivian Phillipps | 8,790 | 30.3 | −11.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,025 | 3.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 29,021 | 79.3 | +4.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 36,618 | | |
| | Unionist gain from Liberal | Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | −1.9 | |
General election 1923: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Vivian Phillipps | 11,010 | 41.3 | −10.1 |
| | Unionist | Ian Macintyre | 8,778 | 33.0 | −15.6 |
| | Labour | George Mathers | 6,836 | 25.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,232 | 8.3 | +5.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 26,624 | 74.4 | +5.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 35,809 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +2.8 | |
General election 1922: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Vivian Phillipps | 12,355 | 51.4 | +16.9 |
| | Unionist | John Gordon Jameson | 11,689 | 48.6 | −2.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 666 | 2.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 24,044 | 68.9 | +15.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 34,899 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Unionist | Liberal gain from Unionist | Swing | +9.6 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| C | Unionist | John Gordon Jameson | 9,172 | 50.8 | −3.0 |
| | Liberal | Edward Parrott | 6,220 | 34.5 | −11.7 |
| | Labour | John Alexander Young | 2,642 | 14.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,952 | 16.3 | +8.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,034 | 53.3 | −37.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 33,835 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | +4.4 | |
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. ||||||
General election December 1910: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | James Avon Clyde | 4,952 | 53.8 | +1.3 |
| | Liberal | J.H. Morgan | 4,252 | 46.2 | −1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 700 | 7.6 | +2.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,204 | 90.4 | −1.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,179 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | +1.3 | |
General election January 1910: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | James Avon Clyde | 4,683 | 52.5 | +0.5 |
| | Liberal | Charles Henry Lyell | 4,233 | 47.5 | −0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 450 | 5.0 | +1.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,916 | 91.4 | +6.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,758 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | +0.5 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

By-election, 1909: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | James Avon Clyde | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold |
General election 1906: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Lewis McIver | 3,949 | 52.0 | −9.2 |
| | Liberal | Leonard Courtney | 3,643 | 48.0 | +9.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 306 | 4.0 | −18.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,592 | 85.0 | +8.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,930 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | +9.2 | |
General election 1900: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Unionist | Lewis McIver | 4,180 | 61.2 |
| | Liberal | E. Adam | 2,645 | 38.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,535 | 22.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,825 | 76.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,926 | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1895: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Lewis McIver | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold |
By-Election, 1895: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Lewis McIver | 3,783 | 55.2 | +1.5 |
| | Liberal | Alexander Murray | 3,075 | 44.8 | −1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 708 | 10.4 | +3.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,858 | 81.1 | −3.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,452 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | +1.5 | |
General election 1892: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | William Palmer | 3,728 | 53.7 | −2.6 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Buchanan | 3,216 | 46.3 | +2.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 512 | 7.4 | −5.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,944 | 84.3 | +11.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,236 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | −2.6 | |

### Elections in the 1880s

1888 Edinburgh West by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Buchanan | 3,294 | 50.4 | +6.7 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Thomas Raleigh | 3,248 | 49.6 | −6.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 46 | 0.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,542 | 84.4 | +12.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,749 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +6.7 | |
* Caused by Buchanan's resignation to seek re-election as a Liberal candidate.
General election 1886: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Thomas Buchanan | 3,083 | 56.3 | +15.4 |
| | Liberal | Robert Wallace | 2,393 | 43.7 | −15.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 690 | 12.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,476 | 72.4 | −12.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,565 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +15.4 | |
General election 1885: Edinburgh West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Buchanan | 3,800 | 59.1 | |
| | Conservative | George Auldjo Jamieson | 2,625 | 40.9 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,175 | 18.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,425 | 84.9 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,565 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |