# Edinburgh South (UK Parliament constituency)

Edinburgh South is a constituency of the House of Commons of the UK Parliament created in 1885. The constituency has been held by Scottish Labour since 1987. The seat has been represented since 2010 by Ian Murray, who currently serves as Secretary of State for Scotland under the government of Keir Starmer. Murray was the only Labour MP in Scotland to retain his seat at the 2015 and 2019 general elections and this is one of only three seats and the only Labour-held seat of the so-called "tartan wall" never held by the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Prior to the 2005 general election, the constituency had the same boundaries as the Scottish Parliament constituency with the same name (now replaced by Edinburgh Southern).

## Constituency profile

The constituency covers the southern suburbs around the Braid Hills including Morningside, Comiston, Liberton and Gilmerton. This is a generally wealthy seat with a significant student population.

## History
### Summary of results

A candidate fielded by the Labour Party has won the seat since 1987. Prior to that the political division for Westminster purposes voted for the Conservative and Unionist candidate, ahead of all other candidates by single preference, at each Westminster election from and including 1918. Back then, the electorates' single-most preferred candidate in simple voting was that of the Liberal Party, except in 1900 when a Liberal Unionist was returned. The 2015 result gave the seat the 23rd-smallest majority of Labour's 232 seats by percentage of majority. In the 2017 general election, Ian Murray received the highest voteshare of any Scottish candidate and was also one of only two constituencies in Scotland where the winning candidate received a majority of the votes cast (the other one being Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk).
Edinburgh South is one of three constituencies in Scotland to have never elected an MP from the Scottish National Party at any point in history, alongside Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale; and Orkney and Shetland.

### Recent opposition candidates' performance

At the 2015 general election three of the seven parties' candidates standing retained their deposits, their votes exceeding 5%. Those doing so and not winning were SNP – 33.8% of the vote, and Conservative – 17.5% of the vote. At this election, the SNP increased their share of the vote by over 26%, coming a close second to Murray.
The Liberal Democrat candidate of 2005 fell within 0.9% of a winning majority. The Liberal Democrats' swing nationally was −15.2% swing in 2015. The swing in this seat against the party was however −30.3% resulting in the loss of their deposit, a fate not sustained by either of the party's two formative parties in the seat since 1970.

### Turnout

Turnout has ranged between 81.1% in 1950 and 57.7% in 2001.

### 2016 EU referendum

In the 2016 referendum of membership of the European Union, the constituency voted Remain by 77.8%. This was the tenth highest support for Remain for a constituency.

## Boundaries

1885–1918: The St. George, St. Cuthbert, and Newington municipal wards of the burgh of Edinburgh.
1918–1950: The Merchiston, Morningside, and Newington municipal wards of the county of the city of Edinburgh.
1950–1983: The Liberton, Morningside and Newington wards (as constituted by the Local Government (Scotland) (Edinburgh Wards) Order 1948, SI 1948/1138) of the county of the city of Edinburgh.
1983–1997: Electoral divisions 32 (Merchiston/Morningside), 33 (Sciennes/Marchmont), 34 (Prestonfield/Mayfield), 37 (Alnwickhill/Kaimes) and 38 (Inch/Gilmerton) of the City of Edinburgh.
1997–2005: Electoral divisions 32 (Merchiston/Morningside), 33 (Sciennes/Marchmont), 34 (Prestonfield/Mayfield), 36 (Alnwickhill/Kaimes) and 37 (Inch/Gilmerton) of 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 Merchiston, North Morningside/Grange, Marchmont, Sciennes, Newington, South Morningside, Fairmilehead, Alnwickhill, Kaimes, Moredun, and Gilmerton.
In 2005, prior to the general election, Edinburgh South 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. For the 2005 election, the constituency was enlarged to include areas from the former Edinburgh Pentlands constituency, and became one of five constituencies covering the city area, all entirely within that area.
2024–present: Under the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency contains the following wards or part wards of the City of Edinburgh Council:
* A minority of Colinton/Fairmilehead ward, comprising the Fairmilehead district;
* nearly all of Morningside ward;
* the majority of Southside/Newington ward - excluding the Southside area to the north; and
* the whole of Liberton/Gilmerton ward.
As a result of the boundary review, the Prestonfield area of the Southside/Newington ward was transferred from Edinburgh East.

## Members of Parliament

| Year | Member | Party |
| 1885 | Sir George Harrison | Liberal |
| 1886 by-election | Hugh Childers | Liberal |
| 1892 | Herbert Paul | Liberal |
| 1895 | Robert Cox | Liberal Unionist |
| 1899 by-election | Arthur Dewar | Liberal |
| 1900 | Sir Andrew Agnew | Liberal Unionist |
| 1906 | Arthur Dewar | Liberal |
| 1910 by-election | Charles Lyell | Liberal |
| 1917 by-election | Sir Edward Parrott | Liberal |
| 1918 | Charles David Murray | Unionist |
| 1922 | Samuel Chapman | Unionist |
| 1945 | William Darling | Unionist |
| 1957 by-election | Michael Clark Hutchison | Unionist |
| 1965 | Michael Clark Hutchison | Conservative |
| 1979 | Michael Ancram | Conservative |
| 1987 | Nigel Griffiths | Labour |
| 2010 | Ian Murray | Labour |

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

General election 2024: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Murray | 24,976 | 53.3 | +7.1 |
| | SNP | Simita Kumar | 7,725 | 16.5 | −9.4 |
| | Scottish Green | Jo Phillips | 4,270 | 9.1 | +6.2 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Cowdy | 4,001 | 8.5 | −8.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andy Williamson | 2,746 | 5.9 | −2.3 |
| | Reform UK | Cameron Rose | 1,845 | 3.9 | N/A |
| | Independent | Alex Martin | 466 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | Alba | Lynne Lyon | 454 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | Scottish Family | Phil Holden | 267 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Independent | Mark Rowbotham | 76 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,251 | 36.8 | +14.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,951 | 66.3 | −8.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 70,838 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +7.2 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Murray | 23,745 | 47.7 | −7.2 |
| | SNP | Catriona MacDonald | 12,650 | 25.4 | +2.9 |
| | Conservative | Nick Cook | 8,161 | 16.4 | −3.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Beal | 3,819 | 7.7 | +4.8 |
| | Scottish Green | Kate Nevens | 1,357 | 2.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,095 | 22.3 | −10.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,732 | 75.1 | +1.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −5.1 | |
General election 2017: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Murray | 26,269 | 54.9 | +15.8 |
| | SNP | Jim Eadie | 10,755 | 22.5 | −11.3 |
| | Conservative | Stephanie Smith | 9,428 | 19.7 | +2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Beal | 1,388 | 2.9 | −0.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,514 | 32.4 | +27.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,840 | 74.1 | −0.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +13.6 | |
General election 2015: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Murray | 19,293 | 39.1 | +4.4 |
| | SNP | Neil Hay | 16,656 | 33.8 | +26.1 |
| | Conservative | Miles Briggs | 8,626 | 17.5 | −4.1 |
| | Scottish Green | Phyl Meyer | 2,090 | 4.2 | +2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Pramod Subbaraman | 1,823 | 3.7 | −30.3 |
| | UKIP | Paul Marshall | 601 | 1.2 | New |
| | Scottish Socialist | Colin Fox | 197 | 0.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,637 | 5.3 | +4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,286 | 74.9 | +1.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -10.9 | |
General election 2010: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Murray | 15,215 | 34.7 | +1.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Fred Mackintosh | 14,899 | 34.0 | +1.7 |
| | Conservative | Neil Hudson | 9,452 | 21.6 | −2.5 |
| | SNP | Sandy Howat | 3,354 | 7.7 | +1.5 |
| | Scottish Green | Steve Burgess | 881 | 2.0 | −1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 316 | 0.7 | −0.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,801 | 73.8 | +3.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -0.1 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nigel Griffiths | 14,188 | 33.2 | −6.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Marilyne MacLaren | 13,783 | 32.3 | +7.0 |
| | Conservative | Gavin Brown | 10,291 | 24.1 | +1.4 |
| | SNP | Graham Sutherland | 2,635 | 6.2 | −3.1 |
| | Scottish Green | Steve Burgess | 1,387 | 3.2 | New |
| | Scottish Socialist | Morag Robertson | 414 | 1.0 | −1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 405 | 0.9 | −13.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,698 | 69.9 | +9.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -6.5 | |
General election 2001: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nigel Griffiths | 15,671 | 42.2 | −4.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Marilyne MacLaren | 10,172 | 27.4 | +9.8 |
| | Conservative | Gordon Buchan | 6,172 | 16.6 | −4.7 |
| | SNP | Heather Williams | 3,683 | 9.9 | −3.0 |
| | Scottish Socialist | Colin Fox | 933 | 2.5 | New |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Margaret Hendry | 535 | 1.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,499 | 14.8 | −10.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,166 | 57.7 | −14.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -7.2 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nigel Griffiths | 20,993 | 46.8 | +5.3 |
| | Conservative | Liz Smith | 9,541 | 21.3 | −10.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Pringle | 7,911 | 17.6 | +4.2 |
| | SNP | John Hargreaves | 5,791 | 12.9 | +0.1 |
| | Referendum | Ian McLean | 504 | 1.1 | New |
| | Natural Law | Bradley Dunn | 98 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,452 | 25.5 | +16.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,838 | 71.8 | −0.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +8.1 | |
General election 1992: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nigel Griffiths | 18,485 | 41.5 | +3.8 |
| | Conservative | Struan Stevenson | 14,309 | 32.1 | −1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Bob McCreadie | 5,961 | 13.4 | −9.1 |
| | SNP | Roger Knox | 5,727 | 12.8 | +7.7 |
| | Natural Law | George Manclark | 108 | 0.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,176 | 9.4 | +5.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,590 | 72.7 | −5.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nigel Griffiths | 18,211 | 37.7 | +9.1 |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 16,352 | 33.8 | −3.0 |
| | SDP | David Graham | 10,900 | 22.5 | −6.1 |
| | SNP | Catherina Moore | 2,455 | 5.1 | +0.1 |
| | Green | Ruth Clark | 440 | 0.9 | −0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,859 | 3.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,358 | 77.7 | +6.0 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -6.0 | |
General election 1983: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 16,485 | 36.8 | −6.3 |
| | SDP | John Godfrey | 12,830 | 28.6 | +12.2 |
| | Labour | Dr Robert McCreadie | 12,824 | 28.6 | −6.3 |
| | SNP | Neil MacCallum | 2,256 | 5.0 | −3.1 |
| | Ecology | Linda Hendry | 450 | 1.0 | −0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,655 | 8.2 | +2.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,845 | 71.7 | −5.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 17,986 | 39.74 | +3.82 |
| | Labour | Gordon Brown | 15,526 | 34.30 | +6.12 |
| | Liberal | J.P. Bryan Lovell | 7,400 | 16.35 | +2.13 |
| | SNP | Robert Shirley | 3,800 | 8.40 | −13.29 |
| | Ecology | Stewart M. Biggar | 552 | 1.22 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,460 | 5.43 | −2.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,264 | 77.30 | +3.12 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Hutchison | 14,962 | 35.92 | |
| | Labour | C. Haddow | 11,736 | 28.18 | |
| | SNP | Robert Shirley | 9,034 | 21.69 | +8.88 |
| | Liberal | Nathaniel L. Gordon | 5,921 | 14.22 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,226 | 7.74 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,653 | 74.18 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Hutchison | 18,784 | 41.74 | |
| | Labour | T.J. Davies | 12,403 | 27.54 | |
| | Liberal | Nathaniel L. Gordon | 8,073 | 17.93 | |
| | SNP | Robert Shirley | 5,770 | 12.81 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,381 | 14.20 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,030 | 80.83 | +6.84 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1970: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Hutchison | 19,851 | 48.12 | |
| | Labour | John Henderson | 15,071 | 36.53 | |
| | Liberal | Ronald H. Guild | 3,469 | 8.41 | New |
| | SNP | David J. Stevenson | 2,861 | 6.94 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,780 | 11.59 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,252 | 73.99 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Hutchison | 20,820 | 53.16 | −0.01 |
| | Labour | James W. Kerr | 15,487 | 39.54 | +5.82 |
| | SNP | H. McLean Robertson | 2,856 | 7.29 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,333 | 13.62 | −5.83 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,163 | 77.63 | −2.69 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1964: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Unionist | Michael Hutchison | 21,375 | 53.17 |
| | Labour | James W. Kerr | 13,555 | 33.72 |
| | Liberal | Ronald H. Guild | 5,272 | 13.11 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,820 | 19.45 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,202 | 80.32 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Michael Hutchison | 22,799 | 57.59 | −9.93 |
| | Labour | Alex D. Reid | 11,285 | 28.51 | −3.97 |
| | Liberal | William Douglas-Home | 5,505 | 13.91 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,514 | 29.08 | −5.95 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,589 | 81.18 | +3.94 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
1957 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Michael Hutchison | 14,421 | 45.58 | −21.94 |
| | Labour | James A. Forsyth | 9,781 | 30.91 | −1.57 |
| | Liberal | William Douglas-Home | 7,439 | 23.51 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,640 | 14.67 | −20.37 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 31,641 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
General election 1955: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | William Darling | 24,836 | 67.52 | −5.06 |
| | Labour | James A. Forsyth | 11,949 | 32.48 | +5.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,887 | 35.04 | −10.12 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,785 | 77.24 | −4.19 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | William Darling | 25,545 | 72.58 | +7.57 |
| | Labour | James A. Forsyth | 10,030 | 27.42 | +2.85 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,515 | 45.16 | +4.73 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,575 | 81.43 | −0.89 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |
General election 1950: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | William Darling | 23,081 | 65.01 | |
| | Labour | William Earsman | 8,725 | 24.57 | |
| | Liberal | Lionel Daiches | 3,699 | 10.42 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,356 | 40.44 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,505 | 82.14 | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |

### Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | William Darling | 23,652 | 70.77 | −13.78 |
| | Labour | William Earsman | 9,767 | 29.23 | +13.78 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,885 | 41.54 | −25.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 33,419 | 66.50 | −1.06 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Samuel Chapman | 27,254 | 83.55 | N/A |
| | Labour | Barbara Woodburn | 5,365 | 16.45 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,889 | 67.10 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 32,619 | 67.56 | N/A |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1931: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Samuel Chapman | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Samuel Chapman | 19,541 | 56.7 | −7.7 |
| | Liberal | Arthur Pillans Laurie | 9,849 | 28.6 | −7.0 |
| | Labour | Arthur Woodburn | 5,050 | 14.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,692 | 28.1 | −0.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,440 | 75.2 | +1.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 45,794 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −0.4 | |
General election 1924: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Samuel Chapman | 15,854 | 64.4 | +8.7 |
| | Liberal | David Cleghorn Thomson | 8,777 | 35.6 | −8.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,077 | 28.8 | +17.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 24,631 | 73.6 | +3.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 33,447 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | +8.7 | |
General election 1923: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Samuel Chapman | 12,804 | 55.7 | −11.0 |
| | Liberal | William Hope | 10,194 | 44.3 | +11.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,610 | 11.4 | −22.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,998 | 70.2 | +1.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,745 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −11.0 | |
General election 1922: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Samuel Chapman | 14,843 | 66.7 | −8.3 |
| | Liberal | Catherine Alderton | 7,408 | 33.3 | +8.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,435 | 33.4 | −16.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,251 | 69.2 | +7.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,152 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −8.3 | |
1920 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Coalition Unionist | Charles Murray | 11,176 | 57.7 | −17.3 |
| | Liberal | Daniel Holmes | 8,177 | 42.3 | +17.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,999 | 15.4 | −34.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,353 | 59.3 | −2.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,656 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −17.3 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| C | Unionist | Charles Murray | 14,874 | 75.0 | +29.5 |
| | Liberal | David Caird | 4,966 | 25.0 | −29.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,908 | 50.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,840 | 61.7 | −22.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,087 | | |
| | Unionist gain from Liberal | Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +29.5 | |
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. ||||||
1917 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Edward Parrott | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
General election December 1910: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Charles Henry Lyell | 9,576 | 54.5 | −1.9 |
| | Conservative | Charles Murray | 7,986 | 45.5 | +1.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,590 | 9.0 | −3.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,562 | 84.2 | −4.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,868 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −1.9 | |
1910 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Charles Henry Lyell | 8,694 | 57.7 | +1.3 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Ralph Glyn | 6,367 | 42.3 | −1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,327 | 15.4 | +2.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,061 | 73.7 | −15.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,433 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +1.3 | |
General election January 1910: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Dewar | 10,235 | 56.4 | −7.4 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Harold B Cox | 7,901 | 43.6 | +7.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,334 | 12.8 | −14.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,136 | 88.8 | +5.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,433 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −7.4 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

1909 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Dewar | 8,185 | 54.0 | −9.8 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Harold B Cox | 6,964 | 46.0 | +9.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,221 | 8.0 | −19.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,149 | 80.6 | −2.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 18,789 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −9.8 | |
General election 1906: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Dewar | 8,945 | 63.8 | +14.3 |
| | Liberal Unionist | William C. Smith | 5,085 | 36.2 | −14.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,860 | 27.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,030 | 83.4 | +6.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,832 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +14.3 | |
General election 1900: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Andrew Agnew | 5,766 | 50.5 | 0.0 |
| | Liberal | Arthur Dewar | 5,655 | 49.5 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 111 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,421 | 77.2 | −.1.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,794 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | 0.0 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

1899 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Dewar | 5,820 | 53.8 | +4.3 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Wauchope | 4,989 | 46.2 | −4.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 831 | 7.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,809 | 77.8 | −1.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,891 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +4.3 | |
General election 1895: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Robert Cox | 4,802 | 50.5 | +2.9 |
| | Liberal | Herbert Paul | 4,705 | 49.5 | −2.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 97 | 1.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,507 | 78.9 | −4.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,053 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.9 | |
General election 1892: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Herbert Paul | 4,692 | 52.4 | −10.9 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Lewis MacIver | 4,261 | 47.6 | +10.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 431 | 4.8 | −21.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,953 | 82.9 | +14.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,799 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −10.9 | |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Hugh Childers | 3,778 | 63.3 | +23.1 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Robert Purvis | 2,191 | 36.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,587 | 26.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,969 | 68.2 | −13.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,754 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Swing | N/A | |
1886 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Hugh Childers | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal |
* Caused by Childers' appointment as Home Secretary.
1886 by-election: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Hugh Childers | 4,029 | 70.0 | +29.8 |
| | Conservative | Walter George Hepburne-Scott, 9th Lord Polwarth | 1,730 | 30.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,299 | 40.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,759 | 65.8 | −15.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,754 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Liberal gain from Independent Liberal | Swing | N/A | |
* Caused by Harrison's death.
General election 1885: Edinburgh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent Liberal | George Harrison | 4,273 | 59.8 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Thomas Raleigh | 2,874 | 40.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,399 | 19.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,147 | 81.6 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,754 | | |
| | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) |

## Referendum results
### 2016 European Union membership referendum

| Constituency | Leave votes | Remain votes | Leave % | Remain % |
| Edinburgh South | 10,549 | 37,069 | 22.2% | 77.8% |

### 2014 Scottish independence referendum

| Constituency | No votes | Yes votes | No % | Yes % |
| Edinburgh South | 38,298 | 20,340 | 65.3% | 34.7% |