Scott Arthur named MP of the Year for Rare Cancers Act

Labour MP Scott Arthur has been named Scottish MP of the Year at Holyrood’s annual Showcasing Scotland Summer Reception and MP Awards.

Arthur successfully steered his Rare Cancers Bill through parliament, which will incentive research and investment into treatments for rare types of cancer.

The Edinburgh South West MP brought the legislation forward as a private members’ bill not long after being elected in 2024, and it became an act in March this year.

It was taken through the Lords by Labour peer Baroness Elliot of Whitburn Bay.

The act defines ‘rare cancer’ in law for the first time, meaning any cancer where fewer than six in 100,000 people are diagnosed with it each year.

People with rare cancers often face delays in getting diagnosed and must travel for specialist care and tend to have fewer national guidelines on treatment.

The bill will improve access to orphan drugs across the UK, reviewing how medicines for rare conditions are approved and funded.

It will also create a strategy for research and a national database of those diagnosed with such conditions to better connect them to clinical trials – though these two elements only apply to England as they cover devolved areas.

Accepting the award, Scott – whose father-in-law Ivor Hutchison died of glioblastoma – said he hoped that the bill will help to save many lives.

The reception took place in Westminster on Tuesday evening, hosted by Holyrood and sponsored by Nationwide.

Individual awards were sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association, True North Advisors, Babcock and Warmworks.

The SNP’s Westminster leader Dave Doogan was named the One to Watch, having taken over leadership of the group after Stephen Flynn moved to Holyrood.

Conservative Andrew Bowie received the Business of Politics Award for his championing of the energy sector and ensuring the future of the oil and has sector remain on the agenda.

Other winners were:

• Torcuil Crichton – Speech of the Year
• Tracy Gilbert – Braveheart Award
• Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Michael Forsyth) – Scottish Peer of the Year