Dr Charlene Kay

    Covering
    Colinton, Colinton Mains, Bonaly, Dreghorn, Swanston, Oxgangs, Fairmilehead, Buckstone, and Comiston
  

Meet the Candidate

Get to know Charlene

Charlene holding one of her chickens in the back garden — Back garden, Oxgangs

Charlene at the Aldi on Oxgangs Road North — The local Aldi

She's your neighbour

Charlene lives in Oxgangs with her husband, three children and four chickens. The issues that matter to Colinton/Fairmilehead matter to her, because she lives here.

Breast cancer research is her day job

When she's not advocating for local causes, Dr Charlene Kay is working in cancer research, as she has for more than 10 years. Her PhD focused on lymph node metastases in breast cancer, and she works as a Research Assistant in the Translational Oncology Research Group.

She was voted Scientist of the Week by students in the I'm A Scientist Cancer Zone public engagement event.

She ran the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 10k to raise money for NHS Lothian Charity, whose Breast Cancer Institute funded her PhD.

Charlene in a lab coat in her research laboratory — In the lab

Charlene running the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 10k in an NHS Lothian Charity t-shirt — Running for NHS Lothian Charity

Charlene in hospital after donating a kidney, holding a tin of kidney beans — Yes, those are kidney beans

She gave a kidney to a stranger

In August 2019, Charlene donated a kidney as an altruistic donor at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. She was inspired by her mum, who did the same in 2016.

She helped make Edinburgh schools smartphone-free

Following more than a year of advocacy by Charlene, Edinburgh Council's Education Committee agreed in June 2026 to introduce a smartphone-free school day, covering lessons, breaks, and lunchtime.

Andy Williamson and Charlene Kay outside the City Chambers in Smartphone-Free Schools t-shirts — With Andy at the City Chambers, June 2026

Charlene being interviewed by a local TV crew outside the Scottish Parliament

Why she's running

Speaking up gets results

Campaigning for smartphone-free schools showed Charlene what you can achieve when you speak up, make a reasoned case, and build bridges rather than shout. Being part of the democratic process inspired her to stand for Council.

She is results-driven. She believes in holding decision-makers to account and never accepting that ‘nothing can be done’. Now she wants to bring that to the whole ward.

“I've learned that real change doesn't come from social media echo chambers. It comes from meeting people face to face, listening to opposing views, and finding common ground. Seeing what can be achieved through genuine engagement inspired me to stand for Council.”
Charlene Kay

Key issues

What Charlene will work on

A voice for residents

Everyone deserves a meaningful say in the decisions that shape our area, from new developments to local services.

Safety

Safer streets, crossings and junctions, so everyone can get around the ward with confidence.

Transport and roads

Well-maintained roads and pavements, reliable buses and less congestion for everyone travelling to and from our ward.

Green spaces

Protecting our parks, paths and access to the Pentlands, so they stay safe, well cared for and open to everyone.

Schools and young people

Making sure every child has a great school day, building on the work to make Edinburgh schools smartphone-free.

Services that deliver

Holding the Council to its promises, from bin collections to repairs, and following through until things get done.

Contact

Get in touch with Charlene

Charlene is out meeting residents across the area. If she hasn't reached your street yet, get in touch and share what matters most to you and what you'd like to see improved.

Charlene.Kay@EdinburghLibDems.org Charlene with campaign volunteers on an evening out in Colinton

Want to join the local team? EdinburghLibDems.org/volunteer