Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“As Ukraine works to consolidate recent gains and secure further political and financial backing, the Scottish Government continues to respond to urgent Ukrainian requests for support by working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
“Those are acts of terrorism by the Russians, and they need to be described as such. He said that there should be no slackening of our commitments and that we should encourage the United Kingdom and other countries to provide everything that Ukraine requires to defend itself and to liberate the occupied territories.”
“He has served as a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the city of Aberdeen and as a Government minister in a number of portfolios, during which time he discharged his duties with tremendous engagement and professionalism—and we must not forget his local government background in Aberdeen.”
“Never forget what was agreed with Nazi Germany in relation to the Sudetenland in 1938 and what followed from that. Murdo Fraser paid tribute to Scottish volunteers and charities, and he was absolutely right to say that we need to do more.”
“I thank colleagues for their thoughtful contributions to this debate. The Scottish Parliament speaks with one voice in solidarity with Ukraine. If one was watching proceedings, one would not be able to guess which party any of us represented. We are speaking with one voice.”
“Stephen Kerr: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the seized assets that belong to Russian oligarchs and other friends of Putin should be put immediately at the disposal of Ukraine’s defence? Angus Robertson: The simple answer is yes, and we should be getting on with it.”
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“Maurice Golden: I am interested in how the Scottish Government plans to engage with international organisations such as the United Nations to advocate the creation of a fairer global debt framework. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that international aid organisations that are based in Scotland, such as Mercy Corps, could be hit hard as a result of the United Kingdom Government’s decision to slash the international aid budget? Angus Robertson: I give Maurice Golden the assurance that the Scottish Government remains closely in touch with multilateral organisations and our partner countries to address the issues that he has identified. Maurice Golden’s second point requires a lot more attention. In Scotland, we are very fortunate to have charitable organisations and others that do a lot of excellent work internationally.”
“Campaigners are raising concerns that global debt is at its worst level in 30 years, with 34 countries in Africa in debt distress. The Scottish Government remains committed to equitable partnerships with our partner countries to tackle shared global challenges. Our international development fund has been led by our partners to ensure that our portfolio is aligned with their national priorities in order to maximise impact. That has resulted in our programmes focusing on areas that are often neglected and underfunded, such as inclusive education, non- communicable diseases and tackling gender- based violence, with the money delivered through grants rather than loans. We remain committed to global equity and justice.”
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“I understand that Historic Environment Scotland provided feedback to the Brownsbank trust on a previous proposal, and I encourage the trust to continue engaging with our public bodies. Hugh MacDiarmid’s commitment to Scotland and to literature has left a remarkable legacy for us. I congratulate everyone who took part in the debate and commend Hugh MacDiarmid’s work to everyone with an interest in the complexities of our history, which continue to shape us today. I commend, too, the work of the Brownsbank trustees in securing Hugh MacDiarmid’s former home for future generations to enjoy. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 17:38. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“The debate is a reflection of the importance of protecting the place where he lived for the last 27 years of his life, for it was at Brownsbank cottage that Hugh MacDiarmid lived with his wife, Valda Trevlyn, from 1951 to 1978. The story of the cottage forms part of our heritage, which defines who we are as a nation and is hugely inspirational, helping to create a powerful sense of place and providing a backdrop against which we live, work and have fun. The Scottish Government delivers support for the historic environment through sponsorship of Historic Environment Scotland. Through its grant schemes, HES delivers benefits for communities by helping to regenerate and promote the active use, care and maintenance of the historic environment.”
“In 2023, the Université de Bretagne Occidentale, which is based in Brest, held the first international Hugh MacDiarmid conference. The Scottish Government is keen to take advantage of such opportunities in future to celebrate the legacy of poets such as Hugh MacDiarmid domestically and internationally, particularly as we continue to expand our links with Scotland’s diaspora. It is a testimony to the vision and tenacity of the Brownsbank trustees, the support provided by MSPs from across the Parliament and the advice provided to the trustees by our national bodies that we are discussing Hugh MacDiarmid’s huge and lasting legacy in Scotland today.”
“The Scottish Government supports bodies such as the Association of Scottish Literary Studies, the Scottish Book Trust, Scots Hoose and the Scots Language Centre. Those organisations built on Hugh MacDiarmid’s legacy by further enriching Scots language literature and raising the status of Scots in our public and cultural life. Hugh MacDiarmid experienced years of exile, collapse and recovery in the 1930s, and he continued to dominate the Scottish literary world, even as he aged. His work in the 1950s and 1960s continued his fascination with languages and art forms as he sought to celebrate human creativity in all its aspects. MacDiarmid’s legacy continues to help build Scotland’s reputation and inspires academic and international links.”
“Notably, from my perspective, he was a founding member of the National Party of Scotland in 1928. I wonder what he would have made of our debate in the Scottish Parliament this evening and of the event that follows it, organised by the Brownsbank trust, to celebrate his life, his work and his home. By 1922, Grieve had begun to use the pseudonym “Hugh MacDiarmid” when he published a verse in Scots, and his early writing heralded a new literary movement in Scotland. Hugh MacDiarmid is rightly associated with the Scots language, and he was also a strong supporter of the promotion and use of Gaelic, as were others who, with him, formed the Scottish literary renaissance. Today, the Scottish Government has a number of interventions and projects in place to support Gaelic and Scots, with new funding to be provided in 2025-26.”
“He was a pupil at Broughton high school, the school that I would attend—many decades later, I hasten to add. Indeed, there was house that was named after him—Grieve house. As a young journalist, MacDiarmid reported on the challenges facing those living in the mining communities of Wales for a socialist newspaper run by Keir Hardie, the Scottish founder and leader of the Labour Party. By the early 1920s, his political consciousness was growing, shaped, no doubt, by the seismic events around him: the first world war of 1914 to 1918, the Easter rising in Ireland in 1916, the Russian revolution in 1917 and his own experiences during time spent in the military. As we have heard, MacDiarmid’s political views changed over time; they reportedly encompassed socialism, communism, labour values and Scottish nationalism.”
“I am grateful to Clare Adamson for lodging the motion and securing the debate. It is right that we celebrate the life and legacy of Hugh MacDiarmid and mark the work of the Brownsbank trustees, whom I have met in the past. I commend their efforts in promoting the preservation of this legendary poet’s work and home for future generations to enjoy. I thank the various speakers in the debate for their valuable and interesting contributions. I begin by reflecting on Hugh MacDiarmid’s life, as others have remembered him, offering a few personal reflections. As we have heard, Christopher Murray Grieve was born in 1892 in Langholm, in what is now Dumfries and Galloway. He died in 1978, aged 86. He was a voracious reader as a boy, which set him up well for his future careers, in which he celebrated words and languages.”
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“I say “Thank you” to those from Ukraine who have made Scotland their home for now. As we continue to hope for peace in Ukraine, our message remains the same. We will continue to stand with the courageous people of Ukraine. We will continue to take an approach that is shaped by our compassion and the need to stand up for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and we remain fully committed to supporting Ukraine’s long-term future and playing our full part in helping to deliver it. Slava Ukraini. Heroyam slava. [Applause.] Meeting closed at 18:24. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the work of our local authorities and our third sector partners across Scotland, which continue to ensure that Ukrainian people are able to access the services that they need. Ukrainian communities are now flourishing across Scotland, from the Western Isles to Dumfries and Galloway, and from Orkney to the Scottish Borders. In my role as cabinet secretary, I have had the pleasure and the honour to meet so many Ukrainian people across Scotland and to hear at first hand their personal stories. The past three years have allowed so many Ukrainians to become our friends, our neighbours and our colleagues. While many Ukrainians have been helped by the Scottish welcome, we, in turn, are rewarded by the Ukrainian families who have come here.”
“As part of our on-going solidarity, we will continue to support our friends from Ukraine to settle well in Scotland. We will endeavour to do everything that we can to provide a warm future and to support them to build a new life here. Since the war against Ukraine began, more than 28,000 people with a Scottish sponsor have arrived in the UK, and 21,000 of those arrivals have come through the Scottish Government’s successful supersponsorship scheme. That has enabled us to offer sanctuary to more Ukrainians than any other part of the UK. I am incredibly proud of the kindness and friendship that have been extended by people across Scotland to those who are fleeing war. Many people have opened their homes to Ukrainians, offered them a safe place to stay and helped them to settle into life here.”
“It is a moment not only to acknowledge the horrors of war, but to celebrate the enduring hope and courage that persist even in these darkest of times. Now more than ever, we need to emphasise the importance of global dialogues and unity across the political spectrum. As the First Minister has emphasised, we all need to find a cool and rational way through the current challenges that we face. Throughout the three years of war since the full- scale invasion, the Scottish Government has repeatedly condemned Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. We must continue to show that we are steadfast behind Ukraine and alongside our partners in Europe. There were strong signs of European unity and solidarity on display in London at the weekend. I was encouraged to see the shared commitment to stepping up to support Ukraine.”
“Thousands of Ukrainians who have made Scotland their home will be deeply concerned by recent developments. As members across the chamber have done, I offer an assurance of our continuing commitment to securing a strong and durable peace that ensures that Ukraine has a secure future. We are clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of the talks. We all wish a speedy victory for Ukraine and a resolution that restores peace to the Ukrainian people and ensures Ukrainian sovereignty, democracy, independence and its territorial integrity. Ukrainians continue to stand firm and are defending their country, their homes, their culture and their independence. Their spirit serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom and the lengths to which people will go to protect it.”
“Stephen Kerr: I know that the cabinet secretary was a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee at Westminster for a number of years. Will he reflect on the pervasive nature of Russian misinformation and propaganda, which is currently flooding all the social network platforms and having a regrettable influence on the direction of public opinion? Angus Robertson: We most certainly should be aware of that danger, and we should counter it. We should make sure that we can rely on reliable news sources. However, it should surely be obvious to anybody that Russia invaded Ukraine. There is no doubt about that, regardless of some of the revisionism that we have heard in recent weeks and months. Let us never tire of pointing out the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim, and we stand with Ukraine.”
“The Ukrainians resisted, they stood, they defeated the Russians at Hostomel, and the rest is history. They have been able to withstand the Russian aggression at great cost. We are repulsed by the appalling and shocking violence that we have seen, but we remain inspired by the on-going strength, resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian armed forces. That includes all those who are fighting on the front lines, the families who have had to leave their homes and loved ones behind in search of safety elsewhere, and the people who are having to go to the bunkers for safety because of the daily rocket attacks on cities throughout Ukraine. We must realise the significance of the moment that we face.”
“That lesson about the scale of the challenge that we are facing needs to be learned by other Governments, including our own. We have heard about the importance of a just peace a number of times. When I hear some people talking about securing peace for Ukraine, I fear that it sounds a lot like surrender with a bow on top. We need to remember that Russia can end this war tomorrow; it just needs to withdraw its troops and leave. I agree that it should pay for what it has done to Ukraine. [Applause.] Last week, we marked three years since Russia’s brutal full-scale attack on Ukraine. How much we owe to the Ukrainians who resisted at Hostomel right at the start. Just imagine what would have happened if the Russians had managed to take that airfield and proceeded with their plans.”
“Angus Robertson: Absolutely. That is really important. I agree with Neil Bibby. I want to reflect on a number of things that members raised. We cannot countenance the warning of inaction in the face of aggression. We should give consideration to what happens with Russian assets, €300 billion-worth of which are deposited in Europe. We should also consider the growing European commitments to defence and security. There has not been much mention today, either here or in the UK media, of what I consider to be the historic announcement by Germany yesterday—probably the biggest single financial announcement that has been made by a German Government since the second world war—of new spending of €500 billion on defence and infrastructure. Germany understands the scale that we will have to aim for.”
“We have heard all about the courage and determination of Ukraine’s democratically elected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and, indeed, of all Ukrainians, not only since Russia’s full-scale invasion but since the invasion of Crimea, in the east of the country, years previously. Rather than single out any particular speech, I pay tribute to everybody who has spoken, because everybody has spoken in support of Ukraine this evening. Neil Bibby: I absolutely welcome what the cabinet secretary has said about the cross-party support for Ukraine that we are hearing here this evening. We need to maintain that and to consistently support Ukraine for the long term. Will he join me in welcoming the 100-year co-operation agreement between the United Kingdom and Ukraine and in saying that we should steadfastly support Ukraine for the long term?”
“We have been reminded about 1958 in Hungary and 1968 in Czechoslovakia. The Soviets and the Russians have form in all this. The statement from the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, reflecting on the European leaders’ summit, was extraordinarily welcome. Given the literally dangerous situation that we find ourselves in, the fact that there is cross-party support not only in this debate but more widely—which is perhaps too rare—is a reflection of our understanding of how important it is that we work together. That was echoed yesterday by the First Minister’s statement in the Parliament. The First Minister emphasised a number of themes that I think have come through in the contributions that we have heard.”
“I thank Colin Beattie for bringing the debate to the chamber and, as ever, for his long- standing and steadfast support for Ukraine. As other members have done, I acknowledge the presence of the Consul of Ukraine, Andrii Madzyanovski, and other members of the Ukrainian Scottish community. As Liam McArthur has done, I share our appreciation for his predecessors, Andrii Kuzlii, and, before him, Yevhen Mankovskyi, who also played such an important role after the full-scale Russian invasion. It is important to remember that, as a number of colleagues have pointed out, the Russian aggression started not three years ago but way before that. That is the Ukrainian experience. If you want to know about Russia’s imperial ambitions, speak to the Georgians in Abkhazia or South Ossetia, or to the Moldovans—the list goes on.”
“Historic Environment Scotland provides access to extensive digital resources, which range from curated online exhibitions to interactive online maps that show archaeological and historical sites, as well as modern and past land use across the country. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Questions 7 and 8 were not lodged, so that concludes questions on the constitution, external affairs and culture portfolio. Justice and Home Affairs The Deputy Presiding Officer: The next portfolio is justice and home affairs. As ever, members who wish to ask a supplementary should press their request-to-speak buttons during the relevant question. Again, there is quite a bit of demand for supplementaries, so brevity in both questions and responses would be appreciated. National Strategy for Community Justice 1.”
“Virtual libraries play a key part in opening up that access. Does the Scottish Government see a continuing role for such libraries, so that our wonderful Scottish resources and archives of the written and spoken word, music and art can be digitised and made accessible for the benefit of everyone from my constituents in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley to people in the furthest corners of the globe? Angus Robertson: Yes—we are supportive of digitisation efforts to ensure that Scotland’s cultural assets are accessible to domestic and global audiences. I will give just two examples. The National Library of Scotland is already undertaking extensive work to digitise its collection, with a third of it now being in digital format. That includes thousands of maps, moving images, books, newspapers and journals.”
“The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Library and Information Council’s public library improvement fund, which supports both the physical and the virtual library offers. The fund has supported multiple local authorities to access equipment, training and resources to take library services online. In Mr Coffey’s constituency, the “On the road to digital success” project provides digital access and assistance to communities across East Ayrshire. The Scottish Library and Information Council is committed to blending the digital and the physical spaces to create an offer that is responsive to evolving needs. Willie Coffey: The digital revolution makes it possible for anyone on earth who has a connection to access all the richest material and knowledge that we have ever gathered in human history.”
“The budget reflects that intent by providing £4 million of additional support for Scotland’s arts festivals, which includes a £3 million expansion of the expo festival fund to enhance the work that has been undertaken by existing expo fund recipients and to broaden the scope of the fund across the country.”
“Emma Harper: Will the cabinet secretary share how the Scottish Government, through Creative Scotland, will support smaller festivals that take place away from the central belt and are created by the community, such as the Stranraer oyster festival, Kirkcudbright festival of light and the Big Burns Supper? Angus Robertson: I completely agree with Emma Harper about the importance that she places on supporting festivals in all corners of the country. That is why I initiated a strategic partnership for Scotland’s arts festivals, thereby ensuring that we can support them to flourish. Through the conversations that I have had across the culture sector, my focus has been on turning intent into delivery.”
“As I outlined in my statement to Parliament on 30 January, Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding provides a basis for Scotland’s cultural sector to look to the future with optimism. A total of 251 cultural organisations will receive funding from 2025-26, and a further 13 organisations will have the possibility of joining from 2026-27. Creative Scotland has been able to support every organisation that met the funding criteria because of the level of funding that the Scottish Government has been able to commit. I reiterate my congratulations to all the organisations that have secured financial support.”
“I look forward to working with Jackie Baillie and other members, including regional members of the Scottish Parliament who represent Dumbarton, on making sure that the castle is presented and supported in the way that she and everybody else would expect. Creative Scotland (Funding for Cultural and Creative Programmes) 5.”
“We discussed the range of improvements that the castle requires, and Historic Environment Scotland agreed to set out a strategic plan for the future, including addressing repairs and conservation, attracting more visitors and returning some of the collection for display. Can the cabinet secretary set out a timetable for the plan to be implemented? Angus Robertson: I praise the ingenious way in which Jackie Baillie has invited me to publicise a plan from an arm’s-length organisation that I do not manage on an operational basis. However, I will reflect on the very encouraging update that she has given to Parliament. I look forward to her and Historic Environment Scotland briefing me more when we visit Dumbarton castle. I do not need to rehearse the history of Dumbarton castle—I know how important it is.”
“As the lead public body for the historic environment, Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for the plans and care of Dumbarton castle. I will ask Historic Environment Scotland to write directly to Jackie Baillie with the answer to her question. As I said to members in December, I am happy to take up the invitation to visit Dumbarton castle with Jackie Baillie, and I confirm that the arrangements for that visit are in hand. Jackie Baillie: I will not rehearse the importance of Dumbarton castle in the history of Scotland. I am pleased that the cabinet secretary will join me on a visit to Dumbarton castle. However, since I last raised the issue in the chamber, I have had a productive meeting in the constituency with Historic Environment Scotland, friends of Dumbarton castle, and West Dunbartonshire Council.”
“I recognise how disappointing East Lothian Council’s difficult decision to close Brunton theatre is. As I have previously advised, it is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets, and it is also necessary to ensure that the building is safe. I welcome the fact that the Brunton has already managed to continue to operate through other locations across East Lothian and the excellent recent news that it was successful in its application to Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding programme, with an award of £130,000. I look forward to seeing its plans for the use of that funding.”
“Local authorities are accountable to the public who elect them and have the financial freedom to operate independently. I am in contact with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ spokesperson for community wellbeing, Councillor Maureen Chalmers, whom I met last month. I will work with culture conveners throughout 2025 on how local and national organisations can work together to support and promote culture. Colin Beattie: Arts and culture are a key part of the identity of my constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh. The Brunton theatre in Musselburgh holds a special place in that town’s heart. How might last month’s announcement of Creative Scotland funding help to secure the future of the Brunton theatre? Angus Robertson: I pay tribute to Colin Beattie for the leadership that he has shown on the issue.”
“Having said that, there are rules to make sure that we get the maximum value in support of our screen sector in Scotland. Foysol Choudhury raised a very specific case, which has prompted me to hold meetings directly with Ofcom and the BBC to ensure that the rules, and the spirit of the rules, are upheld. I am delighted—as, I assume, Mr Choudhury is—that there is cross-party support for that. I hope that the BBC and Ofcom are listening very closely to what Foysol Choudhury has said and to what I have said. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There are a number of supplementary questions. I will try to take all of them, but they will need to be brief.”
“Foysol Choudhury: A recent report claimed that the BBC show “The Traitors” was classed as a Scottish commission despite most production staff being based outside Scotland. Such practices concentrate jobs in London and south-east England, forcing Scots to leave for better opportunities or to quit the industry entirely. Will the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government is incentivising production companies to choose Scotland, and will he update us on the discussions that he has had with stakeholders on the made-in-Scotland rules? Angus Robertson: I commend the content and tone of Foysol Choudhury’s question. We need to recognise that the direction of travel in relation to Scottish productions, especially for public service broadcasters, has been to increase their number, which is a good thing.”
“We are committed to the growth of our screen sector, with more Scotland-originated productions showcasing the incredible talent that we have in Scotland. We support Screen Scotland, our dedicated public agency for screen, through grant-in-aid funding. In 2025-26, we will increase its budget by £2 million to £11.25 million overall. That will allow it to continue its excellent work to nurture locally originated content, develop skills and training opportunities and education for the next generation, and increase inward investment. We continue to urge the public service broadcasters and Ofcom to ensure greater support for Scotland-based productions. I recently met Ofcom and the BBC to set out our clear expectations for fairer investment and representation in Scotland.”
“Having said that, I am deeply disappointed at the cut in overseas aid, which involves the lowest percentage of UK finance being spent on aid in a quarter of a century. Globally, we all need to step up to support the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our partner countries through international development and climate justice funding while responding to global humanitarian crises as a responsible, compassionate and good global citizen. Film and Television Production 2.”
“Maggie Chapman: Yesterday’s announcement by the United Kingdom Labour Government that it will slash its aid budget by £6 billion and spend that money on so-called defence is an outrage. More than 300 million people around the world are in dire humanitarian need right now. The UK’s colonial past creates a particular moral responsibility to those who are still paying the price of imperial exploitation, and we should not give money to those who profit from genocide. Does the cabinet secretary agree that now is the time to step up and tackle global poverty, conflict, insecurity and climate precarity, and will he commit to seeking new ways to use our public money for peace rather than war? Angus Robertson: I welcome the UK Government’s commitment to increased defence spending at a time of such acute need across Europe.”
“Through its humanitarian emergency fund, the Scottish Government continues to respond quickly and decisively to overwhelming humanitarian crises across the world by providing much-needed financial support that enables the operations of agencies and charity organisations in conflict regions to deliver services to reduce the threat to the lives and wellbeing of communities that are affected by conflict and persecution. The Scottish Government works with our standing humanitarian emergency fund panel and the Disasters Emergency Committee to ensure that the prioritisation of funding is based on urgent need and is established on the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality in support of peace in regions that are affected by conflict.”
“I will make sure that Mr Marra is updated on progress, but I hope that he appreciates the important additional funding allocations for Museums Galleries Scotland and the new £4 million culture and heritage capacity fund, and that he will vote for those in the budget process next week.”
“It does vital work in preserving Dundee’s key tourism landmarks, including RRS Discovery and the Verdant Works museum, and, importantly, my community’s heritage, for the next generation. Without the trust, Dundee City Council will be left with a very beautiful and very large old ship, but no one to care for it and no money to preserve it. Given that the budget for the organisation is being set today, will the cabinet secretary set out what he can do to give it some assurance that the Government can assist? Angus Robertson: Michael Marra makes powerful points that have been the subject of discussions with Dundee Heritage Trust, the leader of Dundee City Council, Mark Flynn, and the constituency MSPs and MPs.”
“I am aware of the challenges facing Dundee Heritage Trust, which is a very important organisation that is responsible for the RRS Discovery and the Verdant Works museum. I also recognise the challenges faced by heritage organisations across Scotland, which is why we are continuing to support the sector through the awarding of £4.2 million of funding in the draft 2025-26 budget to Museums Galleries Scotland and the development of a new £4 million culture and heritage capacity fund. We are continuing discussions with the trust and Dundee City Council with a view to the future. Michael Marra: I welcome the conversations that I know the cabinet secretary has had with Dundee Heritage Trust.”
“I believe that an alternative, workable system is easily achieved with political will and political imagination. We have the blueprint for a better system in the form of common frameworks. As has been noted, the UK Government itself proposed that common frameworks should be the principal means of managing regulatory divergence by agreement. However, the UK Government has yet to set out how that would be achieved. The IMA applies automatically in nearly every case, with almost no exceptions. What scope is there for sensible, evidence-based engagement when the act renders such engagement meaningless? What incentive is there to agree approaches that ensure regulatory coherence while respecting devolution when the act can simply nullify the effect of a devolved law? [Interruption.]”
“Sadly, it is the Scottish Labour Party that has given up on cross- party co-operation and it is Martin Whitfield who is prepared to accept the ruling out of his position, his party’s position, the Government’s position and the Parliament’s position. That is utterly beyond me. This point is the most baffling thing of all. Every member of the Parliament knows that, if one is having a review, it is not difficult to consider the broadest range of options. Why did Martin Whitfield’s colleagues in Westminster, including Douglas Alexander, decide that they were going to rule out his position and his own party’s position? It is utterly baffling. It would have cost nothing to do that and they should have done it, but they deliberately chose not to do it. I am sorry—that is not a reset.”
“Angus Robertson: I am happy to give way to the member so that he can explain why he has U- turned on his own position. Martin Whitfield: Is the tone, attitude, approach and view that is being taken in the cabinet secretary’s speech and the speeches of others conducive to a relationship with the UK Government that is productive, which is how I have heard the relationship described by members on the Government front bench? Angus Robertson: I say very gently to Martin Whitfield, who talked wistfully in his speech about the need for cross-party co-operation: we had it. We agreed. The Scottish Labour Party agreed with the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Alba. We agreed by a clear majority in the Parliament that the IMA should be repealed.”
“He wanted to hear a Scottish Government contribution to the consultation. It is simple: repeal the internal market act. That is the position of the Parliament and it was the position of his party. It is beyond me why he and the rest of his colleagues have done a U-turn. Foysol Choudhury was followed by Martin Whitfield, who made reference to a reset. I agree that a reset would be a tremendously good thing. However, I find it odd that his party thinks that a reset in the relationship can be brought about by the UK Government ignoring his position and the position of members on his front bench, and by his colleague, the representative for East Lothian in the UK Parliament, ignoring him on a matter such as this. Martin Whitfield: Will the cabinet secretary give way on that point?”
“Kenneth Gibson tutored those of us who do not appreciate the limits of devolution and those who choose to use the rhetoric of Scotland having one of the strongest devolved Parliaments in the world. One would no doubt fail one’s higher modern studies course if one were to write such a thing. Alex Rowley thinks that today’s debate is depressing, but he apparently does not find it depressing that his party’s position in the Scottish Parliament is being blocked by his own party at Westminster. I found that particularly baffling. Emma Roddick was right to point out that the IMA has impacts across the powers of devolution. It impacts on all the issues that Alex Rowley and others raised as being important. Foysol Choudhury seemed content with the wording of a UK consultation that rules out his own position on IMA repeal.”
“Willie Rennie was absolutely right to say that the IMA should be repealed. It is strange, then, that the UK Government ruled that out, despite that being the position of the Scottish Labour Party and MSPs across that side of the chamber. Incidentally, that is the position of five out of the six political parties in this Parliament. George Adam gave us a powerful reminder of the dangers of the internal market act, whereas Jackson Carlaw, in his usual interesting and enjoyable way, lamented about the workings of devolution. Perhaps, on reflection, he might also acknowledge that the internal market act drives a coach and horses through the devolution settlement.”
“The first point is that there is a misapprehension among some members of this Parliament, particularly those on the Conservative benches, who do not seem to understand that there are things known as common frameworks. Those are the basis of dealing with internal market issues. Common frameworks were introduced before the internal market act but they have never been allowed to work properly. That is why the internal market act is utterly and totally superfluous and dangerous. Neil Bibby’s Alice through the looking-glass logic welcomes a UK Labour Party review that rejects the position of his party in this Parliament. It is utterly baffling. Lorna Slater reminded members of how the internal market act has been used to overrule the Scottish Parliament without evidence, without justification and without democratic accountability.”