Christine Grahame
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding whether any of the support announced in response to the increased cost of heating oil will help the agriculture sector and other rural industries in Scotland that are dependent on that fuel. (S6O- 05695)”
“At a recent First Minister’s question time, I raised the matter of the successful prosecution against the Hamiltons, who are part of the cruel puppy- farm trade. That case was concluded after a five- year investigation by the SSPCA that started when 33 puppies were found in dreadful conditions.”
“Of course, some can go online or use an app, but there will be many who cannot, and for them, it is essential that they speak to a real person at the bank, not a chatbot. Therefore, I would impress upon the Bank of Scotland the need for it to take up my suggestion of reintroducing mobile services, which I understand it abandoned in 2024.”
“My first prize at school was for an essay on animal welfare, but being a vet was out of reach for a girl from a council house scheme. However, I got to the right place at last, chairing the cross- party group on animal welfare for more than a decade, with two acts of Parliament—the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Welfare of Do…”
“I made my first speech in June 1999, and one Mary Scanlon, a Conservative, broke my peroration—I thought that I was doing rather well—with a point of order that challenged the relevance of my contribution to the motion. I was devastated, but I ploughed on.”
“The Scottish Sentencing Council is developing guidelines for environmental and wildlife crime, but companion and farm animal welfare cases, which make up the vast majority of investigations, are not included.”
The complete record
Every one of 727 lines we hold for Christine Grahame, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 15.
“This is the first time in my 25 years in the Parliament that Tourette’s has been discussed. I thank the member for securing the debate in the chamber, and I welcome those in the gallery who are listening to this significant—I would add milestone—debate on Tourette’s. The main symptom of the syndrome is tics, which can be vocal or motor. They can include whistling, sniffing or clearing your throat, repeating a sound or phrase and occasionally swearing. A person cannot control them—they just happen. The syndrome usually develops in early childhood, and it is even estimated that one in every 100 Scots has Tourette’s. Sometimes it is so mild that it cannot be identified. There is no known cure, but the condition can be managed.”
“We continue to work towards delivering our commitment to ban the sale of horticultural peat, and we are currently exploring all legislative options for establishing new restrictions. I hope that that gives Christine Grahame some reassurance, but I would be happy to engage further on that question.”
“In Midlothian, peat is still being extracted. It is dug up commercially through a licence under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which requires only 50-year periodic reviews of licences for mineral permissions. The issue is one that I have pursued for some time. Given that it seems bizarre and even counterproductive for that legislation to allow peat extraction to take place over 50-year periods while the Scottish Government is pledging to restore peat, will the Government undertake to review it? The First Minister: I hope that it gives Christine Grahame some reassurance to learn that national planning framework 4 includes provision whereby development proposals for new commercial peat extraction, including extensions to existing sites, are not supported, except in relation to use in the whisky industry.”
“The Presiding Officer: Under standing orders, it is the case that this particular item of business can be used for members to call for items of business that they wish to see in a future programme of the Parliament. Motion agreed to. Parliamentary Bureau Motions 17:19”
“Go away! Stephen Kerr: Presiding Officer, Scottish National Party members are shouting, “Go away!” That is exactly what the SNP would like: they want every Opposition MSP to just go away and let them have their playtime to themselves— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear Mr Kerr. Stephen Kerr: I was elected here—as we all were—to represent constituents’ interests. I ask whether it is in order for individual members of the Parliament, regardless of their party, to seek statements from ministers on matters that pertain to the welfare and interests of their constituents. Is it the case that I, as an individual member of the Parliament, have the right to do so?”
“There are professionals and charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now, community nursing teams, general practitioners and specialists, and even Citizens Advice can help with benefits and other financial or legal issues. It is bad enough coping with the disease without money worries. I thank my colleague for securing the motion for this sensitive debate in the chamber and for the opportunity that we have had to remember our colleague. As we are, she would, at the very least, have been looking to improve treatments and slow the progress of the disease while seeking a cure, and she would have urged there to be better access to support and care, all of which require, as colleagues have said, better and accurate data. 18:06”
“Within a few years, she had coped with breast cancer, rung the bell and got back to her smiley, stylish self—her hair had grown back—only to find that this cruel disease had returned. Christina was unlucky, if I may put it like that, but she tried many treatments. That said, many people live long, productive lives with stage 4 breast cancer, with a variety of treatment options and new medicines being tested every day. If one treatment stops working, there is almost always another one to try. Support is key at any time, but perhaps especially when cancer returns, after all the treatment, side effects, hair loss and remission—it is cruel. I hope that many have support from family and friends, as Christina had, particularly in her partner, Keith Brown. However, the family, too, will need support.”
“She was also told then that she was in remission, and back came the old cheery, breezy Christina—her worry, her fears and her tears, she kept to herself and her nearest and dearest. In June 2022, when the breast cancer charity moonwalk event was held in Edinburgh for the first time in three years, she participated as part of a cross-party team of women and also sponsored the wear it pink campaign. However, last year, Christina was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and went on leave in August 2024 to focus on her treatment. I remember her coming shortly before that to tell a wee group of us, with our coffee, that they had found a large lump on her neck. We feared for her but, of course, said nothing, because there was nothing to be said. She died earlier this year, aged only 57.”
“I congratulate the member and colleagues on their contributions to date, but it would not be possible to contribute without speaking of our late colleague Christina McKelvie, who died earlier this year from metastatic breast cancer. That cancer spreads to another part of the body when cells break away from the original tumours in the breast and travel to other parts of the body. It can come back months or years after the original diagnosis and treatment, and almost 30 per cent of women who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer develop metastatic disease. I understand that Christina attended a breast screening programme in December 2020. In February 2021, she announced a short medical leave, and another short period of leave followed in September, after which she told us that she had completed treatment for breast cancer.”
“More of such flood protection is done upstream these days. From Penkiln to Cree to Tweed, I confess that, for me, there is a romance about rivers. They dictated where we live today, what industries we once had and those that we have now. I am with Mr Sweeney: rivers should have rights, if that does not sound a bit strange. Again, I thank my colleague Audrey Nicoll for giving me the opportunity to praise rivers and speak about their protection. I cannot have too many debates about rivers. 13:19”
“However, the Tweed, like other rivers, faces pressures from diffuse agricultural pollution, invasive non-native species and river bank erosion. Protection and restoration are delivered through co-ordinated catchment management plans under the water framework directive, local action plans, the Scottish Borders habitat action plan and SEPA’s Tweed area management plan. Those provide key policy frameworks to protect water quality and habitats. Flood protection is major. Although sandbanks have not quite been consigned to a superfluous sandbank pile, other more creative methods are being implemented. I reference, as I have done before, the Eddleston Water project, which, by making it wind and through suitable waterside planting, has methodically changed the direction of the water and slowed Eddleston Water’s flow onwards to join the Tweed.”
“The Tweed flows 97 miles to the North Sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed, forming part of the boundary between Scotland and England. It travels in my constituency through Peebles, Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Galashiels. It is one of the most ecologically important rivers in the United Kingdom, supporting Atlantic salmon, otter, lamprey and water crowfoot vegetation. Much of the catchment is designated as an area of special conservation and a site of special scientific interest. To this day, even though textile industries, which once perched precariously on its banks, have all but disappeared, it still supports local economies including angling, tourism and agriculture. Of course, it is central to the entire cultural identity of the Borders.”
“I saw kingfishers and herons, and I encountered Japanese knotweed for the first time, which was not at that time considered to be an ecological predator. My love affair with rivers was born then and continues today with the grand old lady: the River Tweed. I even made a point—you might call it a pilgrimage—of going to where it is reckoned the Tweed has its source, which is high above Tweedsmuir, inconspicuous and with not a hint of the grandeur to come. Our villages and towns have naturally grown around rivers—back then, the rivers were their dual carriageways—but their source of power must not be taken for granted. Two issues that require our attention are pollution—deliberate and casual—and the real and recurring threat of floods where floods did not occur before. We have come to realise that, and not before time.”
“It will not surprise you, Deputy Presiding Officer, that, apart from congratulating my colleague Audrey Nicoll on securing the debate, most of my speech will be dedicated to the River Tweed and its tributaries. First, however, I will take a wee detour to Galloway—to Rose cottage in Minnigaff. It is where I lived for more than a decade, with two rivers right at the bottom of my garden: the Penkiln and, just beyond it, the Cree. My early experience with rivers was close and observed, with the salmon run in the Cree—the poachers gaffing the fish at night—and the brown trout in the Penkiln when their dorsal fins were exposed to the air because the summer had reduced the river to a wee stream. I saw scary flooding when the two rivers and the mill that lay beyond merged into a sea, with Rose cottage’s garden disappearing below the muddy waters.”
“To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the implementation of the proposed scheme for the renovation of military homes in Scotland. (S6F-04415)”
“It is a bit rich for us to hear about economics from the party that brought us Liz Truss. The issue of the potential closure of leisure facilities is entirely a matter for the Tory-led council in the Borders. At its meeting this week, the council was supposed to review those issues, but it has postponed that process until 10 November. Does the cabinet secretary agree that that is dreadful and that it increases the anxiety of all the workers and the people who rely on the facilities? Shona Robison: Yes, I do. We provided Scottish Borders Council with an additional 6.2 per cent compared with 2024-25, which was higher than the average increase for local authorities. The member makes a number of very good points, and I would be happy to meet her to discuss the matter further, if she so wishes.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had a similar situation to Bill Kidd. My phone would not connect for the vote. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ms Grahame— Christine Grahame: Postscript: I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Grahame. Your vote will be recorded.”
“Again, I congratulate Mr Golden and wish him well as the bill moves—as I am sure it will—to stage 2, where I might well meet him and some others. It appears that there will be a crowded field. I support the bill’s general principles. I note other comments that have been made. We need a consolidating bill that takes in all the dog welfare legislation that we have made. There is nothing worse for a lawyer—I am a former lawyer—than having to pick our way through separate little bits of legislation. Let us have a consolidation bill in the next session of Parliament. 16:08”
“I have no problems with that, because I am retiring next year—I am free. However, like the committee, I do not support the requirement for a victim statement about the effect of the crime on the victim. Such statements are not mandatory in other theft offences, but the court has the flexibility and discretion to permit a victim statement. I like the word “discretion” in relation to court. I do not support annual reporting. It is the province of parliamentary committees to make space for post-legislative scrutiny. There has been an argument for a long time that we should have a committee that simply does post-legislative scrutiny. I support the theft of a dog or puppy being recorded by the police as a specific category of offence. Facts give us power.”
“They require consistent training and care to thrive in their roles. They include sheep dogs, sniffer dogs for drugs and explosives, cadaver dogs to detect buried corpses, and dogs that are trained to locate the living. Although they have an added value, for reasons that members will understand, I suspect that stealing a police dog might be a bit of a challenge for a thief. Finlay Carson: Given Ms Grahame’s experience of dog legislation, why does she believe that the Government is reluctant for working dogs to be included in the bill? The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, Ms Grahame. Christine Grahame: It is up to us to persuade the Government. I am sure that, between us and the member in charge of the bill, we might make progress. I just put that down as a marker.”
“I notice that the purpose of the bill is, inter alia, “to create an offence of dog theft” and “to provide for a statutory aggravation of that offence”. There is nothing to prohibit the inclusion of working dogs in that purpose. I was minded to propose that at stage 2, but I think that other members will do so before I get to the starting gate. I remind members that, if that requires additional evidence, that can be taken at stage 2. It would mean adding a new section, but, as I have said, it would be competent within the purpose of the bill. We know what a pet dog is, we know what an assistance dog is and we should know what a working dog is. Those are dogs that are bred and trained for a specific purpose and that perform tasks to assist humans in various roles. They possess key traits, such as intelligence, loyalty and alertness.”
“I note that the bill has been introduced in the context of a rise in the levels of dog theft since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, when demand far outstretched supply and there was growing evidence of systematic dog theft through organised crime. I thoroughly agree with dog theft being a stand-alone offence and, indeed, with there being a statutory aggravation if the theft is of an assistance dog, although I would include working dogs in that, and I note that the committee was of the same view. I met the issue about the definition of working dogs during the passage of the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, but I am certain that that issue is not insurmountable, because we all know a working dog when we see one.”
“I congratulate my colleague on his persistence in bringing forward the bill—I know what it takes. We have come a long way from when we, as the highest animal species, failed to recognise that animals are sentient beings, although dogs throughout the centuries could attest to the fact that the similarity between the words “dog” and “friend” is by no means an accident. My late Irish setter, Roostie, was my best comfort when times were tough. She taught my sons much about being respectful to animals and, as she toasted herself by the fire, she let them use her as a pillow. I miss her to this day.”
“I have had representations made to me that I am wasting my time standing here, but I do not believe that I am. We have had representations from people across the country, including from numerous MSPs, who have said that they have a problem with gulls, which is why I have addressed the issue. I hope that we will find solutions.”
“Gulls are indeed a nuisance, but there will be gulls only where there is easy food, which is often supplied by our own throwaway waste. No food, no urban gulls—that is it. Will the minister confirm that, even after gull questions and a gull summit, it was the Tories— who opposed us talking about Gaza—who insisted on taking up more precious parliamentary time talking about gulls? Given that there are folk who will not be able to afford food or heating this winter, will this be the last time that we use our valuable parliamentary time talking about gulls? It is making a mockery of this place. Jim Fairlie: It is not me who decides what the business is in this place—it is the business bureau that does that. However, I take on board Christine Grahame’s point.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place to support people in hospitals and care settings who have serious spinal injuries resulting in paralysis from the neck down. (S6O-05006)”
“We will continue to listen to and work with the industry and key stakeholders on how best to achieve improvements in animal welfare, as well as monitoring industry information to allow us to determine how to ensure that best practice is delivered. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, minister—I am not entirely sure that that related to the question in the Business Bulletin. We move to a supplementary from Mr Halcro Johnston; I hope that this might be closer to the mark.”
“I know that the minister recently had a meeting on farrowing crates. Would he consider using rural payments to support animal welfare improvements such as transitioning from farrowing crates to free farrowing? The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question in the Business Bulletin relates to the publicly available nature of the information on whatever the farming payments are made to promote. With that in mind, minister, please respond to Ms Grahame. Jim Fairlie: Certainly, Deputy Presiding Officer. As the member has just talked about, I recently stated, at the alternative farrowing systems round- table discussion that I chaired in Parliament, that, once a definitive direction as to what will replace farrowing crates is determined, we will consider what options are available.”
“Otherwise, if a person dies in circumstances in which they could become a donor and have not recorded a donation decision—either to agree or to reject—it will be assumed that they are willing to donate their organs for transplantation. Even then, a person’s family will always be asked about their latest views on donation to ensure that it would not proceed if that was against their wishes.”
“The Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Act 2019 was passed in July 2019. It provides for a deemed authorisation, or opt-out, system of organ donation for transplantation. It applies to most adults aged 16 and over who are resident in Scotland, but it does not apply to everyone. There are exemptions: adults without capacity to understand the law, adults who have lived in Scotland for fewer than 12 months before their death and children under the age of 16. If a person in one of those groups dies in a way that means that they could donate, their closest family member will be asked whether they wish to authorise donation.”
“I thank all of the members who signed the motion to allow the debate to proceed, the people who are manning the exhibition in the lobby this week and those who are attending in the public gallery, including members of the transplant team, health professionals and, in particular, Audrey Cameron, a donor’s mother, about whom I will say more later. I also thank those who have remained in the chamber after a very long week because of late sittings. My contribution extends only to transplants following a death. Talking about death is always a difficult topic in any circumstance. One might say that it is grisly, and we in the western world prefer to avoid it. However, one death can save a life or allow a better life to someone else, and sometimes to many strangers. Let me first set out the legislative background.”
“Has the Labour Government’s increase in employer national insurance contributions had an impact on the delivery of free personal care? Tom Arthur: Regrettably, it has. Since the start of the year, the sector has been making clear the costs that will be incurred as a consequence of the United Kingdom Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions. The move will have a material impact, and we estimate that it will cost the sector more than £80 million this year. It is, of course, further compounded by the UK Labour Government’s decision to restrict international visas for care workers. The decision has been roundly condemned by those operating in the sector, and I urge the UK Government to reverse its course. Ophthalmology (NHS Orkney) 4.”
“If Ms Grahame is willing to write to me following the statement with the details of the issue that she raises, I can certainly consider them.”
“Having supported the bill at stage 1, subject to the caveats that I emphasised on both capital and revenue funding, I am pleased that it will now progress to stage 2. We know that those issues will not be easy to resolve. Will Broomlee outdoor education centre in West Linton, in my constituency, which I have visited often, be a consultee? I have huge regard for the facility and its staff and would hope for an extended future for it, which could perhaps include provision for children with ASN in the Borders, which is much needed. Natalie Don-Innes: Although I am not aware of the specifics around Ms Grahame’s contribution, I have been clear to Mr Briggs and other members that it would be helpful to be able to draw on good practice and examples.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding different funding models that may be available to finance the building of social housing, in light of the approach adopted by Falkirk Council which awarded Hearthstone Investments £30 million through its local government pension scheme fund to invest in social and affordable housing in 2015. (S6O-04975)”
“My understanding is that the impact of that on the third sector in Scotland will be around £75 million. The Scottish SPCA, which Christine Grahame mentioned, is part of that—it is also suffering from those challenges. That is exactly why I said in my first answer that we in the Scottish Government will do what we can and work with the third sector. That other arm of Government must do the same and must respond to the criticism that it has quite rightly received for the very difficult circumstances in which it has placed the third sector. Commission on School Reform (Recommendation) 2.”
“Is not the real story here the increase in national insurance contributions for employers? As an example—I declare an interest as a member of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals— that increase will cost the Scottish SPCA £400,000 extra every year. Is that not the real story of why charities are in such difficulties? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Christine Grahame is absolutely right to point out the challenge that third sector organisations faced when they were, quite frankly, blindsided by the UK Government. Only a matter of days after many third sector organisations were invited to Downing Street to discuss a covenant and an agreement with the third sector, they found out about the increase in employer national insurance contributions.”
“Rape Crisis Scotland and Victim Support Scotland have stressed that survivors do not see the system as being in separate parts, but as one long process. We owe it to them and to the people they support to keep going until our justice system is worthy of the name. For the Scottish Greens, this is about principle. Justice is not only about verdicts; it is about reducing harm, restoring dignity and preventing further violence. That is why we support the bill, and it is why we will continue to press for more restorative approaches where appropriate, for prevention and for survivor-centred practice in every corner of the system. Let us pass the bill today, not as the end point but as the beginning of a transformation in how Scotland delivers justice. Survivors deserve nothing less. 16:08”
“The Lord Advocate and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service must play their part by ensuring that decisions are explained clearly and respectfully and that the pursuit of justice does not add to survivors’ pain. Christine Grahame: Thank you for taking an intervention; I know that your time is constricted. Is there a place in our education system—in schools—for education on the general legal process and juries, including what a jury is and is not? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair. Maggie Chapman: Absolutely—education for all of us about the legal system and our criminal justice system is imperative. After we pass the bill today, our third sector partners will continue to hold us to account—and rightly so.”
“We need all survivors to have access to legal advice and representation for as long as they need it. We need our criminal and civil justice systems to be better connected, to talk to each other and to ensure that women and children are not used as pawns in someone else’s game. We need the reforms that we will deliver on paper today to translate into meaningful change in people’s lives. Survivors deserve more than symbolic progress. We must also guard against complacency. Passing the bill is not the end of the journey. Trauma-informed practice is not achieved by statute alone; it must be embedded in training, in scheduling and in the culture of our courts.”
“Their message has been consistent—our current system is not working well. Survivors face long delays, hostile environments and retraumatising procedures. Change is not only desirable; it is imperative. The bill is a step towards that change. The statutory duty of trauma-informed practice, new protections for complainers, reforms to victim notification and the introduction of independent legal representation are important and welcome. Survivors have called for those measures, which can rebuild confidence in the justice system. However, we must also be honest about where we are falling short, as others have said. The Greens have been clear that we need stronger guarantees of early and consistent support for survivors, and not just the possibility of referral but the expectation of it.”
“It was the most degrading experience I have been through.” “You are made to feel as if you are a bit of evidence that just gets put on a shelf and is brought out when you are needed and you are just disregarded afterwards.” As we close the debate, I return to the people who are at the heart of it—those who have survived sexual violence, those who have stood as witnesses in court and those who have too often been revictimised by the very system that is meant to protect them. Their words should be in our minds this afternoon. Throughout the bill process, we have heard the evidence from Lady Dorrian’s review, from the Lord Advocate and from those who are on the front line of support, including Rape Crisis Scotland, Victim Support Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid and many others.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to closing speeches. 16:04 Maggie Chapman: Presiding Officer, “We are treated like outsiders throughout the whole process.” “I was told by a police detective that I wasn’t raped—it was consensual.” “When you are on the witness stand you should not be made to feel embarrassed, humiliated or undermined by someone.” “In our court system you are totally humiliated.”
“The test that is applicable across summary and solemn proceedings is still that the Crown has to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The onus is on the Crown. Not proven meant that there was still a reasonable doubt, but that now transfers seamlessly to not guilty considerations. Some campaigning organisations may believe that that, together with the change to jury size, makes convictions more likely, and I understand why, but in my view, it will not, and at best it may be neutral. As the not proven verdict is consigned to history, I have marked down my reservations, and I sincerely hope that my concerns about unintended consequences do not come to pass. Despite those concerns and reservations, I will support the bill at decision time, but I will watch how it works in practice.”
“I congratulate all who are engaged in the bill, but I also consider that to allocate just over one hour to debate these radical changes to the delivery and pursuit of our criminal law is misplaced. I shall make just a few remarks. Steps to better steer witnesses through the court process with compassion must be welcomed. I am not convinced of the need for specialist sexual offences courts. I pose this question. An individual is indicted for robbery, assault with a threat to life and sexual assault, and there are three different victims—in which court should that case be held? The changes in the majority required and in the size of juries seem to me untried. The removal of the not proven verdict may make convictions more difficult, whether before a sheriff sitting alone or before a jury.”
“I hope that abolishing the not proven verdict will not disappoint victims—especially those against whom there have been serious crimes and who may think that a conviction is more likely. I do not think that that necessarily follows. Controversially, too, the not proven verdict has been described as being unjust to the accused and to victims. My story is that I was a victim and the main witness in a summary trial in which the Crown pursued a conviction against a constituent who had intimidated and harassed me for years. In my view, there was sufficient evidence for a guilty verdict, but, to my astonishment, the verdict was “not proven”. At first, I was furious. However, on reflection, I must say that I prefer that to “not guilty”. I have lost the argument on not proven, not guilty and guilty—the three verdicts have gone.”
“I am teaching my granny to suck eggs, but “not proven” means that the Crown has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt—the onus being on the Crown, with its evidence, to establish its case. To me, it follows that “not guilty” meets the same test—that the Crown’s case is not beyond reasonable doubt. Doubt in the mind of a sufficient number of jurors must lead, rightly, to a not guilty verdict. I therefore do not necessarily see an increase in convictions—bearing in mind, too, that, although much of the bill rightly focuses on sexual offences, those radical changes will apply across most crimes and whether there is a jury or a sheriff sitting alone.”
“I thank Pauline McNeill for lodging amendment 157, because we are faced with one of the most radical parts of the bill and, as she has, rightly, said, because it is not subject to an amendment, we would have had no opportunity to discuss it. We are changing the not proven verdict, removing it from most criminal proceedings, both solemn and summary. My concern is that there appears to be a presumption that abolishing the not proven verdict, with changes to the jury majority—we do not quite know how those will interact—will lead to more convictions. I am not saying that that is the purpose, but there is a presumption that it will happen. I do not think that that presumption can be made.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am in the same position: my app would not refresh. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: We will ensure that your vote is recorded.”
“Removing peak fares will save someone travelling from Tweedbank to Edinburgh at least £7 a day, so there will be more bums on seats. Kids for a quid is another excellent initiative. The railway is about so much more: it concerns the wider economy and the social fabric of communities. The Borders railway has not just pioneered how to build a railway; it has shown what the economic and social benefits of a railway are. Its extension through Hawick to Carlisle will complete that social and economic journey, and it is living proof for other future railway developments. 16:32”