Stephen Gethins
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I return to the challenges in France—for example, Saint-Alban on the Rhône is having challenges because of the weather. Miles Briggs talked about parties getting entrenched. Yes, that can be the case, given that European security is such an important issue and the climate emergency is pivotal.”
“We all know that European energy security is vital, so why we are turning our back on the rest of Europe is beyond me. I want to touch on other points about Ukraine. The first point is on the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia and Chernobyl nuclear plants, which I am sure that we would all wholly condemn.”
“I also congratulate Lara Bird on her recent victory in a north-east constituency, where she managed to get five and a half times the size of majority that I had. Stephen Kerr made a point about dogma and decline, but I struggle to accept that from a parliamentarian who backed Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.”
“I put on the record my thanks to Liam Kerr for bringing this debate to the Parliament. We do not always agree, but the ability to debate and discuss—which we have heard in many of the speeches tonight—is valuable. I also thank other colleagues for their speeches. Liam Kerr started by reflecting on the opinion polls.”
“Liam Kerr: I am not Douglas Lumsden— perhaps regrettably—but I am very well informed about Hinkley Point C. The minister said earlier that there is a great cost to building it.”
“The expenses that come with that, along with clean-up costs, which cost billions, and the challenges— Stephen Kerr: Will the minister take an intervention on that point? Stephen Gethins: I will not at the moment—I am just coming on to the points that were made by my good colleague Stephen Kerr, who highlighted the European Union.”
The complete record
Every one of 48 lines we hold for Stephen Gethins, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Nuclear is wasteful and expensive, and given that we have so much potential in renewables, including exporting them, and there is such a massive market for our expertise and our resource, this Government continues to back that technology.”
“I thank the workers there who are conducting that work, but the plant closed in 1994, and work is due to go on there until the 2070s— and full decontamination will take another 300 years. Therefore, there is plenty of work going on there, but maybe not for all the reasons that we want. Secondly, just across the water, we see some issues around the west of Orkney in bringing those offshore wind farms on board, which David Green and his colleagues have highlighted. Hinkley took a long time—[Interruption.] I am going to conclude now. Hinkley was due to be completed in 2025, but we keep seeing that date going back. The case is straightforward: Scotland wants to be part of the solution in relation to European energy security.”
“I return to the challenges in France—for example, Saint-Alban on the Rhône is having challenges because of the weather. Miles Briggs talked about parties getting entrenched. Yes, that can be the case, given that European security is such an important issue and the climate emergency is pivotal. However, I am glad that the Conservatives at least acknowledge the climate emergency. Miles Briggs comes from a party that has seen £400 billion from our oil and gas industry, but we are one of the few countries not to have a future generations fund as a result of oil and gas. Then there is the energy profits levy, and the transmission network use of system charge is also having a significant impact. That takes me to David Green, whom I come to for two reasons. The first is the work on decommissioning at Dounreay, which he is right to highlight.”
“I also congratulate Lara Bird on her recent victory in a north-east constituency, where she managed to get five and a half times the size of majority that I had. Stephen Kerr made a point about dogma and decline, but I struggle to accept that from a parliamentarian who backed Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. We must look at the reality, which is that renewables are where our future lies. I want to reach as many members’ points as I possibly can. Paul Sweeney talked about the smaller plants, but they still have the same challenges with waste and cost. I point to France, which has nuclear plants that are struggling with weather constraints at the moment due to the heat. [Interruption.] I want to make progress, given the time, but I will try to swing back to the member later. Tim Eagle talked about Dounreay and also the weather.”
“Liam Kerr: I am not Douglas Lumsden— perhaps regrettably—but I am very well informed about Hinkley Point C. The minister said earlier that there is a great cost to building it. He will presumably acknowledge that the entire construction cost of Hinkley Point C is being met by EDF Energy, and that not a penny of it is being met by the UK taxpayer. Stephen Gethins: Costs are going up as a result of nuclear power. I also point to the delay, which, as Alan Brown rightly pointed out, is a challenge. I should have finished what I was about to say. Liam Kerr and I are both proud to be members of the Scottish Parliament for the north-east. I congratulate Douglas Lumsden, but I would love to see him do a bit more down in Westminster for the energy sector than his party has managed to do so far.”
“This speaks to David Green’s point, which I will shortly address more fully, but I should have said at the start of my speech that nuclear power has been a part of Scotland’s energy mix, but renewables are the future. I also put on the record my thanks to the workforce that has kept stations running. The Government values those workers, and they, too, deserve to have a just transition. I was in Aberdeen this morning—we are a leading energy nation, and we want to continue to be a leading energy nation. I again congratulate Douglas Lumsden on his victory in Aberdeen South, and I look forward to working with him. Liam Kerr: rose— Stephen Gethins: I suspect that Douglas Lumsden would be delighted for me to bring Liam Kerr in on that point.”
“The expenses that come with that, along with clean-up costs, which cost billions, and the challenges— Stephen Kerr: Will the minister take an intervention on that point? Stephen Gethins: I will not at the moment—I am just coming on to the points that were made by my good colleague Stephen Kerr, who highlighted the European Union. As he knows from being in the House of Commons at the same time as me during debates on that, different member states can have different views, and Scotland would have a lot more freedom to take a different view if it were an independent member of the European Union. Stephen Kerr also raised a point about apprentices. Only this morning, I launched the oil and gas transition training fund, along with colleagues in the UK Government, which is backing the fund.”
“We all know that European energy security is vital, so why we are turning our back on the rest of Europe is beyond me. I want to touch on other points about Ukraine. The first point is on the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia and Chernobyl nuclear plants, which I am sure that we would all wholly condemn. We all agree on that, and it is important to put that on the record. The other point relates to sanctions. Although the UK has sanctioned Rosatom’s subsidiary companies, we have not sanctioned Rosatom itself, which leads me to worry about our continued strategic vulnerability in that particular area. That is something that we should all be concerned about. Alan Brown made several good points, as we would expect. One was that nuclear power is not green. Hinkley Point C was meant to be built by 2017 but has now been delayed to 2030.”
“I put on the record my thanks to Liam Kerr for bringing this debate to the Parliament. We do not always agree, but the ability to debate and discuss—which we have heard in many of the speeches tonight—is valuable. I also thank other colleagues for their speeches. Liam Kerr started by reflecting on the opinion polls. I reflect on what people actually vote for, and a majority of members in the Parliament agree with the Government on this particular issue. There are big increases taking place in renewables, and thanks to the policies that this Government has put in place, Scotland is a massive exporter of electricity. I will go through some of the speeches—there were several of them—and I will start by picking up on something that Liam Kerr said. He talked about the war in Ukraine, which is one thing that we all agree on.”
“When it is resubmitted, we know exactly what it is going to say. It is going to say that it is going to use the worst-case scenario—”
“As the member knows, decisions on the consenting of individual offshore oil and gas fields are matters that are currently reserved to the United Kingdom Government. While I am on my feet, and as this is the first time that I have spoken in the chamber since the by- elections last week, I take the opportunity to congratulate Douglas Lumsden on his success and my own successor at Westminster, Lara Bird, on her success—and, frankly, on getting a much larger majority than I had. David Smith: This question has come up a few times and the answers are getting a bit boring now. The last time that the First Minister stood up, he made reference to the Finch judgment. The Finch judgment was thrown out on a technicality. They wanted the environmental case to take into account the downstream impacts of burning the hydrocarbons.”
“The question for us all is what we are prepared to do about it. I believe that Scotland’s future lies in restoring our place at the heart of Europe. That is the challenge of the next decade that the Parliament must meet with hope, clarity, and determination.”
“Thirdly, and most important, we must recognise that there is a limit to what can be achieved under the current constitutional framework. The UK’s 18th century model of union brought us to this place, and it is no longer fit for purpose—Brexit exposed its flaws. An alternative partnership model is being pursued by our neighbours—a 21st century model of union that is based on true respect and partnership between nations. The EU and the rest of Europe get and understand that. Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, we owe it to the people of Scotland, particularly younger generations, to speak honestly about what has happened. The conclusion is unavoidable: leaving the EU did not deliver what was promised; it left Scotland and the rest of the UK poorer, more isolated and less secure.”
“Energy is one example: Scotland is a massive exporter of energy, and it is very much part of the solution when it comes to pan-European energy security, a key concern in other European capitals. The UK Government must make the most of the forthcoming UK-EU summit and ensure that the negotiations deliver the fullest possible outcomes. We have made it clear to the UK Government that we seek further improvements, although I have to say that I am still unsure as to why it is sticking to its damaging red lines on the single market and customs union. It is an absolute mystery to me. Secondly, we must ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard. Too often, Scotland’s distinct interest and democratic choices are being sidelined. That cannot continue any more—we know how damaging it has been.”
“Every country that joined the EU got wealthier; its sovereignty was strengthened; and its citizens’ rights were enhanced. The reverse happened for the one state that left. Leaving the EU is a backward step as Europe moves closer together. It is almost inevitable that we will rejoin—it is simply a question of how much damage we sustain until that moment. So, where do we go from here? First, we will continue to press for the closest possible relationship between the UK and the EU. I am glad to have already discussed that with my counterpart in the UK Government, Nick Thomas-Symonds, and I am grateful to him for his collaboration and conversation. I have made it clear to him that both the EU and UK have much to gain from having a better relationship with the EU.”
“I ask the UK Government: where is the ambition, and where is the responsibility to individuals and businesses to reverse that damaging decision? The Scottish Government has published a series of policy papers that clearly set out our objectives for Scotland’s relationship with the EU in key areas that affect all our lives—trade, education and energy. The UK Government could change that, but it chooses not to, and we all pay the price for that inaction. There is, of course, a human dimension to all this. Leaving the EU has affected the families who have made their lives across borders and those European citizens who pay us the privilege of making Scotland home. I say to my fellow European citizens that I will continue to make the case for them every single day that I am in this job.”
“Leaving the EU was a bad idea 10 years ago, and it is a dangerous idea today. It has left the UK and, by extension, Scotland more isolated when the challenges that we face demand deeper partnership, not detachment. Although there has been a change in ideology from the most recent UK Government, I am afraid to say that it is still tinkering. Current efforts by the UK Government to rebuild relationships are welcome but are not enough. The UK Government’s own figures suggest that the deal that is being negotiated—it is far from certain to be delivered—will add only £9 billion to the economy by 2040, which is the equivalent of around 0.2 per cent of gross domestic product. By contrast, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that leaving the EU will have reduced GDP by at least 4 per cent, so the loss is 20 times greater.”
“Every political generation should leave more opportunity than they enjoyed—that should be a basic for us all in this chamber—but with the removal of the freedoms to live, learn and work across the European Union, we cannot say that. A British passport is now the most restrictive in western Europe. Although the personal and financial losses have been great, we must not lose sight of security considerations. We meet at a time of profound geopolitical instability. Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, shifting global alliances and threats to energy and food security all underline the importance of strong co-operation in Europe—the rest of Europe gets that. The EU is not simply an economic bloc; it is a community grounded in shared values such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, equality and freedom.”
“Public revenues in Scotland and the public services that depend on them were estimated to have lost around £3.3 billion in 2025 alone, based on research by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. In other words, more than £9 million was lost every day to public revenues in Scotland in 2025. The question must be this: can we really afford that any longer? The consequences for households have been profoundly damaging. Cost of living pressures have been exacerbated at a time when families can least afford it; there has been a £250 increase in food and drink bills due to leaving the EU, and UK households have collectively paid an extra £7 billion due to covering the extra cost of doing business outside the single market. There is a particular tragedy for our young people.”
“For businesses, leaving the EU introduced friction where there was once fluidity, barriers where there was access and uncertainty where there was stability. In November 2023, nearly 40 per cent of businesses in Scotland cited leaving the EU as the main cause of difficulties in trading overseas. UK- EU trade is estimated to be around a quarter lower in the long run than if the UK had remained in the EU, with non-tariff barriers with the EU being the main driver behind that shortfall. The agrifood sector, in particular, has struggled to export to the EU, which has led to a substantial and sustained loss in one of our most important sectors for exporting and, of course, employment.”
“In 2016, a motion by my predecessor, Michael Russell, that called for Scotland to remain in the single market was overwhelmingly backed with support from Scottish National Party, Scottish Labour and the Greens. To be fair, the Liberal Democrats did not back it but called for a second referendum. Instead, we got the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, with Westminster taking back control not just from Brussels but from Cardiff, Belfast and, of course, Edinburgh. EU membership had empowered devolved Administrations, but leaving the EU has left the UK more centralised than ever. We were told that leaving the European Union would bring new opportunities, greater prosperity, more control and a stronger voice. I will be generous and say that those comments were, at best, incorrect. Every sector was damaged.”
“No department or issue has been unaffected, from our national health service, with, for example, the exit from the European Medicines Agency; to agriculture, with the removal of access to the single market; to education and the tragic loss of opportunities for our young people. Members of the Scottish Parliament got that 10 years ago, and Parliament responded—across the chamber, to be fair—in a cohesive and responsible manner to an event that was neither of its making nor of its choosing. I know from first-hand experience that that was lacking at Westminster. Scotland did not vote to leave the EU, having overwhelmingly backed EU membership in a referendum—for the second time. Despite that, the Scottish Government consistently offered compromise to the UK.”
“Next week, astonishingly, marks the 10th anniversary of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union, which, I am sure we would all agree, was one of the most consequential moments in the history of this Parliament, the peoples of our shared islands and, of course, the rest of Europe. Ten years on, this Parliament must reflect with honesty, clarity and, above all, a sense of responsibility to those whose lives have been shaped by that decision. The vote and its aftermath have meant economic vandalism, social damage, cultural loss and a weakening of our international relationships at a time when co- operation across Europe has never been more important.”
“That is a source of frustration to me as much as it will be a source of frustration to Gillian Mackay. Public Procurement (Small Businesses, Social Enterprises and Local Supply Chains) 10.”
“During the previous parliamentary session, the Parliament passed a motion calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions in relation to Israel. We later found out that the Government has not even started work on that proposal. When might we see that package of measures coming forward? Stephen Gethins: I thank the member for raising the issue, including with the First Minister, and for the attention that she has given it. I am a great believer in the international rules-based system, which is under threat and is being undermined. Although we do not have the full range of powers that we would like—that is frustrating—we must adhere to that. I am perfectly willing to look at the matter in good faith, and I can write to the member. I wish that we had the full range of powers that we just do not have.”
“I am aware that Gillian Mackay has raised the issue previously. She will understand that the Scottish Government must comply with the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, which reserves national security, aviation and air transport, defence and foreign affairs to the United Kingdom Government. The Scottish Government has no power to ban flights from Scottish airspace or airports. Non-UK military flights using UK airspace need permission from the Ministry of Defence. Unfortunately, the Scottish Government is not provided with information on the purpose of military flights using Scottish airports, which is frustrating. Gillian Mackay: The US Government’s partner in this aggression is, of course, the Israeli Government, which has already been banned from using publicly owned Scottish infrastructure, including Prestwick airport.”
“For example, the First Minister had to write to the Prime Minister to ask for more detail and greater security co-operation in the areas in which we still, I am afraid, have to rely on the UK Government. This democratically elected Parliament has voted for those powers to be devolved, which I hope can provide part of the solution. Grant Schemes 7.”
“The betrayal of the workforce at Grangemouth and the false promises that were once made to them by Anas Sarwar have helped to put paid to that. Does the minister agree with Unite the Union, which has accused the UK Labour Government of “industrial vandalism” in allowing the Grangemouth refinery to close, when Scotland could have been producing its own green aviation fuel? Stephen Gethins: Martyn Day has for many years been a strong advocate for the people and industries in Grangemouth. Grangemouth is a prime location, and it has a highly skilled workforce for the development and production of sustainable aviation fuels. Scotland is part of the solution when it comes to our energy security. I said that the UK Government had been less than forthcoming.”
“The recent fuel supply issue that Glasgow and Edinburgh airports experienced was caused by a logistical issue. Although that has been swiftly rectified, I recognise the inconvenience that the disruption caused to passengers. We continually seek to engage with the UK Government regarding fuel security, as well as remaining in contact with key industry stakeholders. However, to be blunt, we need the UK Government to recognise Scotland’s potential and, sometimes, to be a bit more forthcoming on information sharing. Martyn Day: This issue underlines how precarious Scotland’s position on jet fuel supplies has become. Before its closure, Grangemouth refined jet fuel for the whole of Scotland, which gave us a measure of energy security.”
“Given Orkney’s vast potential—and the potential across the northern isles, as my colleague from Shetland, Hannah Mary Goodlad, will say—I would be very willing to engage with the member to ensure that Orkney, like elsewhere, is fulfilling its clear potential in renewables.”
“Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has confirmed that a new cable will be needed. Given the impact on my constituents, I hope that the minister will agree that the new cable should be consented as quickly as possible. Will he also agree to ensuring that the fibre within the cable is now used to provide long-overdue digital connectivity and resilience to the residents of North Ronaldsay? Stephen Gethins: I thank the member for the genuine work that he has done on this matter for years on behalf of his constituents. He will not expect me to comment on consents, nor would Mr McKee, who is sitting next to me.”
“Since my appointment as minister, I have undertaken introductory meetings across the energy sector. I am clear that the energy transition represents one of our greatest economic opportunities, and I know that the member champions it as well. I will continue to hold those meetings over the coming weeks and over the summer. The Scottish Government has supported Orkney’s ambitions for decarbonisation and electrification, including by providing £5 million to support the development of a harbour facility for the assembly of offshore wind turbines at Scapa Flow. Liam McArthur: I welcome the advances that the minister has made in his early days in the role. Earlier this year, the electricity cable serving North Ronaldsay, in Orkney, developed a fault that cannot be fixed.”
“However, I am glad that we are able to discuss reserved issues in this place as well. The question of energy security is one of the tests that we apply, as well as the climate, when considering the options. However, I have to say that it takes something of a brass neck for the Conservatives to come to the chamber and lecture anybody about the oil and gas industry, given the thousands of jobs that were lost on their watch.”
“It is reported today that, if the largest undeveloped oil and gas field in the UK, Rosebank, is given the go-ahead, it will generate £8.5 billion-worth of direct investment, £6.6 billion of which will be spent on UK businesses; it will support 2,000 jobs during its development alone; and it will help our energy security. The Scottish National Party has maintained a presumption against new oil and gas for years, and it was confirmed again by the Scottish Government on Politico this week. However, for the sake of energy security, for thousands of Scottish jobs, for the environment and for the economy, will the minister join me in demanding that Ed Miliband give Rosebank the green light? Stephen Gethins: The issue is, as the member knows, reserved to the Westminster Parliament.”
“The ongoing conflict in the middle east and Russia’s war in Ukraine have brought Scotland’s energy security into sharp focus. Our assessment remains that, on the information that is currently available to us, Scotland’s position in relation to energy security remains robust. However, despite that, as a responsible Government, we continue to monitor the current situation and prepare for any disruption. We are also continuing to pursue engagement with the United Kingdom Government to assess risks and share intelligence, to ensure that Scotland’s energy security remains resilient and to inform our planning. Liam Kerr: I would like to help the minister in that regard.”
“Jamie Langan: Does the minister recognise the serious challenges that the Scottish pig farming industry is currently facing as a result of the glut of Spanish pork imports depressing prices? Can he confirm what work the Scottish Government has undertaken with the UK Government to address those challenges? Stephen Gethins: I will write to the member more broadly on the specific issues, but I would set out the hit that consumers and businesses, including in agriculture, have taken from leaving the EU. That includes a Treasury hit of £90 billion less in tax revenues—that is £250 million being wasted every single day—and UK food exports to the EU at well below pre-Brexit levels. Brexit has been a disaster. It is the 10th anniversary of the referendum in a couple of weeks’ time, and I hope that the member’s party will reflect on that.”
“Previously, of course, it was not an either/or. When we were in the European Union, our farmers were able to benefit from free access to an EU market of 450 million consumers, with funding stability provided by the common agricultural policy and much more. Brexit, which the member’s party campaigned for and wanted, was a costly mistake, and our agri- food industry has suffered as a result. The United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, far from helping to ensure a functioning domestic market, is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty. We strongly support a closer relationship with the EU, including on agri-food, to help businesses to access the EU market in order to expand consumer choice and sustain Scotland’s agri-food sector. The best way to do that is, of course, with independence.”
“That includes maximising the recovery of heat from various sources that currently goes unused. If the member writes to me with the people he would like me to meet, I would be delighted to meet them, after which the Scottish Government can consider their findings. Prison Estate (Staffing Pressures) 2.”
“It has been identified that the cost and complexities of consenting are adding almost a year to the project delivery timescales and up to 20 per cent to the cost of the innovative technology. Will the Scottish Government commit to reviewing the current fragmented consenting process for small-scale water source heat projects, where a single installation may require permissions from multiple authorities, despite supporting Scotland’s net zero and affordable heat objectives? Will the minister meet partners of the FORTH2O sustainable heat project to discuss the matter further? Stephen Gethins: I thank Mr Barratt for his question and for his engagement on the matter. The project is important as we transition to a net zero economy. It will become increasingly important that we use resources efficiently.”
“I thank Mr Barratt for his question and acknowledge the expertise that he brings to the chamber on the issue, which will enrich our discussions and debates. The Scottish Government aims to capitalise on the thermal energy that is found in a range of sources, so that it can be distributed to homes and businesses through heat networks at an affordable cost. We have developed detailed guidance with the United Kingdom Government to support all parties with that, and it will be published shortly. David Barratt: Research suggests that there is a near limitless supply of heat available from our coastal waters. That is being explored by the FORTH20 sustainable heat project, which is a partnership between SeaWarm, the University of Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council and Fife Council.”
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“At column 20, paragraph 3— Original text— Renewables alone deliver 20.8 terawatt hours outside of Scotland annually. To put it into context, that net export is worth £1.7 billion and, if we kept the energy in Scotland, it would be enough to power every home in Scotland for three and a half years. Corrected text— Net electricity exports were 20.8 terawatt hours in 2025. To put it into context, that net export has an indicative value of £1.7 billion and, if we kept the energy in Scotland, it would be enough to power the equivalent of every home in Scotland for around three and a half years. This is a draft Official Report and is subject to correction between publication and archiving, which will take place no later than 35 working days after the date of the meeting.”
“Are they better being made here, in Scotland’s Parliament, which is voted on by the people who live and work in Scotland, or at Westminster? Whatever our views, surely Scotland’s energy policies should be in Scotland’s hands. It is one of the most energy-rich countries in Europe, having won the natural lottery twice— once with hydrocarbons and then with its abundant renewables resources. Yet, despite that—”
“I will miss the parts of the constituency that my colleagues Heather Anderson and Lloyd Melville are now fortunate enough to represent, but I am absolutely determined to get stuck in for Dundee. Dundee is Scotland’s “Yes” city. It is a city that my family once migrated to from Ireland. It is a city that, like the rest of Scotland, is at its best because of its diversity and its outward-looking nature, which enriches our industries and our society. The city informs my politics, as I know that it does for other colleagues in the Parliament. Dundee is a city that has been at the heart of Scotland’s successes in food and drink, higher education, journalism and, of course, energy, which moves us to the fundamental point of today’s debate. We are debating where decisions should be made.”
“I want to say straight off that it is my aim—the First Minister said this about his role, too—to work in a collegiate fashion: to agree where we possibly can and to disagree rigorously. I am sure that there will be opportunities for disagreement, but we must do so agreeably when we cannot agree. No party or MSP has a monopoly on wisdom— certainly not me—and I very much look forward to working with everybody in this chamber. I am so grateful for the good wishes that I have received from colleagues from other parties. I will not embarrass you, but it has been heartening, and I thank you. Nobody will mind me saying that, most of all, I thank the people of Dundee City East for their faith in me. I also thank people in Dundee and Angus for the privilege of serving as their member of Parliament.”
“Deputy Presiding Officer, congratulations to you and your colleagues on your appointment. If you will permit me, before I get into the meat of the debate, I thank my predecessor in Dundee City East, Shona Robison, who was not only an outstanding minister, as I am sure the First Minister will agree, but a tireless advocate for Dundee. I know that she will be greatly missed in the Parliament. I also thank my predecessors in this portfolio, Gillian Martin, who is here with me today, and Angus Robertson, not only for their tireless work in the portfolios that I cover but—I am not embarrassed to say—for their guidance and valuable advice in my first days in the post. I thank colleagues from across the Parliament for their good wishes.”
“I, Stephen Patrick Gethins, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”