Zen Ghani
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I declare my interest: I am an elected councillor on Glasgow City Council. I congratulate you, Deputy Presiding Officer, on your election, and Ivan McKee on his appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform.”
“Whether members support independence or support Scotland remaining part of the UK, it is clear from the first few weeks of this parliamentary session that there is more that unites us than divides us.”
“However, this honour would not have been achieved without the hard work of the activists who dedicated their time to speaking to residents across the constituency. My thanks go out to every one of them.”
“That spirit is reflected in many organisations including the Southwest Arts and Music Project— SWAMP—the Village Storytelling Centre, Home- Start Glasgow South, Barlia football centre and Threehills community supermarket. Those are all vital community resources and make Cathcart and Pollok what it is today.”
“He consistently went above and beyond to secure positive outcomes for the people of Cathcart. Secondly, Humza Yousaf served the people of Glasgow Pollok with passion. Not only was he a committed local MSP but, as we all know, he served this country with dedication in government and in his time as First Minister.”
“I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement and the manifesto commitment to an independent report on the maternal mortality that is faced by Scotland’s black and Asian communities. It is essential that communities that face systemic barriers and bias are properly supported to ensure the best outcomes for everyone in Scotland.”
The complete record
Every one of 17 lines we hold for Zen Ghani, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“I declare an interest as an elected member of Glasgow City Council. To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken to achieve a near-record 93.5 per cent of school leavers heading into positive destinations in 2024-25. (S7O-00125)”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its 2025 pledge to provide 150,000 additional national health service appointments and procedures. (S7O-00087)”
“Technologies such as artificial intelligence have the potential to reduce administrative burdens, to support our workforce and to improve the delivery of public services. Using AI effectively will help us to ensure that public services are more responsive, efficient and accessible for the people we serve. I know that progress is what many of my constituents want, and I am sure that it is what many other members’ constituents want, too. I ask members to support the motion, please, so that we can ensure that our public services are fit for the future. 16:23”
“Whether members support independence or support Scotland remaining part of the UK, it is clear from the first few weeks of this parliamentary session that there is more that unites us than divides us. That brings me to today’s debate on reforming our public services and ensuring that our constituents get the best services possible in modern-day Scotland. The SNP is committed to reforming our public services so that they can meet the challenges of the day and of the future. We have all seen from events in recent years that the world is moving at a much quicker pace than ever before. Every month, across the world, new technologies and innovative ideas come into force, and if we are to ensure that our various public bodies can meet the needs of the future, it is vital that we embrace such reform as a united Parliament.”
“However, this honour would not have been achieved without the hard work of the activists who dedicated their time to speaking to residents across the constituency. My thanks go out to every one of them. I would also like to mention one person in particular who inspired me to get involved in politics and who always challenged my thinking on topics—my former modern studies teacher Thomas Donnelly. It is surreal to have gone from watching First Minister’s question time and parliamentary debates in modern studies classes in 2018 to finding myself sitting in this chamber, and I will use this opportunity every day to deliver the change that people in Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok, and across Scotland, expect. We were all elected to serve the people of Scotland and to improve their lives and the services that they use.”
“When my grandparents came to Scotland in the 1950s and built their lives, first in Stornoway and later in Tarbert on the Isle of Harris, they arrived with little more than hope, the ability to work hard and a determination to build a better future for their family. They could never have imagined that one day their grandson would take a seat in our national Parliament. Their story is not unique. It is the story of so many families across Scotland who worked hard, contributed to their communities and wanted their children and grandchildren to have opportunities that they never had. I am proud to stand here today because of the sacrifices that my grandparents made and the values that they passed on to me.”
“That spirit is reflected in many organisations including the Southwest Arts and Music Project— SWAMP—the Village Storytelling Centre, Home- Start Glasgow South, Barlia football centre and Threehills community supermarket. Those are all vital community resources and make Cathcart and Pollok what it is today. My constituency includes places such as Castlemilk, a community that has produced generations of talented footballers who have gone on to represent Scotland on the world stage, Carmunnock, Glasgow’s only remaining village, and Nitshill, which has a rich history in coal mining. It also includes the two biggest parks in the city, Linn park and Pollok country park, with the latter being home to Highland cows and the world- famous Burrell Collection.”
“It is fair to say that, without people such as Humza being elected and breaking the many glass ceilings that he did, people like me might not be in the chamber today. I am sure that members will join me in thanking James and Humza for all that they did for their constituencies and in wishing them all the best for the future. Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok is a constituency like no other. It is defined by its diversity, by its rich history and, above all, by communities filled with hope and determination. It is home to communities such as those of old Pollok, Nitshill, Darnley, Crookston, Arden, Newlands, Auldhouse, Pollokshaws, Croftfoot, Cathcart, Castlemilk and Kilmarnock. It is a constituency that is rich in civic pride.”
“He consistently went above and beyond to secure positive outcomes for the people of Cathcart. Secondly, Humza Yousaf served the people of Glasgow Pollok with passion. Not only was he a committed local MSP but, as we all know, he served this country with dedication in government and in his time as First Minister. Many people across Scotland will remember the dignity and compassion that he showed during one of the most difficult periods in his time as First Minister, when members of his family were trapped in Gaza. The concern felt across this Parliament and the country for their safety demonstrated the very best of our shared humanity. I know that members will join me in wishing Humza, Nadia and their family all the very best for the future.”
“I declare my interest: I am an elected councillor on Glasgow City Council. I congratulate you, Deputy Presiding Officer, on your election, and Ivan McKee on his appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform. It is the greatest honour and privilege of my life to serve the people of Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok in the Parliament. I do not take lightly the trust that they have placed in me and I will work hard every day during the next five years to deliver the change that they expect. Before I talk about the constituency, I will mention my two predecessors, both of whom served their constituencies with a dedication that I aspire to follow. First, James Dornan diligently served the people of Glasgow Cathcart for the past 15 years. I saw at first hand how he always put constituents first in everything and anything that he did.”
“I have also made it clear to my health officials that it is not just an issue for the health department and that we need to reach out to different communities. As I intimated, last year we published our action plan on tackling racialised health inequalities in maternity care, which contained 14 actions to be addressed in the first instance. Activity is under way on all the actions that were identified in the action plan for local delivery by NHS boards. I assure Mr Ghani that I will continue to monitor the implementation of those actions through NHS board updates.”
“I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement and the manifesto commitment to an independent report on the maternal mortality that is faced by Scotland’s black and Asian communities. It is essential that communities that face systemic barriers and bias are properly supported to ensure the best outcomes for everyone in Scotland. Can the cabinet secretary say any more about the Government’s expectations for that work and what it hopes to achieve as a result of its commitment? Angela Constance: I will not repeat what I said to Cara McKee, other than to reinforce that tackling racialised health inequalities is a priority. The matter is one on which I have engaged with the Minister for Equalities and International Development, Simita Kumar.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00159.3, in the name of Lorna Slater, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00159, in the name of Stephen Gethins, entitled “It’s Scotland’s energy”, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“For Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00159.1, in the name of Duncan Massey, is: For 28, Against 95, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Duncan Massey is agreed to, the amendments in the names of Lorna Slater and Liam McArthur will fall. The next question is, that amendment S7M- 00159.1, in the name of Duncan Massey, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00159, in the name of Stephen Gethins, entitled “It’s Scotland’s energy”, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Màiri McAllan: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am not sure whether my app connected. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My device seemed not to connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Ghani. Your vote will be recorded. For Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Abstentions Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00159.2, in the name of Daniel Johnson, is: For 16, Against 98, Abstentions 0.”
“Bi-smi llāhi r-rahmāni r-rahīm. I, Zen Ghani, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me”