Gary Bouse
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“One or two members may have heard of a thing called the Kelpies in Helix park and the Falkirk wheel, which is an amazing place to go. We also have secrets such as Callendar park. If members have been to Callendar house, they will know that it is a wonderful place, especially for an afternoon tea. I have been there many times.”
“The deep sense of community that I have today grew from those people helping people, and I see that sense of community across my constituency and throughout Scotland.”
“Congratulations on your election, Deputy Presiding Officer. Before I continue, I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a serving councillor in Falkirk.”
“In government, Michael Matheson made a hugely positive impact, introducing the world-leading domestic abuse legislation criminalising coercive and controlling behaviour, establishing self-directed support, renationalising Scotland’s railways and banning the display of cigarettes at the point of sale.”
“However, transforming our public sector requires partnership. As in business, we must ensure that resources are deployed effectively to produce the best possible results while reducing waste and duplication. Most important, we must ensure that services are fairly and appropriately financed in order to guarantee positive outcomes.”
“I urge the Government to take forward any action that will protect jobs, including in Falkirk West, where recent announcements of job losses at Alexander Dennis and Hescott Engineering have added further pressure to an already precarious situation.”
The complete record
Every one of 12 lines we hold for Gary Bouse, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“I apologise—that was made in the wrong place. I was hoping that Zen Ghani would finish first. I will make my point of order thereafter.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on the environment of the construction and operation of hyperscale data centres. (S7O-00114)”
“In the meantime, while the Scottish and UK Governments are engaging on matters that are vital to my constituents’ livelihoods, amending that legislation should be the foundation on which we build. If the UK Government is, as we expect, unwilling to accommodate, it should get out of the way and let us in Scotland do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons and for the benefit of our businesses, families and communities, because that is what our constituents expect of us.”
“I urge the Government to take forward any action that will protect jobs, including in Falkirk West, where recent announcements of job losses at Alexander Dennis and Hescott Engineering have added further pressure to an already precarious situation. Scotland, like any normal independent country, should have the ability to use public funding to support local jobs and protect our vital industries. Where the Scottish Government can act, it has done so. However, I make a further appeal. The United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 and the Subsidy Control Act 2022 are holding Scotland back from being able to meaningfully improve our prospects and industries.”
“However, transforming our public sector requires partnership. As in business, we must ensure that resources are deployed effectively to produce the best possible results while reducing waste and duplication. Most important, we must ensure that services are fairly and appropriately financed in order to guarantee positive outcomes. Key to that is engaging our dedicated public sector workforce and service users and fostering an environment in which they can take ownership of change. Falkirk Council has many examples of that, and I would welcome an opportunity to discuss that further with the cabinet secretary. I take this opportunity to invite him to visit Falkirk and see that in action.”
“The deep sense of community that I have today grew from those people helping people, and I see that sense of community across my constituency and throughout Scotland. Cycling Without Age Scotland, which is based in Larbert, where I live, brings freedom and joy to people who have found themselves isolated at home or wherever they are cared for. Falkirk District Scouts builds resilient young people and gives them opportunities and experiences to explore and contribute to a bigger cause. I also note the work that is undertaken by Keeping Larbert and Stenhousemuir Beautiful. Those groups support with dignity those in the area who are most in need, breaking down social isolation, organising community events and nurturing and strengthening our communities, which are empowered to come together for everyone’s benefit.”
“One or two members may have heard of a thing called the Kelpies in Helix park and the Falkirk wheel, which is an amazing place to go. We also have secrets such as Callendar park. If members have been to Callendar house, they will know that it is a wonderful place, especially for an afternoon tea. I have been there many times. Although I plan to chart my own course in this place, it is with grateful thanks that I take up the mantle to be the best MSP that I can be and to honour the legacy of the two gentlemen who have gone before me. My commitment to the people of Falkirk West is to act thoughtfully and to carry out my duties with fairness, integrity and respect for everyone. My earliest years were spent growing up in Glasgow tenement slums, where life could be extremely challenging but for the people who were around us.”
“In government, Michael Matheson made a hugely positive impact, introducing the world-leading domestic abuse legislation criminalising coercive and controlling behaviour, establishing self-directed support, renationalising Scotland’s railways and banning the display of cigarettes at the point of sale. In addition, he is always standing up for the workers of Alexander Dennis. I do not claim that my constituency is the best in Scotland—if you know, you know. Falkirk has a deep history, which runs from the Romans, with the Antonine wall, to the Jacobite period and then to the industrial revolution. Without the Carron works, the industrial revolution does not happen in Scotland. We also have the odd thing to go and see.”
“Congratulations on your election, Deputy Presiding Officer. Before I continue, I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a serving councillor in Falkirk. Most of us who are elected here have the same ambition, which is to do our best for our constituents who have placed their trust in us as their representatives. I am deeply honoured to be elected as the member for Falkirk West, the constituency that has been my home for more than three decades. Having lived, and brought up my family, in Larbert, I have been incredibly well served by two giants of Scottish politics: Dennis Canavan and Michael Matheson—Dennis from 1999 to 2007 and Michael for almost two decades. Both were first elected in 1999 and both have a legacy of exemplary service to Falkirk West.”
“The review of non-domestic rates will be comprehensive and will include consideration of how the NDR system can best support and encourage growth and investment.”
“I point members to my entry in the register of members’ interests as a sitting councillor in Falkirk. Tax increment financing has been incredibly successful in Falkirk in unlocking the economic potential of the area, delivering 2,000 jobs and £36 million of infrastructure in the first half of a 25-year project. What assurances can the minister give that any changes to non-domestic rates will support and enhance TIF schemes, such as the successful example in Falkirk district, so as not to put such vital economic growth at risk? Hannah Mary Goodlad: Six TIF projects were set up as part of a pilot scheme. The impact on place and on the local economy will be assessed as the investments near completion, allowing ministers to come to a view on further use of the funding tool.”
“I, Gary Bouse, 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.”