Mark Ruskell
Scottish Green Party · Scotland
“I move amendment S7M-00434.3, to insert at end: “; recognises that, despite a media backlash, a majority of the public continues to back strong climate action, especially young people; further recognises that local communities and workers must have a meaningful participatory role in developing and implementing local climate action, with t…”
“I move, That the Parliament recognises that climate change constitutes an emergency; supports the goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; notes the consequences of climate change that are currently impacting populations and places around the world; condemns any spread of misinformation about and denial of the impacts of clima…”
“Mark Ruskell was right to point out that we need a just transition, as we do not want to replicate the mistakes of the 1980s. However, we need action on electricity prices.”
“We cannot cut ourselves off from the impacts of global climate change, as Reform would want us to do, just as we cannot opt out of global action by pretending that Scotland does not have huge advantages over other countries when it comes to reducing emissions.”
“A study that was commissioned by the Institute for Public Policy Research a couple of months ago showed that 62 per cent of the UK public back strong climate action, and individual policies such as traffic reduction measures, frequent flyer taxes and low- carbon home heating remain popular.”
“We need to accelerate that action, because as we do so, we will build market certainty and create new markets that will provide new jobs and boost businesses. I think that I have made quite a lot of mention of the amount of GVA that it is bringing to Scotland.”
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Every one of 440 lines we hold for Mark Ruskell, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 9.
“This country does not need five more years dominated by grievance, division and fall-outs while the pressures on people’s lives continue to mount—it needs a Parliament that is focused on delivery. It needs action to bring down waiting lists. It needs action to make life more affordable and it needs action to create opportunity for our amazing young people, but it also needs a politics that is prepared to bring the country together rather than drive it apart. It needs a politics that will confront the politics of us versus them and the culture of fear and blame. That is the standard by which the First Minister will be judged, and it is also the standard by which this Parliament should judge itself. I promise that we will lead an effective but also a responsible Opposition, because that, too, is our duty.”
“Those are the realities that the Parliament that has now been elected faces, and those realities demand seriousness from us all. My party and I will approach the new session of Parliament with that seriousness. Yes, we will hold the Government to account for the promises that it has made. Yes, we will challenge it where it falls short. Yes, we will hold its feet to the fire in the name of the people of Scotland. Of course, there will be matters on which the First Minister and I profoundly disagree, and we will not be shy about saying so. It will be our responsibility to say that clearly and without hesitation. However, there will also be areas where the Parliament has a duty to rise above old habits and take action where we agree to make sure that we are getting things done for Scotland.”
“To meet the challenges that are before us, we will need a new spirit of unity and co- operation, where we agree not just to shout louder when we disagree. That is what the people of Scotland demand, and it is what they deserve from their national Parliament, because the need for action cannot be clearer. Scotland’s NHS is still under severe pressure, with patients waiting too long in pain and families struggling to access care when they need it. Family budgets in Scotland are still under real strain, with too many people feeling that they are paying more and getting less. Scotland still has young people who are anxious about their future and communities that feel left behind by a politics that too often seems remote from their lives and from people across this country.”
“As John Swinney has secured more than half of all the votes cast, I declare that he is now the First Minister of Scotland. [Applause.] I would like to congratulate the First Minister on his election. I will now call each of the party leaders to respond. 15:19 Anas Sarwar: On behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, I congratulate John Swinney on his election as First Minister. I sincerely wish him well in office. To serve as First Minister is not only a great privilege but a profound responsibility. To hold that office at a time of such uncertainty brings to the role an added weight and responsibility. We must all collectively rise to the challenges that we will face in this new session of our Parliament.”
“Votes for Gillian Mackay For Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Votes for Malcolm Offord For Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) 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) Votes for Anas Sarwar For Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (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) Votes for John Swinney For 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) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) 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) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) 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) The Presiding Officer: The number of votes cast was 105.”
“15:18 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: Colleagues, in this round of voting in the selection of the Parliament’s nominee as First Minister, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Gillian Mackay 15, Malcolm Offord 17, Anas Sarwar 17, John Swinney 56, Abstentions 0.”
“Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for John Swinney should advise that they wished to do so by making a point of order now. The final vote in this round is for any member who has not yet voted and who wishes to record an abstention. Members who wish to abstain should press their yes button. Members have 60 seconds to do so. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The vote is closed. Should any member who wished to abstain feel that they were unable to do so, now is their opportunity to make a point of order. That concludes this round of voting. There will be a brief suspension while the votes are counted and verified. 15:15 Meeting suspended.”
“The Presiding Officer: The vote is closed. If any colleague feels that they wanted to vote for Malcolm Offord but were unable to do so, please make a point of order now. The next vote is for Anas Sarwar. Only members who wish to cast their vote for Anas Sarwar should take part in the vote, by voting yes. No other member should vote. Members have 60 seconds to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The vote is closed. Any colleague who wished to vote for Anas Sarwar but feels that they were unable to do so should make a point of order now. The next vote is for John Swinney. Only members who wish to cast their vote for John Swinney should take part in the vote, by voting yes. No other member should vote. Again, members have 60 seconds to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The vote is closed.”
“As there was no overall majority, we will go through another round of voting, but this time Russell Findlay will be eliminated. The following candidates are now before us: Gillian Mackay, Malcolm Offord, Anas Sarwar and John Swinney. In this round, the first vote is for Gillian Mackay. Only members who wish to vote for Gillian Mackay should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other member should vote. Once again, members have 60 seconds to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The vote is closed. Any member who believes that they were unable to vote for Gillian Mackay should advise that they wish to make a point of order. The next vote is for Malcolm Offord. Only members who wish to vote for Malcolm Offord should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other member should vote. Members have 60 seconds to vote. Members voted.”
“Votes for Russell Findlay For Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (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) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Votes for Gillian Mackay For Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Votes for Malcolm Offord For Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) 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) Votes for Anas Sarwar For Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (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) Votes for John Swinney For 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) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) 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) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) 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) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) 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) The Presiding Officer: In total, 115 votes were cast.”
“We will now have a brief suspension while we tally up the votes. 15:04 Meeting suspended. 15:06 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: The total number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Russell Findlay 11, Gillian Mackay 13, Malcolm Offord 17, Anas Sarwar 17, John Swinney 57, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. It appears that I was unable to vote for Gillian Mackay earlier. I do not think that that was recorded. Could you check, if you do not mind? The vote was for Gillian Mackay. The Presiding Officer: Yes, it was not recorded, but you had the opportunity to make a point of order at the time—as, indeed, one of your colleagues did—so I am afraid that that will not be recorded. I should have said to Q Manivannan earlier that you should stand up to make your points of order. It is all right—we are all on a steep learning curve here. Okay—[Inaudible.] [Laughter.] Unlike all the new MSPs, I was not given any explanation of how this tech works before I sat down here. That is happening at noon tomorrow for myself and the Deputy Presiding Officers, so things should be smoother thereafter.”
“In my heart, my allegiance is to the people of Scotland. I, Mark Ruskell, 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.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential public health impact of silica air pollution. (S6O-05702)”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Ruskell. I will ensure that that is recorded.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, in light of NHS Tayside having stopped accepting referrals for children without coexisting mental health disorders in March 2025, what further action it has taken to support children in accessing timely autism spectrum disorder assessments. (S6O- 05664)”
“Dogs break their legs, break their backs and end up paralysed and with serious head trauma. I am sickened by the images from racetracks that show deaths and injuries day in, day out on social media. It is time that that stops. Today, we have the chance to ensure that in Scotland—if the bill passes. Even at this late stage, some members will continue to argue that regulation and licensing are the best way forward, but the injuries and deaths are happening mostly under a licensed regime. The industry has had years to reform, but it has been unwilling or unable to make changes that remove the inherent risk to the dogs that are racing. Licensed greyhound racing is simply licensed animal cruelty. As long as greyhound racing is a lawful activity, it will continue to be impossible to prevent suffering under our animal welfare laws.”
“I am grateful that, in the busy final hours of this parliamentary session, a moment has been found to consider a law to alleviate the suffering of animals. The true mark of a society is the way in which it treats its animals. The case against greyhound racing is plain to see. The numbers speak for themselves. Since the industry started recording figures in 2017, there have been nearly 4,000 deaths and a staggering 35,000 injuries across the United Kingdom. The reasons for that are clear. Racing greyhounds at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour on an oval track results in catastrophic injuries and deaths. The dogs slow down as they enter the first bend, bunching together and crashing as they jostle for position. Centrifugal forces pull the dogs towards the outside of the track, resulting in crashes on the fence.”
“That is why I am absolutely determined that we get this policy right. Everyone should be able to go where they need to go without the fear of abuse or worse. I urge members to support the motion and the Scottish statutory instrument. The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-20139, on approval of an SSI. I ask the minister, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.—[Graeme Dey] The Presiding Officer: I call Ariane Burgess. 22:26”
“The Government knew what happened at Elgin bus station in February 2024 when it introduced the proposal in the programme for government, so why has it come up with legislation that does not strip a bus pass from someone who killed a bus driver? Jim Fairlie: I think that the point that Douglas Ross has made shows that he does not understand what it is that we have actually done and the legislation that we have introduced. I will finish by saying this, which is the most important point that I want to make. I want to pay tribute to those people who have campaigned for the policy, not least the family of Keith Rollinson. My deepest condolences go to Mrs Rollinson and to her friends and the wider family of her husband. It is absolutely correct that Mr Rollinson should have been able to go to his work and come home safely.”
“We all know that criminal behaviour on buses remains primarily a matter for the police and the justice system, but the policy is part of a wider, concerted effort to improve community safety and reduce antisocial behaviour, including through the violence prevention framework for Scotland, the cashback for communities programme and the provision of further funding to Police Scotland. Douglas Ross: The minister has spoken of bad behaviour and antisocial behaviour, but there is nothing worse than taking the life of a bus driver in the circumstances in which Keith Rollinson’s life was taken. How does the minister defend his Government’s decision to include this proposal in the programme for government in 2025-26 after Keith Rollinson was killed at the hands of someone who had a free bus pass and who will continue to have that free bus pass?”
“Will the minister acknowledge that this will not prevent people who have committed antisocial behaviour from getting on a bus? It will only mean that they will not have a free bus pass. Jim Fairlie: I absolutely accept that point. People could still pay to get on a bus, and I raised that at the first round-table discussion that we had. However, when people act in an unacceptable way, the SSI will make our buses safer by removing the privilege of free bus travel.”
“The working group considered how local authorities can meet their statutory duty to provide an adequate public library service in a way that is equitable, financially sustainable and aligned with Scotland’s national outcomes. I cannot comment on the recommendations today, but I encourage Mr Ruskell and other colleagues to read them when they are published, and I hope that everyone will agree that they should be warmly welcomed.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for engaging with campaigns across Perthshire to protect libraries, and in particular for accepting my invitation to come and visit Scone library at the end of last year. At that event, the Scottish Library and Information Council announced that it would be publishing new guidance on what constitutes the adequate provision of libraries, for which campaigners in Perthshire have been calling for a long time. When can we see that guidance being produced and utilised by councils? Angus Robertson: I pay tribute to Mark Ruskell for his tenacious pursuit of this issue and for the invitation to attend Scone library. He will wish to be aware that the Scottish Library and Information Council will publish the recommendations from the public libraries beyond adequate working group tomorrow.”
“The energy strategy has been buried, the heat in buildings programme has been dropped and the traffic reduction targets have been abandoned. I know that there is disquiet among some on the SNP back benches about that direction of travel.”
“When the Scottish Greens formed part of the Government, we worked hard to put that emergency at the heart of the Government’s programme. Our former ministers would acknowledge that that was, at times, not easy, but we secured significant progress. The cabinet secretary has already talked about free bus travel for under-22s and the cap on bus fares, which were delivered by the Greens. There were many more areas of progress but, since we left government, the SNP has gone into retreat on climate action. It has not just lost the narrative on the climate but wilfully given it away. A form of paralysis has crept in. With powerful lobby groups on one side and the limits of devolution on the other, the Government refuses to move forward.”
“It has been seven years since Nicola Sturgeon’s Government declared a climate emergency. That declaration was important. It was a moment of leadership; it was about leadership across Government to accelerate climate action. It was also about the opportunities to drive investment, to create new jobs that have a long- term future, to improve the health of our communities, to make it easier to travel and to live in a comfortable home and to make our economy much more resource efficient. It was never about Scotland going it alone. It was about tried and tested solutions that have been proven around the world. It was about selling the important benefits of transition and leading delivery and change across our society.”
“Finally, Professor Chris Himsworth summed up the overall situation well in my view, stating in his consultation response that he was “very pleased to see that, in the light of all that has happened since the final passing of the Bill, it has been revived and is now once again on track to reach the statute book” and that “although the Bill offers no silver bullet, it has the capacity to contribute to better central-local relationships”. I hope that that is something that we can all agree on, and I look forward to members’ contributions to the debate. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill be approved. 16:22”
“The Law Society of Scotland observed that “the draft amendments are complicated and illustrate the way in which provisions must be drafted to address the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the effect of section 28(7) of the Scotland Act 1998” and acknowledged that “the effect of the amendments is to narrow the scope of the Bill and accordingly limit its practical impact.” COSLA focused on what the remaining policy in the bill could mean, arguing that “The passing of the Bill to incorporate the European Charter of Self Government into law is a huge opportunity for national and Local Government to work together to improve lives across the country, and give Scotland’s communities rights that are already commonplace internationally.” It went on to say that “Council Leaders from across Scotland have already unanimously supported the passage of the bill and are supportive of the proposed amendments to address the Supreme Court ruling.” With all those proposed amendments now debated and agreed to, the bill is, in my view, ready to be approved and to go forward for royal assent.”
“My approach all along has been to hold open a space for the bill to be fixed and, although I could have moved to reconsideration earlier in this session of Parliament, the issue has, at its core, been one for Governments to resolve by mutual agreement and I am pleased that they have now reached that point. It might be helpful in informing this final debate on the bill if I briefly highlight some of the contributions to the consultation held by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.”
“This is a somewhat unique situation, in that it is, I believe, the first reconsideration stage involving a member’s bill at Holyrood. Given that Mr Wightman was not returned in session 6, it fell on me, as the additional member in charge, to bring the bill back. I would have liked to have moved to this point earlier in the session. The Supreme Court ruling was made in 2021 and it has taken until now for there to be something approaching agreement between the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments on the scope of amendments and for reconsideration to be scheduled.”
“I also thank key stakeholders, such as the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, for maintaining pressure throughout most of this parliamentary session so that progress was made. As we are getting very close to the end of the session, I am pleased that time is being made available so that we do not lose the opportunity to complete the process. I thank Roz Thomson and the entire team of legal advisers with the non-Government bills unit who have done a phenomenal job in this session of helping members to bring forward what has been a kaleidoscope of legislative proposals. I also thank Andy Wightman, who was the original member in charge of the bill in the previous session and the driving force behind making the policy law.”
“The European Charter of Local Self- Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill is about strengthening local democracy and, as such, I am pleased to be able to play my part in bringing the bill into law. As the member in charge of the bill, it is incumbent on me to move the motion to enable the reconsideration stage to progress. Although the reconsideration stage is rarely used by the Parliament, I believe that it is a valuable process to ensure that legislation that the Parliament has decided to pass can be fixed and implemented. I will therefore be happy to move the motion in my name. I thank the cabinet secretary and her officials for progressing the amendments.”
“European Charter of Local Self- Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill”
“Section 7—Power to remove or limit retrospective effect of decisions etc Amendments 21 to 24 moved—[Shona Robison]—and agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That ends consideration of amendments. As members will be aware, at this point in the proceedings, the Presiding Officer is required, under standing orders, to decide whether, in her view, any provision in the bill relates to protected subject matter—that is, whether it modifies the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections. In the case of the bill, in the Presiding Officer’s view, no provision of the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill relates to a protected subject. Therefore, the bill does not require a supermajority to be approved at reconsideration stage.”
“I also draw members’ attention to the evidence from the Faculty of Advocates, which stated that narrowing the scope of the bill does not address the concerns about the lack of establishing case law around the charter. The Faculty of Advocates argued that, if the Parliament wished to protect the power, status and autonomy of local government, a more obvious and effective way would be through enacting primary legislation and increasing the powers of local government, particularly in respect of finance. That is all that I need to say on the amendments. We will support them. Amendment 6 agreed to. Amendments 7 to 10 moved—[Shona Robison]—and agreed to. Section 5—Declaration of incompatibility Amendments 11 to 18 moved—[Shona Robison]—and agreed to. After section 5 Amendments 19 and 20 moved—[Shona Robison]—and agreed to.”
“As with group 1, the amendments have the full support of COSLA, the representative body of the bill’s key stakeholder. They were also broadly accepted by stakeholders who responded to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s call for views last month as the only realistic way of ensuring that the bill remained within devolved competence and avoided another referral to the Supreme Court. I move amendment 6. 16:15 Alexander Stewart: The group addresses the position of the Supreme Court that the bill is outwith competence. The interpretation duty and the powers to make declarations of incompatibility are now restricted to Scottish Parliament legislation only, and the remittal powers are similarly narrowed. The changes are necessary, and we will support them.”
“The amendments to section 7 seek to mirror the revised scope of sections 4 and 5 by ensuring that it applies only to acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish statutory instruments that are made under acts of the Scottish Parliament, instead of it making broader reference to “subordinate legislation” and “primary legislation”. That is necessary as a consequence of the amendments to sections 4 and 5, because section 7 relies on the wider compatibility framework elsewhere in the bill. Section 7 is about the courts being able to remove or limit any retrospective effect of a decision about incompatible legislation, so it stands to reason that references to incompatible legislation in section 7 need to be narrowed to correspond with the narrower focus of sections 4 and 5.”
“Insertions into UK acts by acts of the Scottish Parliament would not be subject to sections 4 and 5. Only wording originating from an act of the Scottish Parliament would have to be read compatibly with the charter and would potentially be subject to a declaration of incompatibility. The amendments will also ensure that sections 4 and 5 do not apply to text inserted into acts of the Scottish Parliament or SSIs by UK legislation, or to SSIs that are made under powers in UK acts. That approach seeks to retain as much of the original bill as possible and align it with the amendments that were made to the UNCRC bill during its reconsideration stage in order to minimise the possibility of a further Supreme Court referral.”
“Section 4—Interpretation of legislation The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 2 is on the interpretation duty. Amendment 6, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 7 to 24. Shona Robison: The amendments in group 2 will revise section 4, on interpreting legislation compatibly with the charter articles, and section 5, on declarations of incompatibility. They will also make consequential changes to section 7, on limiting the retrospective effect of certain court decisions. The Supreme Court found sections 4 and 5, as passed, to be outwith the Scottish Parliament’s legislative competence. Therefore, my amendments will confine the application of those sections to acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish statutory instruments that are made under acts of the Scottish Parliament.”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for taking the lead in moving the amendments in this group and in the next group. It is important to underline that it has taken some time to reach agreement, but the position that we have now reached has been warmly welcomed by COSLA, which accepts that the bill’s scope has to be tightened. That has also been accepted by other stakeholders, including me. I have nothing further to add other than to say that I urge members to vote for the amendments that the Government has lodged after lengthy consideration with the UK Government. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call the cabinet secretary to wind up the debate. Shona Robison: I have nothing further to add. Amendment 1 agreed to. Amendments 2 to 5 moved—[Shona Robison]— and agreed to.”
“Gillian Martin: Mark Ruskell will appreciate that I cannot share any detail about anything that is happening with regard to a police investigation, but SEPA is engaging with Police Scotland. If people have witnessed anything that they believe might have been illegal activity, they should, of course, contact the police. Indeed, if anyone wants to contact Scottish Water’s customer support staff about anything in relation to the whole situation, they should do so on 0800 0778 778. However, with regard to anything that they think is suspicious around the causes of the incident, it is the police they should contact.”
“Over the weekend, I visited Killin, and I saw a community of people who are doing an incredible job of supporting each other. They are also very grateful for the work of Scottish Water. However, the community is angry with Certas Energy, the owner of the Lix Toll filling station, which has left that facility vulnerable and abandoned for months on end. Can the cabinet secretary confirm whether Police Scotland has uncovered any evidence of a theft of diesel at the site, as alleged by Certas? What actions are open not only to SEPA but to other regulators in order to punish Certas and seek compensation if the company is found to be liable for this pollution incident?”
“When I met ExxonMobil executives in 2022 to discuss my report on a just transition plan, they were bullish. They told me that, even if North Sea gas production were to decline, that would not worry them, because they could always import ethane feedstock to keep Mossmorran open. Four years on from that meeting, the announcement to close was sudden and brutal. Contractor workers were simply locked out of their workplace on the same day. Although ExxonMobil tries to blame high taxation, it paid out some $37 billion to shareholders in 2025. Let us be clear: it is cutting and running from Fife, earlier than planned, with— so far—no industrial legacy for communities and workers who deserve so much better.”
“ExxonMobil’s Fife ethylene plant closed on 2 February. Some of the skilled workforce have already left Scotland; others, with the support of their unions and the partnership action for continuing employment initiative, are trying to make sense of their future options. Fife communities already bear deep scars of unmanaged industrial decline. They have been here before, when the Tories shut the coal mines. Despite the operation of Mossmorran for 20 years longer than its original lifespan, there has been no proactive planning for transition or reinvestment. That is a reckless, head-in-the-sand approach. As the Just Transition Commission has stated, what we are seeing at Mossmorran is “another major disorderly and unjust industrial closure” in Scotland.”
“We cannot allow perpetrators of environmental crime—especially those who have been reckless and have damaged the environment through neglect—to get away with ecocide because the crime may be too difficult to prosecute under the bill’s provisions. In my closing speech, I will turn to some other aspects of the bill and the evidence, but I reassure Monica Lennon that Scottish Green MSPs will be voting for her bill at stage 1 at decision time. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Liam McArthur to open on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. 14:57”
“This is really challenging stuff. At stages 2 and 3, we will need to get our heads around whether there is a consensus on key areas of the bill that need to be changed. In her response to the committee’s stage 1 report, the cabinet secretary says that the opportunity for further reform of section 40 of the 2014 act in this session has passed. However, she will be aware that my colleague Ross Greer moved amendments at stage 2 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill to increase the penalties under the RRA, and I am sure that that is an area that Green MSPs will want to address in some form at stage 2.”
“Edward Mountain: Given the concerns that you have raised, do you believe, as I do, that, if the bill proceeds, it is really important that we get any amendments in early, so that we can take evidence on them and know whether they are any good? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair. Mark Ruskell: I agree with our convener. We almost need a form of expedited process. I am not talking about a change to standing orders; I simply mean that we need a way of looking at the evidence that will come to the committee, the amendments and the views that we will receive on those amendments. I am looking forward to that process, although I think that it will involve some late nights. It has been hard for the committee to get its head around the breadth of the bill that Monica Lennon has put before Parliament.”
“However, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service told the committee about the challenges of pursuing a prosecution under ecocide legislation rather than section 40 of the 2014 act and the choices that prosecutors would face in that regard. They would have to make trade-offs between the lower likelihood of a successful prosecution and the severity of a maximum sentence and a higher burden of proof under Monica Lennon’s bill’s version of ecocide. Clarity needs to be provided on how both options can co-exist and on how prosecutors and juries could navigate between the two pieces of legislation. I note the cabinet secretary’s response to the committee, which was issued last night. Edward Mountain: Will the member take an intervention? Mark Ruskell: If there is time in hand, I will. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There is a bit of time.”
“It would sit at the apex of our legislation with the strongest penalties available where there has been severe widespread long-term environmental damage that has been intentionally caused. Section 40 of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 also provides a way for higher penalties to be issued to those who cause some of the worst forms of environmental harm. Increasing the penalties under section 40 would provide another way to incorporate the principle of ecocide into Scots law and would align with the provision in the EU environmental crime directive. Unlike some members, I do not see the provisions in Monica Lennon’s bill and an enhanced section 40 of the 2014 act as being direct alternatives.”