George Adam
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“The spirit of hope, optimism and belief has always been part of Scotland’s heart and Scotland’s story, which is why the motion feels so out of place in our chamber. Where Scotland sees hope, Reform sees grievance. Where Scotland sees opportunity, Reform sees division.”
“The tartan army have travelled in numbers, as they always do, and they have shown the world exactly what Scotland is all about. Scotland is good humoured, looks for friendship and shows respect to others and their culture—and is a wee bit gallus.”
“By the end, it reads like the ramblings of a very angry man sitting on his own in the corner of the pub, complaining about immigrants, about net zero, about equality, about young people and about Scotland—and eventually falling out with absolutely everyone else in the pub.”
“It is Nigel Farage—the same Nigel Farage who promised prosperity and delivered labour shortages, higher costs, barriers to trade and years of economic uncertainty— Malcolm Offord: Will the member take an intervention? George Adam:—and now he is back, demanding that Scotland trusts him again.”
“What Scotland needs is confidence in ourselves—confidence to build our communities and confidence in our ability to build a fair economy that works for everyone. We need confidence that our future is not bound up in the bitterness and division offered by Reform UK.”
“George Adam: His lordship’s argument is that it is slightly better than it is for somebody else next door. That is complete and utter nonsense. Presiding Officer, I used to be in the motor industry—if someone sold you a second-hand car that immediately burst into flames, you would not turn up and ask for a second one, would you?”
The complete record
Every one of 411 lines we hold for George Adam, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 9.
“One issue relating to support staff is that, starting in around 2019, Government statisticians could no longer distinguish between ASN staff and classroom or general pupil support assistants; from that point onward, they began to group those two categories together in the school staff census. That is why the Scottish Greens worked with the cabinet secretary to develop policy proposals for a system of accreditation and registration of ASN staff. However, it is not only about support staff. There has been a significant reduction in ASN teacher numbers relative to the number of pupils. In fact, there has been no increase in the number of ASN teachers in our schools even in absolute terms.”
“As I mentioned earlier, I want £186 million to be used to recruit and retain teachers in our schools, but I also respect the fact that local authority elected representatives have as much democratic legitimacy as we have, and they are the employers of those who work in our schools. There is an obvious tension between those two positions. The Conservative amendment touches on a number of issues that were raised during that party’s most recent business debate. Again, it refers specifically to pupil support staff. That goes hand in hand with long-term workforce development.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the winding-up speeches. 15:36 Maggie Chapman: There has been some discussion of the need for collaboration between national and local government to achieve a sustainable teaching workforce. The Liberal Democrat motion, which the Scottish Greens support, rightly highlights the failure to meet the target of 3,500 new teachers. The Parliament must come to terms with that shortfall. However, one key omission, which was highlighted by the cabinet secretary and others, is the role of local authorities. It is therefore good that the Government’s amendment adds reference to the need for any new plan for the teaching workforce to include local authorities. Such partnership working with our councils is crucial.”
“I have seen how the attainment challenge and pupil equity funding have delivered for schools in Renfrewshire. That has involved hiring additional staff and has delivered real improvement in outcomes for kids in our most deprived areas. That is a step in the right direction. Let us be honest. There is work to do, but we have to acknowledge that there has been much that is good. As I have said, more than 80 per cent of teachers are in permanent posts, and we have the lowest pupil teacher ratio in the UK. The Scottish Government’s amendment is about partnership, evidence and ambition. It is about building a future in which every child in Scotland, whether they are in Paisley, Perth or Portree, has access to brilliant teaching and the opportunity to thrive and be all that they can be in life.”
“Willie Rennie: In making his reasonable contribution, does the member recognise that the Government has contributed to the surplus, and therefore the unemployment, of primary teachers? George Adam: Our job is to work together on solutions. The cabinet secretary has been open about how she is willing to work with members and others to see how we can go forward. Much of what has been said ignores lots of good work that the Scottish Government has done, which has involved real investment. As the cabinet secretary mentioned, the number of teachers in permanent posts has remained stable at more than 80 per cent for the past 10 years, and the number of school teachers in post in Scotland has increased by 6 per cent since 2014. Those are good things.”
“Someone who lives in Paisley is unlikely to want to go for a job in Peterhead. The cabinet secretary mentioned the possibility of future schemes to tackle that issue. We need to find a way round it. I understand why people will not move to another part of the country, away from where their family and all their support are. If they are starting a new career, they will want to have that support. Nobody is pretending that the teaching profession does not face challenges—we all know that it does. However, I find it surprising that the Liberal Democrat motion has been framed in such a doom-and-gloom manner, to the extent that it undermines much of the good work that our teachers are doing in our communities.”
“The fact that I am saying that what he said was not complete and utter nonsense is an admission that my relationship with him is heading in a positive direction. He made some valid points. None of this is easy: let us not kid ourselves that there is a silver bullet or an easy way to solve the problem. As someone who has been on the education committee in its many guises throughout his time in Parliament, I know that we need to sit down together and come up with solutions. Initially, I thought that that was what this debate was about. Mr Rennie was perhaps a bit aggressive in his delivery, but who am I to talk about that? We talk about the geographical challenges that exist for young people who are training to be teachers. I used the phrase “from Paisley to Peterhead”.”
“As I have listened to the debate, what I was planning to say has changed about three or four times, so I apologise if my speech ends up being a bit of a mishmash of everything that has been said so far. I will start with an obvious point, which I think we all agree on: Scotland’s teachers are among the best and most hard working in the world. In places from Paisley to Peterhead, they show up every day for our young people and shape their lives. Those mentors, role models and pillars of our community deserve our heartfelt thanks. I listened to the points that Willie Rennie made about the motion that he lodged on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, who have been newly promoted to the premier league. He made some valid observations—it was not all nonsense.”
“I hope to goodness that it will change its attitude and take a more collaborative, open and democratic approach to negotiating with our European Union partners and to achieving a restoration in our relationship with them. If it will not, I come back to where I ended my earlier remarks. If the UK Government will not behave in that way, Scotland will have to take to itself the powers to restore its relationship with Europe and make those decisions in a democratically accountable way. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Harvie. Members, do let us avoid speaking over one another. 16:32”
“I was happy to debate that motion and explain why it was wrong, but it was largely about reserved issues such as oil and gas licensing, and a great deal more besides. Stephen Kerr: No! No! The Presiding Officer: Let us hear Mr Harvie. Patrick Harvie: In truth, the split between devolved and reserved issues has never been a precise one, and it is less so now than it was when the Scottish Parliament was created. In much of our relationship with Europe, we see aspects that affect both types. Therefore, acting in the spirit of collaboration and openness and developing shared positions across the Governments of the UK, which the cabinet secretary was calling for, are all the more important. However, the UK Government is not doing that.”
“If there had been such an experiment in the UK, there would have been no dawn raids and no detention centres, the people of Kenmure Street would not have had to fill it to defend their neighbours from immigration enforcement action, and the bodies of children would never have washed up on the shores of the Channel. It is a falsehood to say that there has been such an experiment, and I think that Sir Keir Starmer knows it. My final point is on the notion that we should not be debating reserved issues. The Conservatives play that card when they like, but not on other occasions, such as during yesterday’s debate, in which Mr Kerr spoke on a Tory motion that was mostly about such issues.”
“Quite apart from the rhetoric on “strangers”, which I found uncomfortable—given Paul Sweeney’s response, I think that he did, too, even if he might use more diplomatic language to criticise it than I would—is the idea that a UK Prime Minister is openly promoting the far-right conspiracy theory that there has been an open borders experiment in the UK. I know that in the chamber we are expected not to accuse anyone of lying, so I will try not to do that. However, it stretches the power of euphemism to describe accurately the nature of that claim.”
“I hope that that emerges, but, really, months and months into the new UK Administration, we should be seeing a little more detail by now. Youth mobility should absolutely be one of the UK Government’s key priorities, and it should be seen as a step towards wider free movement. I echo Elena Whitham’s point that, in this week’s furore around the UK Government’s announcements on migration, the portrayal of care work as low skilled and therefore of low value in the broadest sense is deeply offensive and harmful to those whose dedication was being applauded on doorsteps right across the country just a few years ago, as health and social care workers kept going during the pandemic.”
“However, we need to work together with those European countries to achieve that as well as on issues such as high-voltage direct-current interconnection with Europe for electricity and the skills that are needed for net zero, including building decarbonisation. Many European countries are decades ahead of Scotland on building decarbonisation, so there is a great deal to learn from them, and we should certainly be doing more to work with Europe on that agenda. However, I also want to question the idea of a reset. I genuinely hope that the UK Government has a reset with Europe in mind. It has used the same language in relation to a reset with the devolved Governments in the various parts of the UK. I do not see that yet; I do not yet see the flesh on the bones of either a reset with Europe or a reset with devolution.”
“I agree that there would be opportunities to at least ameliorate some of the damage of Brexit with an agreement on veterinary and food and drink arrangements and high regulatory standards as well as on climate and energy. In recent weeks, we have debated net zero—from a more sceptical position in the case of the Conservatives—and we have debated hydrogen, for example. There is a clear sense that, although many of us are pointing out the shortcomings of using hydrogen in certain parts of our economy, there is a general consensus that green hydrogen can play a significant part in our wider decarbonisation and in export, and that there are other European countries that could see Scotland as a source of green hydrogen, which would also benefit our economy.”
“However, the idea of taking back control was politically powerful because so many people do not feel that they have control. That is a domestic matter—it is about the structure of the UK state and the funding of public services, in Scotland as well as in the rest of the UK; it is not the European Union that is responsible for that feeling of a lack of control. It is also to do with the power—the unaccountable power—of private interests and the privatisation of what should be democratically accountable power in our society. I will come to some of the points that the Scottish Government has been making about the negotiating position that it wants the UK Government to strike in the upcoming summit.”
“In fact, if I have one major criticism of the campaign to remain in the EU nine years ago, it is that it was not willing enough to say that Europe could change and do better, whether on international issues, climate, equalities or anything else. It should have been willing to talk about how Europe could and should change to address people’s priorities. That also relates to some of the points that George Adam made about the impact on communities that feel that they are being poorly served. There is a reason why “Take back control” was a powerful slogan. It was a profoundly dishonest slogan. If the 2014 independence campaign had rested on something as simplistic as a three-word slogan such as, “Take back control”, I would not have taken part because it would have been so simplistic and dishonest.”
“Let us rejoin the community of nations that we were dragged out of. Let us take our place not as a region in Westminster’s waiting room, but as a nation and a country in our own right. The Presiding Officer: We move to winding up speeches. 16:24 Patrick Harvie: First, I apologise to Christine Grahame. If I had realised that she was moving on to make the point that I was trying to make, I would not have interrupted her, but I have to say that she made the point extremely well. The challenge that we have to address, as pro- Europeans, is to acknowledge that being pro- European is not to be uncritical of the EU institutions.”
“I do not agree, in any shape or form, with using a vulnerable community that has come to Scotland looking for a new beginning as a scapegoat. That is part of the problem with the debate that we are currently having with those on the far right. I am looking for an independent Scotland that is European. Brexit is not only a past mistake; it is a current crisis. It is a slow-motion car crash that is hurting every part of Scotland. It is harming our economy, making our people poorer, isolating our public services and robbing the next generation of their rightful place in Europe. Scotland deserves better, wants better and needs better, and—with independence—Scotland can choose better. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. George Adam: Let us return to Europe.”
“The Tories are upset because they are no longer in government, so they have decided that they will try to out-Farage Farage. That is not what the public want. The public need a Government like the Scottish Government, which looks to the future to ensure that we can build a better tomorrow. Paul Sweeney: Does the member accept that every level of government has a part to play in promoting cohesion, particularly in the context of several cities in Scotland having a housing emergency and continued inward migration, which may create community tensions? It is the duty of the Government to recognise the opportunity of that, to build our way out of it and to bring people together instead of creating further discord. George Adam: I believe that we have a duty to work together to deliver for the people of Scotland.”
“For us, it is not about some ideal. When we mention independence, it is about how Scotland can be a better place and how we can build a better nation. That is what I want for the Parliament. I want to listen to Stephen Kerr talking about a better, independent Scotland taking on powers and responsibilities and ensuring that we are at the table with the European Union during negotiations. That is the important thing. That is what people want. They want us to do our jobs, and we need to go out there and say that independence is the way forward. We cannot sit here any longer and listen to the foppish arguments on one side and the absolute nonsense on the other. Labour has been in government for less than a year and it has lost control. It has no idea what it is doing. Every day, one thing or another comes out.”
“Well, there we go—what a disgusting comment. Goodness me. I thought that that would be completely out of bounds, given the standards of respect that we are supposed to have in the Parliament. The member is making the point of my amendment, which is that purpose of the Parliament is to address things such as NHS waiting times, falling levels of attainment, the rise of violence in schools, the state of our public finances and the incompetence of the SNP executive. That is what the Parliament should be doing. That is why the people of Scotland sent us here. George Adam: Mr Kerr never fails to entertain. At the end of the day, the important thing to the people of Scotland is that the Government deals with all the issues that it continually has to deal with. However, we are being held back by Westminster, and that is the problem.”
“What is worse, it is still causing damage and neither of the main Westminster parties seems to want to talk about that. I listened to a London-based news radio show not so long ago. There was a phone-in, and I noted the number of people from down south who are now getting buyer’s remorse, following Brexit, because what we said would happen is actually happening and it is affecting their lives and their pockets. This is the real world. The chamber is not some debating society where we sit, speak for our six minutes and go; this is Scotland’s Parliament, and we should be talking about the issues that really matter to the people of Scotland. This debate is an example of that. Stephen Kerr: Will the member take an intervention? George Adam: Yes, let us hear from our very own Alf Garnett. Stephen Kerr: Oh, my goodness!”
“That is what my constituents feel, and maybe we are in a situation where people are getting disillusioned with politics because some politicians—although not all of us—do not speak the language that they speak and do not speak about their world in a way that they can understand. Here is a perfect truth: the people of Paisley, and people across Scotland, feel every single day that Brexit was never Scotland’s choice. I know that the Opposition hates hearing this, but it was never Scotland’s choice. We voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU. Every local authority and every area in Scotland said no to Brexit, yet it was forced on us by a Westminster Government that we did not elect, and now we are living with the consequences. The hard Brexit harmed our economy, weakened our rights and cut us off from the opportunities that the EU offers.”
“We have heard Stephen Kerr doing his best impression of Al Murray’s Brexit-loving, offensive pub landlord, although he stopped short of saying “Back off, Brussels”, which is Al Murray’s tagline. One of the things about that character is that it is a caricature—it is hysterical, and Stephen Kerr is predictable. We have heard talk of “the bonds of Britain” and of how they keep us together, but Westminster forgets my community. All my life, Westminster has forgotten the people of Paisley and my community. All my life, those I love and hold close to me have been forgotten by Westminster. We are but pawns to them as we sit in the Westminster waiting room, waiting for a meeting to try to sort something out. This debate is about Scotland, which seems to be the forgotten part of the United Kingdom.”
“We are living in a world in which, as Christine Grahame said, we have Donald Trump, with his marker pen and his big billboards, making sure that penguins are getting tariffs, too. We are constantly dealing with what seems almost to be an alternate version of the world. If someone had written it into a dystopian science fiction book, we would think that it was too unrealistic. Unfortunately, that is what we are living in at the moment. We are living in a place where Nigel Farage is seen as some kind of saviour by some and as not being on the far right. Well, he is on the extreme far right. The situation is not helped by those in the Labour and Conservative parties who are trying to become pound-shop Farages. That does not help us in the least. This afternoon, we have heard versions of that.”
“It is never good to start with an apology, but I apologise for having not been here for the start of the cabinet secretary’s speech. It is becoming difficult for Stacey and I to get from one end of the campus to the other since my speech the other day, now that we are the middle-aged Posh and Becks of the Scottish Parliament. I will start with something that has already been talked about. This week started with a Labour Prime Minister talking about us being “an island of strangers”. In Scotland, we are a nation that has, over the years, welcomed people in to make our nation, our home and our communities better. We are a nation that has constantly looked to others to come here and be new Scots.”
“The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has hosted monthly round-table meetings with that group and with COSLA. The group is continuing to work at pace, and its next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. The message that we hear loudly and consistently from providers and stakeholders is that the UK Labour Government must reconsider this harmful decision and fully fund the cost to social care of the national insurance changes. I echo that call today.”
“The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland has warned that the UK Government’s national insurance hike is “a massive threat” and has said: “We have absolutely no idea how we’re going to cover that bill.” Will the minister update us on the Scottish Government’s latest engagement with social care providers about the impact that the hike will have on services? Maree Todd: As I set out in my statement, the ENICs increase is disastrous for social care, with care providers warning that significant numbers of providers could close their doors as a result of the changes from Labour. The situation has been described as an “existential threat” for the sector. We have regular engagement on the issue with social care providers and stakeholders, such as CCPS and Scottish Care, through our financial viability response group.”
“I support the bill, not just as a politician, but as a husband, because my wife has shaped my life, career and values. I owe it her to stand here and say—yes, we trust people to make the most personal decision of all and we trust them to know when enough is enough. 16:08”
“The bill is not about ending life early; it is about making sure that, when death is near, people have a choice that is safe, legal and compassionate. The safeguards are clear: two doctors must agree that the person is terminally ill; the person must be mentally capable; there is a waiting period; and there are multiple steps to confirm that the decision is informed and voluntary. The bill will not lead to pressure or coercion, but it will lead to dignity. It will bring comfort for many, even for those who never use it, because they will know that the option is there if they need it. To be honest, I want that for Stacey and for anyone who is living with an incurable illness. No one should have to leave their home, country or loved ones in order to die on their own terms.”
“We hope that that time never comes, but, if it does, and the suffering becomes unbearable, Stacey should have the right to choose how her life ends—with dignity and compassion and surrounded by those who love her. I need to say something else, just as honestly as everything else that I have said today. The bill would give Stacey peace of mind, because I do not know whether I would be strong enough to let go. The thought of life without her is unbearable. I know that that is selfish, but I am a human being. As the song says, she is every thought, she is everything, she is every song I ever sing. I do not want to make that decision—I want Stacey to be able to decide. For Stacey, me and thousands of other families, the bill is about having the choice of a peaceful, dignified end, if and when that time comes.”
“No matter how much strength and spirit she shows—and, believe me, she has plenty of that—we know that the road ahead could get harder. Let me be clear: on their own, many of Stacey’s conditions would not qualify under the bill. MS is not classified as terminal, and nor are asthma or osteoporosis. However, together, in someone with secondary progressive MS and a weakened immune system, those conditions could lead to a serious terminal event in later life. The bill matters because it recognises that illness is not straightforward—someone can live with chronic conditions for years and then reach a point where death is close and suffering is great. Stacey and I support Liam McArthur’s bill not because it is about us now, but because one day it might be.”
“Ever the showwoman, she stood up from her wheelchair in front of the cameras and grabbed me. I put my head on her shoulder and I wept like a wean, to the sound of camera shutters clicking. But now I am Paisley’s MSP because she believes in me. Many members know that Stacey lives with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis with relapses. What they do not know is that she also lives with osteoporosis, asthma and high blood pressure. Those conditions do not define her, but they do shape her life, and they shape mine, too. It is easy to look at Stacey, who is still working here, laughing and driving me bonkers, and think that she is doing fine, but it is not that simple. MS is progressive. The relapses still come, and each one leaves a mark. Her immune system is weakened and her health is fragile.”
“I have my own personal reason for standing here today—I might be emotional about it, but I am not afraid to say it: I love my wife. Stacey Adam means absolutely everything to me. There is an old American standard—and everybody who knows me knows that I love a cheeky wee American standard—which is called “All I Do is Dream of You”. It is a simple song, and the lyrics go: “You’re every thought, you’re everything You’re every song I ever sing”. That is exactly what Stacey is to me. Stacey has been there for me through everything—every election, speech, defeat and success—guiding me, grounding me and challenging me to be a better man. I will never forget that, in the 2011 election, my one goal in my victory speech was not to greet, but, when it was over, I walked over to Stacey.”
“In 2015, I ended up a teary, snottery, emotional mess when I did my speech on that bill. I am trying my best not to be that way this time, but I have to say something very personal—well, the reality is that this is all extremely personal. I was the original convener of the cross-party group on end of life choices, and I remember the early meetings. I remember hearing heartbreaking stories of families watching their loved ones die in absolute agony, and of others who were forced to travel abroad just to take control of their final days on their own, away from every one of their loved ones. I will not lie—it nearly broke me. I did not know if I had the emotional capacity to keep going in that role, but I did—or perhaps a better way to put it is to say, we did.”
“I start by thanking Liam McArthur for the way that he has worked with everyone and for how he has conducted himself during the whole debate. I also commend the work of Dr Amanda Ward, who I know has been a great support to him during the bill process; she has also been a good friend to my wife, Stacey. In 2015, I supported the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill, and it will be no surprise to any member in the chamber that I will be supporting this bill, too. I have listened to what those who are against the bill have had to say—I even had a conversation with the Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan, when we had a meeting on it. We agreed to disagree, because we have a relationship where we can disagree on certain matters and move on with other things, but I understand and respect those who have religious beliefs on these matters.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any implications for Scotland’s public services of the UK Government’s proposed reforms to the immigration system. (S6T-02522)”
“Even now, after everything, those parties cling to their broken promises and broken rules while the people of Paisley pay the price through rising food costs and energy bills and stretched public services. Let us be blunt: Westminster does not work for Scotland—it is not even pretending any more. That is why independence is not a slogan; it is a necessity. It gives us the power to build a fairer economy, to end poverty and to take decisions about Scotland in Scotland. 15:50”
“George Adam: The people of Paisley do not want to hear the same tired old attack lines. We hear constantly from the Opposition that the NHS is on its knees, which is not the case. If the member talks to constituents in Paisley, they will tell him that. Incidentally, as we are talking about the economy, I point out that the NHS is one of the biggest employers in the area. The Labour Party can continue having a go at the people of Paisley and my constituents, but I, for one, will always stand up for them. Paul O’Kane: Will the member take an intervention? George Adam: I am sorry, but I am coming to the end of my time, which is unfortunate. We have had the Tories crashing the economy with the Truss budget, and Labour shrugging and signing up to the Tory spending limits, with the Scottish Government left to pick up the pieces again.”
“We have two shopping malls in the town, one of which is successful and one of which is less so. We need to take that investment further, invest in more town centre housing and look at some of the projects that are being developed as we speak. If we learn anything from the past, it is that we never finish with the work of regeneration—we just need to continue it. Paul O’Kane: George Adam is extolling the virtues of Paisley, as we would expect, but will he say anything about the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley—a hospital that is known to him and me— which has suffered serious downgrades over the past 18 years under this Government, including the closure of its children’s ward, and about continual threats to other services in Paisley? Will he say anything about that, and will he do anything to defend it?”
“That is exactly the can-do attitude that I am talking about. The Paisley central library, which is also on the High Street, is not just lending books but bringing people together as a successful community hub. The Scottish Government provided £1.5 million of that £7 million project. Right at the heart of the town is the George A Clark town hall—that was its Sunday name, Presiding Officer, when it was opened 135 years ago, but we just call it Paisley toon hall. A £22 million investment by Renfrewshire Council has brought our grand old town hall to the 21st century, ensuring that people can go to events and come to the heart of the centre of the universe in Paisley. However, we cannot stop there. All that investment is fantastic, and we need to bring more people to our town centre, but we must continue to look to the future.”
“The development is projected to create 6,000 jobs and boost Scotland’s manufacturing sector by £535 million, with a plethora of jobs in a plethora of sectors. There is a positivity about Paisley’s historic High Street. That is not just to do with the sound of folk nipping to the local Subway for a cheeky wee sub; it is because of the promise of culture, tourism and new enterprise. That is thanks to the Scottish Government’s commitment to regeneration and innovation. Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Government funding is changing how we look at our high streets. The Paisley museum, which at the very top of the High Street, has had a £45 million investment that will increase footfall there when it opens. That is funded through a plethora of sources, one of which is the Scottish Government.”
“It is not the only tool, but it is a very important one. I will look at what is going on in Paisley and the surrounding district—that is Greater Paisley to me and Renfrewshire to other members—and the can-do attitude there. We have seen record levels of investment in Renfrewshire, with jobs in low-carbon tech and manufacturing. Those are real jobs for real families and will ensure them a better future. On the border between Paisley and Renfrew—I am always careful not to say that the Paisley borders are too expansionist; Renfrew might be a wee toon, but the people are game—we have Scotland’s advanced manufacturing innovation district. That 52-hectare site, which is next to Glasgow airport, is a collaboration project that is led by Renfrewshire Council and supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.”
“Yes, Palestine has been flattened, there is a war in Ukraine and we hear on television non-stop about the rise of the right across the world, but the SNP is talking about talking with people. I will stand by any SNP member who will talk with the people of Scotland, as opposed to talking at them, which is what we hear today from the Opposition parties. They go down the same old tired attack lines. Frankly, I am sick of it and the public are sick of it. It is now time for us to talk with the public as we move towards next year’s election. I cannot wait for that, because it is an important one for all of us. I am quite happy to stand in front of the people of Paisley on my record and that of the SNP Government. As everyone has said, economic growth is an important part of the solution to building a better tomorrow.”
“I will take my time to get up, because, according to Mr Kerr, I have no energy left. I have as much energy now as I had the day that I came in here. I am here for one reason: to help the people of Paisley and ensure that they get the chance for Scotland to be an independent country. That will keep me energised every day that I come into the chamber and in every debate. The First Minister spoke earlier today. I could not attend—I was using some of all the energy that I have in the Education, Children and Young People Committee, where other members and I dealt with all the business that we have there. The First Minister promises hope and delivery, which is the important part of the debate. The programme for government is based on what we have been delivering on over the years. However, in difficult times, people need certainty.”
“Removing peak rail fares from September will greatly benefit my constituents in Paisley, considering that we have one of the busiest train stations in Scotland. However, given that cost is a major barrier to shifting from the car to public transport, what steps has the First Minister outlined in his programme for government to help more people to travel sustainably by bus or train? The First Minister: The steps that we are putting in place on peak rail fares, the support to the bus sector and the active travel work that is under way in the Government are three examples that I would cite to Mr Adam as measures that support the modal shift that is required to support our climate ambitions.”
“The Labour Government was quick to nationalise British Steel in England—good job, guys—but, when it came to Scotland, Grangemouth was suddenly a private matter. Anas Sarwar stood in front of TV cameras and promised to save Grangemouth but then performed the biggest backtrack ever. That is just not good enough. What about project willow, which would be a clear and viable path to transform Grangemouth into a sustainable aviation fuel hub? It is funded jointly and backed by experts but was, once again, ignored in favour of sites in England. Let us not forget carbon capture. Peterhead was shelved and the Acorn project has been delayed again and again while Teesside gets the green light and the money. Daniel Johnson: Will the member take an intervention?”
“Trump’s isolationist trade tantrums are disrupting our supply chains and damaging Scottish exporters, especially in food, drink and manufacturing. On top of all that, Scotland is isolated because we are no longer in the EU or at the top table, thanks to a Brexit that we did not vote for. We are standing outside the world’s largest single market, nose pressed to the glass, while the UK Government hands out trade deals like novelty tea towels and calls that global Britain. Westminster has let Scotland down time and time again. We have painfully and repeatedly seen how successive UK Governments have failed Scotland. Grangemouth, Scotland’s only oil refinery, is critical to energy security and a major source of high-quality jobs.”
“Now, more than ever, Scotland must be a voice for peace, co-operation and fairness across the world stage, which brings me to the issue of Trump’s tariffs and the economic mayhem of his isolation. As if global conflict was not enough, we have another storm to deal with: Trump’s tariffs, because he is back and has brought chaos with him. His economic policy seems to be, if it moves, tariff it; if it does not move, tariff it anyway. We now live in a world where even the poor penguins of the McDonald Islands are subject to a Trump tariff. I do not know what the penguins did to him, but perhaps when he heard “McDonald” he thought that it was a good business opportunity for them. Frankly, they would probably still make better economic decisions than the man himself.”