Brian Whittle
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“As Jamie Halcro Johnston said, roads, rail networks and ferries—we keep coming back to ferries—are key to keeping those communities where they are and stopping migration away from them. The chamber will welcome the fact that this— eventually—is my last speech in this parliamentary session.”
“Speaking as somebody who got his first mobile phone—a brick of a thing—at the age of 32, I find that quite astonishing. It is important that pupils have the opportunity to put their phones down in school, but also important is what happens outside school.”
“As always, I want to introduce a slightly different approach to the subject and so I will talk about how we should develop health policy. We must start from the position that services should be available to our communities no matter where they are, whether they are urban, rural or on islands.”
“It is interesting that the girls attitudes survey carried out by Girlguiding UK in 2025 found that girls are restricting their online activity in order to protect themselves, with more than a third of respondents reporting that they avoid using certain apps and platforms in order to protect themselves.”
“It is a pleasure to follow Beatrice Wishart, who, as we all know, has been a real champion for her communities in the time that she has spent here.”
“That was an interesting question from Mr Harvie, as the Scottish Greens have spent the majority of this session of Parliament demonising our farmers and food producers.”
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“Following the changes, my constituent—who is on the NHS waiting list for a double knee replacement, which affects his mobility—must now make an appointment with a GP to get his prescription, take the prescription to the pharmacy, then phone his closest community treatment and care service, which is in Larkhall, to make an appointment for the injection, and then take a three-hour round-trip journey on a bus that he reports does not run according to the timetable. What used to take a single appointment at his GP now takes him days. When we asked NHS Lanarkshire what could be done to reduce the journey that my constituent must undertake in order to get a simple, routine injection, the advice was that he could join a self- administration pilot or select a closer treatment service.”
“I thank my friend and colleague Finlay Carson for securing the debate, which I have been listening to intently. I did not map out a speech—I thought that I would just listen to what everybody had to say— but I will draw members’ attention to an issue that happened with one of my constituents, which I think highlights exactly what we are talking about today. An elderly constituent approached me after a change in policy in rural Lanarkshire. He must get a vitamin B injection every 12 weeks. Previously, that was done at his local GP surgery, which was a 10-minute walk from his home.”
“It is only when the Scottish Government wakes up to the economic opportunity that increasing apprenticeship places would offer that our economy will reach its potential. After 18 years of SNP mismanagement, however, it is obvious that it will not come from that department. 15:44”
“A lack of foresight means that there is a lack of opportunity for pupils. If someone is academically minded and good at exams, there is a pathway for them through the education system to university and beyond, but what about a pathway for those who would excel in travelling the foundation apprenticeship route into modern apprenticeships and on to successful careers? That is just as viable a route into great careers, but it is hugely undervalued by the Government. We need careers advice in schools that enthuses pupils to consider the pathways into great local careers. That should include recruiting local industry to showcase opportunity, but we need a Government that will match that industry need with an investment in our education system that speaks directly to it.”
“XLCC plans to operate 200 apprenticeships by 2030, once its plant at Hunterston is operational. Again, the company is working with Ayrshire College to develop that skill set. The companies in the engineering cluster around Prestwick are also looking to expand. The limiting factor in that economic expansion is access to constant apprenticeship throughput. Meanwhile, Ayrshire College has reported that some 834 applications from qualified applicants for apprenticeship places have had to be turned away because of lack of Government funding. Those include 400 places in engineering, 120 in apprenticeships and 71 in social care. So much for the issues in social care staffing being only down to immigration; we cannot even give people in local communities the opportunity to work in social care. The same is true for foundation apprenticeships.”
“Among the many fantastic FE colleges across Scotland, Ayrshire College is a shining example of what can be achieved. It is working closely with local industry to develop apprenticeship programmes that are required in engineering, including in aerospace, trades and social care. Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd, which is based at Prestwick airport and services Ryanair aircraft, is desperate to expand its operation and create more than 700 jobs. It is working with Ayrshire College to develop an apprenticeship programme in engineering and aircraft maintenance. PAML already contributes millions of pounds to the Scottish tax take, yet it told me last week that it is having to recruit from as far afield as Ethiopia and Turkey because of the lack of local apprenticeships.”
“I have often said in the chamber that education is the cornerstone of every portfolio. I came into this place saying that education was the solution to health and welfare issues. A good education leads to decent, well-paid jobs, which has an impact on predicted health outcomes, leading to a reduction in the pressure on our national health service. Decent, well-paid jobs also lead to a higher tax take, which allows for greater investment in our public services. The alternative is increased pressure on the welfare budget, which is exactly what we are seeing from the SNP Government. The Government’s one-dimensional thinking is exactly what is holding back Scotland’s economic potential and starving our pupils and those wishing to upskill of those important opportunities.”
“As always, I am delighted to speak in support of our education and skills sector. It is great to see Labour at long last accepting what I and my colleagues on the Conservative benches have been demanding in skills development for years. It shows that members of other parties, even if they are a little late, can join us and be persuaded to get on the right path. Who would have thought that we would be debating the idea that we should be matching skills development with industry need? What has the Scottish Government been doing for the past 18 years? The answer is that there has been an on-going systematic dismantling of the FE sector. At a time when we desperately need a huge increase in apprenticeship numbers, the Scottish Government has squeezed funding for our colleges, forcing cuts year after year.”
“We must ensure that, next summer, both the Commonwealth games and the men’s world cup leave a lasting legacy that increases participation, and that we maximise the commercial, economic and tourism opportunities. We must continue to show ourselves in the best possible light internationally, as the tartan army always does at international games and tournaments. I am more than happy to continue to work on a cross-party basis to do that.”
“I watched the football last night in the company of Kenny Gibson, Liam McArthur and Stuart McMillan. Who would have guessed that beneath the calm, suave and sophisticated air that Kenny Gibson exudes beats the heart of an absolute maniac? The way in which we celebrated the win last night shows that sport is a huge unifier that can engage a nation. How will the cabinet secretary ensure that this world cup leaves a full legacy and has a positive influence on participation and overall health? Neil Gray: Brian Whittle will know, given our athletics history—his more successful than mine— that I absolutely understand the power of sport to change lives and bring people together. That is similarly evidenced by our sports minister, Maree Todd.”
“Nor have we waited for that; we have increased investment in general practice this year as well. That is because we recognise—as I know Mr Whittle does—the need to shift the balance of care and move to a more preventative approach, and that starts with primary and community care that is led by general practice.”
“That is why the work that we have done on vaccination leading into this year is so important, why the marketing campaign is directed as it is, why we are explicit in our messaging around ensuring that people who are eligible are getting access to the vaccination programmes, and why we are supporting parents to do so for their children. Mr Whittle references investment in primary care and GPs, which gives me the opportunity to say that the investment that is coming is the single greatest increase in investment in general practice that has ever been delivered in Scotland. It has been delivered by negotiation and consensus with the Scottish committee of general practitioners of the British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners.”
“Does he accept that it might have been better had he woken up to these entirely predictable issues before November? Neil Gray: On the timing, the statement that I bring to Parliament—as I said in my statement, which Brian Whittle had advance sight of—is not the start of the process for winter planning. That has been under way for months. Indeed, as I said in my statement, it began last winter, when we learned lessons from the seriousness of the situation when, as Brian Whittle describes, there was an unprecedented spike in flu cases.”
“The Scottish Government has announced more funding for general practitioners, but that will come in future years and will not come close to the cuts that have seen GPs’ share of NHS funding fall from 11 to 6 per cent. The Government announced walk-in GP clinics, but the location of the first one has not yet been chosen. This year’s flu outbreak is predicted to be one of the worst in years, but the vaccination rate among healthcare staff fell to 35 per cent last year. Members of the public who are being offered flu and Covid jabs are being told by health boards that they will not get them until well into December, despite cases of both viruses already being on the rise. That hardly points to any level of preparedness. How does the cabinet secretary propose to properly fund primary care and get more people vaccinated more quickly?”
“I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement. Christmas will be on 25 December this year, and Hogmanay will be on 31 December—I mention that to the cabinet secretary because, given the lateness of his statement, I can only assume that the Scottish Government has somehow missed the fact that winter typically comes round once a year, after autumn. If it can miss that, who knows what other annual events might sneak up on it? Last winter was one of the toughest that Scotland’s NHS has ever faced, and this year looks set to be worse. Patient waits for ambulances can be measured in hours or days, not minutes. Delayed discharge is still a massive issue—a decade after the Scottish National Party pledged to end it—and one in six Scots is on a waiting list.”
“Where they cannot, and where the Scottish Government believes that such a service is necessary, as it is in many rural areas in my region, the money should be found to support those services, recognising the economic and social benefits that good public transport links can bring. Passengers across Scotland must have a reliable bus service that is clean, safe and punctual. Only then should we be talking about spending more public money on ever more expensive freebies. 16:43”
“We know that the provision of good public transport infrastructure not only encourages people out of their cars but actually improves public health, as people choose to walk or cycle from the bus stop. Nevertheless, we continue to see an inconsistent approach to ensuring that key transport facilities and routes align with each other. Fiona Hyslop: Will the member give way? Brian Whittle: I am sorry—I do not have any time. I would love to extend the debate. While the Scottish Greens continue to peddle ideological fantasies as the solution to the challenges that Scotland’s bus services face, we, on the Scottish Conservative benches, prefer to deal with reality. Private sector providers are not the enemy of good bus services; they are an essential part of those services. Where they can run a bus service profitably, they should do so.”
“In Kilmarnock, antisocial behaviour in the bus station by young people, many of whom travel from outside the town, has been such an issue that it has required on-going interventions by Police Scotland and East Ayrshire Council. Time and again, I hear from constituents who feel unsafe using the bus station and avoid it after dark. That is not easy for anyone who commutes to and from work in the winter months. Of course, antisocial behaviour is not the only issue with bus services. Although we often talk of public transport as though it is a single entity, a brief look at the bus and train timetables would tell us that that is not the case. That is not to mention the lack of joined-up infrastructure more generally.”
“Giving young people the opportunity to travel to and from education or work and to visit more distant friends and family without the cost of bus fare is not a bad idea. However, it comes with a cost, not only in the troubling increase in antisocial behaviour both on buses and in bus stations, but in the other improvements to services that are not made because funds have been directed to subsidise free bus travel. Every policy comes with a trade-off, and it seems that we are sacrificing funding support for the basics in order to support and expand giveaways such as free bus travel. Far too often in recent years, I have dealt with reports of antisocial behaviour by young people that is deterring other bus users from travelling.”
“They return to their safe space of demanding more free stuff that is paid for out of rising Government spending funded by ever-higher taxes on Scots, whereas I believe that the solutions lie in supporting the market to operate more effectively and that, if Scotland is going to offer young people the privilege of unlimited free bus travel at the taxpayers’ expense, there should be serious consequences for abusing that privilege. I await with interest the Scottish Government’s introducing legislation to address that matter. The motion is a classic example of how the Scottish Greens approach policy: they call for lots of nice-sounding stuff and leave the practicalities to somebody else. An example is free bus travel for under-22s, which the Greens are now saying should be expanded. In principle, there is a lot to like.”
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in the debate. Public transport is one of the most important issues to my constituents, and bus services are the most common source of complaint or concern, especially in rural areas. I imagine that this will be as much of a shock to the Scottish Greens as it was to me, but I actually find points of agreement with their motion on the issue. They are quite correct to say “that communities across Scotland deserve affordable, accessible and reliable bus services”. At that point, unfortunately, our views diverge.”
“That is the whole point, but somehow that message is not getting to the communities that it needs to reach, and it is that lack of awareness that we need to address. 17:53”
“It is thought that physical activity may lower certain hormones and inflammation, helping to reduce the risk of breast cancer developing or progressing. We knew that 13 years ago but, according to the latest Scottish health survey, in 2024, only six in 10 adults in Scotland met the recommended levels of physical activity. The data has not significantly moved since 2012. Thirteen years ago, Sara Hiom, director of information at Cancer Research UK, said that we would be pleased to hear that “You don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete”. I am pleased to hear that. Exercise can include anything that leaves us slightly out of breath, such as doing the garden, walking the dog or housework.”
“AI gives health professionals more time with their patients and allows them to offer more personalised care and better patient choices. We need to invest in healthcare technology in Scotland’s NHS to make that the standard and give our NHS professionals the tools that they need to make a difference. Alongside screening sits prevention. The European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition—EPIC-Europe—which is co-funded by Cancer Research UK, is one of the biggest studies into the links between diet, lifestyle and cancer. Thirteen years ago, it found that those who were most physically active were 13 per cent less likely to develop breast cancer and that those who were moderately active had an 8 per cent lower chance of developing breast cancer.”
“Without knowing how many secondary breast cancer patients Scotland really has, how can the Scottish Government recruit enough specialists or properly workforce plan for tailored cancer services and support? Could screening and preventative health measures have reduced the risk? I acknowledge that the debate is focused on supporting people living with secondary breast cancer but, predictably, I turn my thoughts to what we can do more of before that diagnosis. Artificial intelligence is transforming breast cancer imaging across multiple modalities, such as mammography, ultrasound, MRI and tomosynthesis. Recent studies show that AI can match—or, dare I say, outperform—radiologists in image reporting, which helps to reduce human error. However, its strength lies in amplification— doing more—and not in automation.”
“Public Health Scotland’s estimates only count people who had secondary breast cancer as their initial diagnosis and do not count diagnosis following a recurrence or spread of the disease. That is concerning, because breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women under 50. We could reduce that statistic if data was collated both from those who were initially diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and from those who developed secondary breast cancer after an initial breast cancer diagnosis. That would help us to understand which populations see a recurrence of breast cancer and why, which treatments both sets of patients are accessing, what is working, which patients could try new treatments and whether both types of patients are getting the support that they need to cope with their diagnosis.”
“I thank my colleague Emma Harper for bringing this debate to the chamber. Secondary breast cancer occurs when cancer cells spread beyond the breast, often months or years after the primary diagnosis. It can also be found at the same time or even before the primary cancer. By the end of 2023, for 4,202 patients in Scotland, it was their initial diagnosis. Despite the Scottish Government’s commitment in its 2016 strategy, “Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action”, and in its “Cancer Action Plan for Scotland 2023-2026” to improve data collection on secondary and metastatic cancers, data for secondary breast cancer is currently not routinely or consistently collected across Scotland.”
“There will be a short pause before we move to the final item of business. Secondary Breast Cancer”
“As has been stated, the north-east of Scotland has more people engaged in the offshore energy industry than anywhere else in the UK, and we appreciate and understand that the risks of energy transition will be felt more acutely in that region. That is why we have invested more than £120 million in the north-east through our energy transition fund and just transition fund, supporting supply chains, delivering growth and helping workers to access new opportunities. We will continue to do that and to undertake other initiatives. If members with an interest in the matter want to write to me, I can supply more information on the initiatives that are being undertaken, and we will seek to keep members informed. There is so much more that we could discuss, but I will conclude on that point. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate.”
“Does the minister agree that we need to be logical in all this rather than illogical? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Minister, please start to conclude. Ben Macpherson: I think that we do. We also have to be collaborative and not combative, because, for all communities in Scotland, there is such a challenge from the impact on the economy, the necessity of energy security for everyone and the interaction between, as things stand, the UK and other Governments. Today’s debate has been important and useful in the collective discussion. I and other ministers will welcome further dialogue on these matters. There are important considerations with regard to skills.”
“It is important to emphasise that these are global energy markets of supply and demand. It is not as simple as either/or, as the situation has been portrayed. We need to think about that carefully. I am conscious of time, Presiding Officer, but I will take Kevin Stewart’s intervention. Kevin Stewart: I thank the minister for giving way. To follow up on Mr Kerr’s point, I think that the logic and the Climate Change Committee’s figures on the UK’s oil and gas requirements over the piece to 2050 clearly show that, if we shut down the North Sea too quickly, we will be much more reliant on imports from the United States and Qatar. It has been pointed out that bringing liquefied natural gas from the United States has three times the carbon footprint of taking oil and gas out of the North Sea. That is illogical.”
“Will the minister take an intervention? Kevin Stewart: Will the minister give way? Ben Macpherson: I will take Liam Kerr, and try to bring in the other members if I can. Liam Kerr: I wanted to give the minister the opportunity to respond to Clare Adamson’s intervention on that point. I think that we all accept that demand is not going away. Therefore, the less we get domestically, the more we must import, at higher emissions, from regimes that are less well regulated and not so clean, as Fergus Ewing pointed out. Does the minister agree that the environmentally responsible thing to do is to get oil and gas from the North Sea? Ben Macpherson: Important considerations have been raised in those points, which I am sure will be debated during tomorrow’s discussion in the Parliament.”
“Those questions matter, and I hope that the Scottish Government will consider them as the bill progresses. 15:37”
“I want Euro 2028 to come to Scotland and succeed, but a successful tournament must bring benefits to Scotland long after the football circus has packed up and left town. If it becomes an event that lands in the country, closes itself off from the economy and disrupts lives and livelihoods for no lasting gain, I will not judge it a success. Just as I have spoken previously about the importance of legacy from fantastic events such as the Commonwealth games, so, too, must we consider the legacy of Euro 2028. The bill is an opportunity to do that, because legacy is not necessarily just about investing in shiny new facilities or supporting grass-roots sport— although, obviously, I welcome all of that. Legacy is also in the memory of the event. Was there a welcoming atmosphere? Did Scots feel part of it?”
“On ticket touting, although I agree that reselling tickets at vastly inflated rates to desperate fans is an issue that needs to be addressed, I argue that legislating piecemeal for specific events feels like an ineffective approach in the long run. The issue may arise in the public consciousness only when we read reports of resellers offering tickets for major concerts or sporting events at ludicrous premiums, but it should be tackled. The passion that fans have should not be an opportunity for touts to exploit. Both the Scottish and UK Governments should do more to protect fans from that cynical practice. In fact, it will take a unified approach from all UEFA members to tackle ticket touting effectively.”
“Most people will not necessarily notice the effects of the legislation; however, it is critical that sufficient time and effort is used to inform those whom it affects. The broad restrictions on street trading and advertising, while understandable, raise questions about how the Scottish Government and UEFA balance the commercial interests of the tournament against giving established local traders an opportunity to benefit from the increased footfall. Many major sporting events, from the Olympic games to the open championship, struggle with that balance, but that alone cannot be an excuse for local traders taking a financial penalty.”
“That means not only being a good host for the tournament and the many international visitors that it will bring, but also ensuring that the tournament is both welcoming to and welcomed by Scots. Some aspects of the bill unquestionably cause concern in that regard. Although I appreciate that there are requirements that UEFA and other international sporting bodies demand of any host country on issues such as ticket touting, street trading and advertising, some of the powers that are granted in the bill seem a tad heavy handed. I am therefore pleased that the bill is being presented well in advance of the event, noting that a lack of time for communication with the public was highlighted as an issue with the previous legislation for Euro 2020.”
“As other speakers have said, Euro 2028 offers Scotland an exceptional opportunity to show itself off on a world stage, not only on the pitch, but more widely across the country. Football holds a special place in the hearts of many Scots, and Scotland’s tartan army is always a great ambassador for us across the world. Euro 2028 is an opportunity for us to welcome football fans from around the world to our shores, and all of us on the Conservative benches want us to make the most of that opportunity. That is why, as my colleague Stephen Kerr alluded to, we have a responsibility to ensure that our preparations, including the bill, leave us ready to be a welcoming and effective host.”
“Thank you. We are now back on time. It is always a pleasure to follow George Adam when we are discussing football. I am sure that it will not surprise members to hear that I am pleased to speak in this debate about bringing a major international sporting event to Scotland. I have spoken many times about the influence of sport, but I welcome this opportunity to do so again and to speak about how it brings culture and resilience—goodness knows, our Scottish supporters sometimes need that—as well as togetherness and confidence. As well as health benefits, sport can also engender aspiration, hope and community. Bringing such international sporting events to Scotland is part of a jigsaw that can help us to move from being a nation of sport watchers to a nation of participation.”
“I feel very strongly about the member’s first point regarding antisocial behaviour and have convened a meeting of all partners, including the rail unions. A range of activity is under way, including the potential extension of penalty charge notices, the use of body-worn cameras by staff, the provision of help points and closed-circuit television on platforms. All those measures give comfort, as does increased staff visibility, which we know gives people more confidence. I am actively working on all those areas, including our travel safe team, which has been expanded in Edinburgh. Ardrossan Harbour 2.”
“A regular and reliable rail service plays an important role in both supporting the local economy and connecting people across communities, but those services must be welcoming to passengers. Several constituents have recently contacted me with concerns about antisocial behaviour and even about the basic cleanliness of carriages on that service. Does the cabinet secretary recognise the importance of maintaining basic quality standards of safety and hygiene? What specific measures are being taken to taken to deal with those issues on the Glasgow to Kilmarnock service? Fiona Hyslop: I encourage passengers to report any particular concerns. Scotland’s inspection regime is robust, precisely to ensure that standards are maintained.”
“I understand that his constituent spoke to and gave evidence to the patient safety commissioner on those issues. As I said to Stephen Kerr, I am absolutely clear in my expectations for the culture of the NHS and, indeed, wider public services around candour, disclosure and transparency. I am not interested in the protection of reputations. I am interested in ensuring the safe delivery of services and ensuring that our staff feel confident that they can raise concerns where they have them, and that they can go about their jobs to deliver the incredible, world-leading, compassionate and professional care that they do in the NHS here in Scotland. The Presiding Officer: That concludes the urgent statement. Urgent Question 15:31 Asylum Seekers (Accommodation)”
“I should declare an interest, because I have a daughter who is a midwife. Listening to the cabinet secretary’s statement today, and to the questions and answers, spins me back to the start of my political career, nearly 10 years ago, when one of my first cases was a constituent who, tragically, had lost a child in childbirth. Over an extended period, we worked out that Crosshouse hospital was nearly 24 neonatal staff short, and that of course was addressed, but here we are, nearly a decade later. My colleague raised the issue of reputational management. How do we get past that? How do we get NHS boards to bin the idea of protecting reputation and reputational management, so that we can learn from mistakes that are made? Neil Gray: I thank Brian Whittle for that.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Quite frankly, like my colleague Edward Mountain, I find the comments by the cabinet secretary and Rhoda Grant disingenuous and, at best, anecdotal. Mairi Gougeon: I am bemused as to how Brian Whittle can say that when his amendments clearly state that there would be obligations on community-owned bodies that owned more than 50 hectares of land. That would be treating them differently. Does he not recognise that? Brian Whittle: Not at all. My amendments would bring them into line with the same standards that we have for every other land ownership. The amendments would not put any greater burden on them whatsoever. As I said, the cabinet secretary is being quite disingenuous in saying that. I press amendment 252. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 252 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.”
“There is absolutely no reason why we should ask volunteer-led groups that have taken ownership of relatively modest amounts of land to meet higher standards than those that must be met by those who own the greatest amounts of land in the country. That is why I urge all members to oppose the amendments in the group. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Brian Whittle to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 252. Brian Whittle: The comments that have been made by the cabinet secretary and Rhoda Grant are, at best, anecdotal and are not based on any evidence whatsoever. The whole point of my amendments is to ensure that land ownership is developed to the same standard. At the end of the day, surely it is not about who owns the land but about how the land is used.”
“However, with his amendments in this group, he would place greater burdens on communities than would exist for the largest landowners in the country. That is where I agree with the sentiments that have been expressed by Rhoda Grant. The measures that we have put forward in the bill will apply equally to all landholdings over 1,000 hectares. That is proportionate and supported by evidence produced by the Scottish Land Commission. Brian Whittle, on the other hand, would like to apply the same measures to any land over 50 hectares that has been bought by a community body. His other amendments similarly place additional burdens on community bodies for no clear benefit. Brian Whittle is trying to introduce a double standard.”
“I know plenty of landowners across Scotland who work very hard with their local communities. I gave an example at the beginning, which I am sure Ms Grant will know about, of a private landowner who kept open a school that Highland Council had agreed to close. The only reason that it stayed open and managed to get the pupils that it needed to stay open was because of the dedication and commitment of that private landowner. Ms Grant’s comments are totally disingenuous and unhelpful. I support the amendments by Brian Whittle in the group—I hope that that does not jinx them. Mairi Gougeon: Normally when Brian Whittle speaks in the chamber, his contributions are about the need to support rural communities.”
“Edward Mountain: I rise to speak in support of Brian Whittle’s amendments, which I believe are entirely sensible and try to help community bodies to work out their organisational and succession planning. Amendment 259 makes it clear that, once a community body has purchased an area of land that has a plan, it must stick by that plan, but it can review the plan no later than two years after the purchase and come up with its own plan. That would help them and provide guidance. I agree with Mr Whittle that the amendments do not place a greater burden on community bodies than they do on private landowners. I find the comment that community bodies are naturally better than private landowners because they are working for the community to be somewhat strange.”
“The amendments show clearly that the Conservatives have no truck with community ownership of land, which is already democratic and operates in the best interests of the community. Brian Whittle: I will correct what Rhoda Grant just said. My amendments are there to hold all land ownership to the same standard. They are not holding anybody above anybody else—it is the same standard. Rhoda Grant: Community groups already hold themselves to a higher standard than private lairds, because they are working for the benefit of their communities rather than for their personal interests. They are democratically elected by their communities. Therefore, I urge members to vote against the amendments.”