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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,095,827 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,357. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 10 Jun 2026.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

That concludes decision time.18:01Members’ business will be published tomorrow, 11 June 2026, as soon as the text is available.The rest of this Official Report will be published progressively as soon as the text is available.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, is: For 71, Against 50, Abstentions 0.Motion, as amended, agreed to,That the Parliament believes there is a need to restore publi...

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, ...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Your vote has been recorded.

Joe Long (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Your vote has been recorded.

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Jenny Gilruth) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.The vote is closed.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The final question is, that motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, is: For 53, Against 70, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAhmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD)Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform)Bibby, Neil...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, is: For 70, Against 53, Abstentions 0.Amendment agreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, 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 (Midlothi...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, is: For 55, Against 68, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, 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 (Midlothi...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

We move to the vote on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar. Members should cast their votes now.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.17:53Meeting suspended.17:55On resuming—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business.I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Jamie Hepburn is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Ross Greer will fall.The first question is, that amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepbu...

Speaker unknown Chamber

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Business Motion

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-00301, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees—(a) the following programme of business—Tuesday 16 June 20262....

Speaker unknown Chamber

Business Motion

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That concludes the debate on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics.

Jackie Baillie Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The minister misunderstands and is clearly not listening. The people of Scotland are interested in those wider questions, but that is not what I am suggesting the inquiry should do. I have been very clear on that point.Let me go back to what Robin McAlpine had to say about dem...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I find it interesting that, although Ms Baillie said that it is not for others to take an interest in the SNP’s internal affairs, she is now talking extensively about the appointment of a KC and the thin nature of our internal governance review. It seems that she is taking an ...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The key and absolute qualification for any First Minister of Scotland is that“that individual must be able to command the trust of the Parliament and the public.”—Official Report, 28 November 2001; c 4118.Those are not my words but those of John Swinney and, on that point, we ...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

No, I do not, so let us move on.The point that I was going to make was one that I made earlier: it is important that, as an institution, we focus on matters that are of primary interest and of paramount importance to the people of Scotland. Instead of raising issues like this,...

Russell Findlay Con Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I remember how sleazy, arrogant and entitled Labour became when it dominated Scottish politics. Does the minister see that at all in his party?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I will give way to Mr Findlay.

Russell Findlay Con Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the member give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

: —that the SNP has won five elections in a row. It has earned the trust of the people for five elections in a row. It is just a matter of fact—there is no arrogance about it; it is just a reality.I think that it is important that we—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Please speak through the chair.

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

It was the mindset that Murrell had.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

It is not a mindset but a matter of fact—

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That is your mindset.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

There are two things there. First, the public can be confident that the crime that has been perpetrated has been fully investigated and prosecuted and there is now a plea. I do not think that any of us is suggesting that there is a lack of confidence in that process—I certainl...

Willie Rennie LD Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That is a very generous offer, but I will have to decline.The minister is talking about the SNP investigating itself. How does that improve the confidence of the public in the Government party in this country?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I do not think that Mr Rennie is one of those SNP members, but maybe he wants to apply to join—we might let him come on board.I will give way one more time, to Mr Rennie.

Willie Rennie LD Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the minister give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That brings me to a point that I was going to make later, because it picks up on a point that Willie Rennie made—I see that Mr Rennie is now paying attention to me. He made the point that my party does not want to do anything in response to some of the issues that have arisen ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The minister does not want to accept questions coming from other parts of the chamber. Does he accept that questions are also coming from people who served his party, both in the NEC and in Parliaments? Those people are saying that blocks and obstructions were put in the way o...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I will give way one more time.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the minister give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That was a wonderful pre-prepared line delivered tremendously well, Ms Lindsay. We look forward to much more of that.The past few weeks have been uncomfortable, difficult and very distressing for many of us—I will not pretend otherwise. No one would believe me if I did. Howeve...

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The only thing that I would say in response to that is that the SNP lecturing Reform on sleaze is like Lord Mandelson selling ethics lessons. No one is buying it.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I say to Amanda Lindsay that I might take more seriously the notion that my party operated like a syndicate if her party was not one that had been formed as a private limited company that is owned by one individual. Let us just remember where we are all starting from. Interrup...

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Yet, when it comes to holding one of its own to account for embezzling party funds, the urgency mysteriously disappears.Meanwhile, Scottish Labour, which called this debate, might want to reflect on its party’s sleazy history. After all, its hero, Lord Mandelson, was twice for...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The member must be heard.

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Instead of full transparency, we have had silence, deflection and obstruction. The First Minister likes to lecture others about integrity, yet he still refuses to put country before party. If he truly believes in restoring public trust, he must stop hiding behind lawyers and f...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

No, no, minister. The member does not have to take interventions.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Forgive me, but I wish to make progress.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the member give way?

Amanda Lindsay (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I support this debate and back calls for a full parliamentary inquiry into the shocking embezzlement of party funds by Peter Murrell.The Scottish people deserve the truth. For years, the SNP has presented itself as a slick, professional political machine. In reality, it has op...

Patrick Harvie Green Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I think that Anas Sarwar would be horrified if a former or a current leader of a political party told its members how they should vote on a committee decision. Interruption. That is for committees to decide, and I am not going to instruct any—Interruption. Look at him laughing...

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Mr Harvie says that committees in this Parliament could investigate certain prosecutions. To clarify, if a motion came to the justice committee, would his party support such an investigation by the justice committee?

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I beg your pardon, Presiding Officer. I was just discovering how much some speeches improve when I remove my hearing aids.Sadly, today, we have very much seen the debate that I expected. There has been some opportunistic partisanship dressed up as principled concern, and there...

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 11 November 2015

11 Nov 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Energy Storage Network

MacKenzie, Mike SNP Highlands and Islands Watch on SPTV

I am pleased to have secured this debate in order to shine a light on energy storage, because energy storage is an often forgotten and sometimes undervalued aspect of our energy system, yet it is a fundamental and critical part of that system. I am grateful to Scottish Renewables for its report “Energy storage: The Basics”, because I have perhaps been as guilty as anyone in not previously properly considering and giving due prominence to the important matter of energy storage.

Before I continue, I would like to do something that I do not believe I have ever done before in the chamber. Indeed, it is something that I may never do again. I want to pay a tribute to a Labour politician; I want to pay a tribute to the late, great Labour Secretary of State for Scotland, Tom Johnston. It was Tom Johnston who brought hydro power to the Highlands and Islands, bringing into being both hydroelectricity generation and pumped storage on a scale that we have not since matched. In doing so, he left us a legacy that continues to benefit the Highlands and Islands to this day.

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-14440, in the name of Mike MacKenzie, on the energy storage network. The debate ...

Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to have secured this debate in order to shine a light on energy storage, because energy storage is an often forgotten and sometimes undervalued ...

Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) SNP

It would be useful for the member to know that the admiration for Tom Johnston spreads across the chamber. I seem to remember that a portrait of Tom Johnston...

Mike MacKenzie SNP

I am grateful to Mr Russell for that information. I had not realised that Tom Johnston’s portrait was in Bute house. In Tom Johnston’s wisdom he recognised ...

Alex Salmond (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Tom Johnston also tried to exterminate the Scots midge, but that was less successful. The point that I was going to make was that he took emergency legislati...

Mike MacKenzie SNP

I am very grateful to Mr Salmond for that further information. Like midges, a lot of small Scotsmen are equally difficult to exterminate. Energy storage is ...

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

I thank Mike MacKenzie and congratulate him on securing the debate. It might not look like the most exciting issue that we will debate this week, but it is p...

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I, too, congratulate my friend Mike MacKenzie on securing this important and timely debate. Last year, I was delighted to host an event in Parliament with H...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

You need to close, please.

Joan McAlpine SNP

I am just finishing. During last week’s crisis, the price that National Grid paid to some generators reached £2,500 per megawatt hour when it is normally £5...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I must now ask members to keep to four minutes. Even if they do so, given the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate I am minded to accept a...

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

One of the first things that I was ever taught in a science class was that energy can never be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to ...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Does the member agree that the kind of pumped storage scheme that I see on the Falls of Clyde and across Scotland is a much better model than the centralised...

Alex Johnstone Con

I might have time later to get on to the subject of diversity of energy sources, which is something that I believe in. The other point that I wanted to make...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Alex Johnstone Con

If we fail to be diverse in our energy sources, we run a much greater risk of that power not coming on. 17:28

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP

First of all, Presiding Officer, I must apologise to you and Mike MacKenzie for not being able to stay until the end of the debate. I thank Mike MacKenzie f...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I, too, congratulate Mike MacKenzie on securing this important debate and I join him in acknowledging and welcoming the work that Scottish Renewables has don...

Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) SNP

I, too, thank Mike MacKenzie for bringing this important debate to us. I also thank him for the history lesson about Tom Johnston. I have a family connection...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

Other members have mentioned Tom Johnston, but one key aspiration that he had has not yet been referred to. He imagined that, with the building of hydroelect...

The Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism (Fergus Ewing) SNP

It has been an excellent debate, and I thank Mike MacKenzie for securing it. I very much welcome the Scottish Renewables paper “Energy Storage: The Basics”...

Sarah Boyack Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Fergus Ewing SNP

I would really like to make these points. I am very sorry but I need to make progress. That expert group should comprise senior officials and it should be s...