Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 04 March 2021
04 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
International Women’s Day 2021
I am very glad that I took that intervention.
Finally, I offer a special thank you to my mum, Moira, my sister, Siobhan, and my mother-in-law, Rita, for all their help, particularly with essential and much-valued childcare, which made it possible for me to be part of the Scottish Parliament in the beginning.?Last, but far from least, I thank my very supportive husband, Vann, and my son, Vann.
It has been an honour and a privilege—as well as a challenge, at times—to represent my home area of Coatbridge and Chryston, and, latterly, Central Scotland, as a Scottish Labour MSP since 1999. I wish our new leader, Anas Sarwar, my MSP comrades and sisters, and all the MSPs who are standing down—particularly the class of ’99—all the best for the future.
I will finish with the words of Clara Zetkin, who, at the international conference of working women in 1910, proposed the famous motion to celebrate women annually on an international basis:
“The vote for women will unite our strength in the struggle for socialism.”
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
We are running quite early on business, but we will move to the next item, which is a debate on international women’s day 2021 #ChooseToChallenge. I invite a...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
In a year when we have had precious little to celebrate, I am delighted to have the opportunity to recognise the amazing achievements of women across Scotlan...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
The cabinet secretary passed too quickly on health, before I could make an intervention, so forgive me. An excellent thing that the Government could do in th...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
I recognise the work that Neil Findlay has done on that issue over many years. As he knows, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport is looking at that clo...
Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I hope that the cabinet secretary agrees that that should include challenging the systems in this Parliament, because we can see that younger women and, in p...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
As someone who did not get any maternity leave when I had my two children, I absolutely take on board that point. We have probably hyped up how family friend...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
Members should note that the minute and second display on the clocks will start working now—not that it was a problem for you, cabinet secretary. It is to as...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to open for the Scottish Conservatives in this international women’s day debate. Like others in the chamber, I am committed to ensuring that h...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Elaine Smith to open for Labour. This is Ms Smith’s last speech in the chamber. I never thought that I would be saying that, Ms Smith. 16:11
Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, with regard to my Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Bil...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Elaine Smith
Lab
Presiding Officer, can I take an intervention, or do you wish me to finish?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I was going to say that I thought members knew that it is protocol, although not the law, that we try to let members who are making their last speech go unin...
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
I did not know that, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I know that you did not. Elaine Smith is such a lady, she will take your intervention.
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
Presiding Officer, I think that you might now realise why I wanted to get to my feet before Elaine Smith finishes. Elaine and I are, so far, the only two peo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You have redeemed yourself, Mr MacGregor.
Elaine Smith
Lab
I am very glad that I took that intervention. Finally, I offer a special thank you to my mum, Moira, my sister, Siobhan, and my mother-in-law, Rita, for all...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
If all interventions are like that, I see no problem in members taking them. 16:21
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
The theme of this year’s international women’s day, #ChooseToChallenge, is thought provoking and motivating. Those of us who are privileged enough to be in P...
Elaine Smith
Lab
Members probably thought that I had spoken my last word. On the way down the hill today, I noticed that almost all the quotes on the Parliament’s wall are f...
Alison Johnstone
Green
Thank you. That point is well made, and I agree whole-heartedly. As the cabinet secretary said, in many ways, it has taken a pandemic for us to recognise th...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
Equality is one of the four founding principles of the Scottish Parliament and it should be at the core of everything that we do here, yet more than 20 years...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
#ChooseToChallenge is the theme for this year’s international women’s day. Challenge is healthy, helpful and, when constructive and persistent, it is ultimat...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I am pleased that I am able to participate in what is an important debate to mark international women’s day. As the father of twin girls, Keziah and Ellie, I...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Gail Ross. I understand that this is Ms Ross’s final speech. 16:41
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
As we have heard, the subject of international women’s day this year is #ChooseToChallenge, and challenge I will. In fact, I have been quite challenging all ...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am not sure how I can follow that, but I thank Gail Ross and Elaine Smith. Both of whom, in their different ways, have played important parts in my parliam...
Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
SNP
As many of us have said, the theme of this year’s international women’s day is “choose to challenge”. It is good to see so many challenging women speaking to...
Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is a privilege, as a father of three daughters, for me to join in this debate and celebrate the important, upcoming event of international women’s day nex...