Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 22 December 2021
22 Dec 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Dumfries City Status
I thank Colin Smyth for taking my intervention, given the time constraints—I know that I went over.
I really appreciate that Colin Smyth has mentioned the Queen of the South fitba team and the fantastic Crichton estate. Does he agree that projects such as the People’s Project and Alive Radio, and a lot of community support, are out there for the city status bid, and that the whole engagement process is about the community leading the bid from day 1?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-02397, in the name of Emma Harper, on the potential for Dumfries to achieve city statu...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
This is the final members’ business debate this year. I hope that we can end the term on a positive, consensual note while doing something that I greatly enj...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
I just want to put on record that I spent part of my summer holidays in Dumfries and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It felt like a city to me, so good luck in your...
Emma Harper
SNP
I thank Bob Doris for that intervention. As he spent part of his summer in Dumfries, I would encourage all members to do that, because it is a braw, bonnie p...
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
Emma Harper has listed lots of wonderful people from Dumfriesshire, but none of them needed city status to succeed. What is it about Dumfries being a city th...
Emma Harper
SNP
I thank Mr Mundell for that intervention, but I am coming to that. It is about aspiration. We boast a vibrant cultural scene, with the Big Burns Supper; the...
Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Emma Harper
SNP
Do I have time, Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you some of the time back, Ms Harper.
Emma Harper
SNP
Okay. Thanks.
Dr Allan
SNP
I am compelled to ask the member this question after that last intervention. Has she encountered any other opposition within Dumfries to the idea of city sta...
Emma Harper
SNP
It is jist comin fae ower there. A few folk have been sceptical, and I have invited all the sceptics to discuss the matter. My door is open to anybody who wa...
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
It probably does not need to be stated, but I am a committed monarchist and, God willing, I wish to see Her Majesty reign over the United Kingdom for many ye...
Emma Harper
SNP
Man, I think that you should take a deep breath while I make my intervention. We are not talking about a massive concrete metropolis; we are talking about an...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Please speak through the chair, Ms Harper.
Oliver Mundell
Con
I have more aspiration for Dumfries than the Scottish National Party does. The SNP has failed Dumfries, as I will come on to later in my speech. According t...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I note from the motion that the Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries supports the bid. Do you disagree with her?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Please speak through the chair, Ms Grahame.
Oliver Mundell
Con
I would not seek to compromise her role. Dumfries and Galloway Council, which is made up of different political parties, has come to a position, so I would f...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Emma Harper for lodging her motion. It is nice to hear someone from the Cleyhole backing us Doonhamers—I apologise to those in the official report wh...
Emma Harper
SNP
Will Colin Smyth give way?
Colin Smyth
Lab
I will take an intervention on that point, yes.
Emma Harper
SNP
I thank Colin Smyth for taking my intervention, given the time constraints—I know that I went over. I really appreciate that Colin Smyth has mentioned the Q...
Colin Smyth
Lab
It is about the community. Ultimately, it is about what I call my hame toon. As Queen’s fans say, “Yer hame team’s yer ain team.” I have such memories of sup...
Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
Like Bob Doris, I have holidayed in Dumfries, and like it. Would Colin Smyth agree that Oban, in Argyll and Bute, is also a good contender to be the newest c...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Be careful, Mr Smyth. Laughter.
Colin Smyth
Lab
Oban’s was the very first whisky distillery that I visited, many years ago. However, one of the most recent ones—the Annandale distillery—is close to Dumfrie...
Emma Harper
SNP
Oh—together?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
That was not being careful, Mr Smyth. Laughter.
Colin Smyth
Lab
It was very uncareful, Presiding Officer. Moving on quickly, I thank those behind the bid—Mark Jardine, the council and the community groups. Whatever the o...