Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 November 2025
11 Nov 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I would like to, but I am sure the Deputy Presiding Officer will stop me from straying from the actual issue under debate. However, I think that that is something that we should discuss in this Parliament in future.
Football brings people together, in between the times when we all fall out about various aspects of the game. As the minister said, today is armistice day, and everyone knows the story of the first Christmas of the great war, in 1914, when those on the western front systematically stopped fighting and met in no man’s land. They passed each other gifts, drinks and trinkets and they played football, because football is the international language that everyone understands.
I want Euro 2028 in Glasgow to be a celebration of football. Some nations claim that football is coming home when it goes to their nation but we all know that the modern, passing game of football was born in Glasgow, not far from the stadium that will host the games, and that it was the great Queen’s Park that brought us forward from the rugby-type game played in other parts of the home nations to the silky football that we now regularly see in Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19613, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. I i...
The Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
As we meet on 11 November, armistice day, wearing our poppies, to discuss the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill and the opportunity that it brings f...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Clare Adamson to speak on behalf of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. 15:05
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
I associate myself with the minister’s comments regarding armistice day, and I back up his support for the Scottish team. It demonstrates the power of footba...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Of course, we all welcome the opportunity for Scotland to host an international sporting event with the prestige of the Euros. Euro 2028 will provide a platf...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I thank the member for giving way and welcome his general welcome for the bill. Can he explain further how he thinks the cafe in Mount Florida that he cited ...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Very simply, the cafe would be asked to conduct its business in another location, which obviously would not be prime to its business interests, and it would ...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to take part in the stage 1 debate on the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill. In opening, I join the convener of the Constitution, Europ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We now move to the open debate, and I confirm to members that we have a bit of time in hand and that those who take interventions will get time added to the ...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
As someone who has followed Scotland both home and away and who proudly backs St Mirren—the Paisley buddies—I have a lot to say about our national game in ge...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Mr Adam has intrigued me and, given that we have the luxury of a few extra minutes, I would quite like to hear George Adam’s views on giving our football fan...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You are being led astray, Mr Adam.
George Adam
SNP
I would like to, but I am sure the Deputy Presiding Officer will stop me from straying from the actual issue under debate. However, I think that that is some...
Clare Adamson
SNP
Does George Adam also recognise the work of Elspeth King, who passed away last week? She was a historian who was well-respected across this chamber and who d...
George Adam
SNP
That would have been an interesting game, although completely different from the modern game that Queen’s Park invented, but I recognise that too. Regardles...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I advise Mr Adam that the clerks have reminded me on VAR that speeches in the open debate should be four minutes and not six minutes, so I would be grateful ...
George Adam
SNP
I am into overtime, so I will be very quick. Football belongs to its supporters first and foremost. As a St Mirren fan and as a Scotland supporter, I want k...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I apologise for that slight misdirection, Mr Adam. I call Brian Whittle. You have around four minutes, Mr Whittle. 15:32
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
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 membe...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
It is a pleasure to speak in the debate. Football is our national sport. It is a passion for many of us in Scotland. I had lots of passion on Saturday, whil...
Davy Russell (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the Scottish Government getting ahead of the game and introducing the bill. I was involved in the previous Commonwealth games in Scotland. We were ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The final speaker in the open debate is Mr Kidd, who has around four minutes. 15:44
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
As we have heard, the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill will provide the legal framework that is necessary for hosting part of Euro 2028 here in Sco...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We now move to closing speeches. 15:49
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
There has been a consensus across the chamber that the 2028 tournament will be good for Scotland, good for Ireland, and good for the UK overall. In his ope...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
First, I declare an interest in the debate as a football fan and a supporter of the current Scottish cup holders, Aberdeen. There were no cheers—that is a sh...
George Adam
SNP
A Diet Coke only.
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
I have started too controversially—I apologise.
George Adam
SNP
I have been working on the idea of having alcohol at football matches for some time. St Mirren is having a pilot on allowing pre-game drinks, and I am quite ...
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
Mr Adam is taking advantage of a free bar—that is very impressive. I join colleagues in thanking committee colleagues and our clerks for all of their effort...