Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 February 2026 [Draft]
10 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
Listen, there is not going to be a division on that, okay? [Laughter.]
Believing in those things means being serious about delivery. It means asking whether legislation changes decisions or whether it simply generates another plan, report and document that are quietly filed away somewhere in the cloud.
We need seriousness. We need a Government that is genuinely committed to backing local businesses, organisations and community groups. We need a Government that understands that wealth is created not by frameworks but by people who take risks, create value and employ others. We also need a Parliament that is willing to say that good intentions are not enough.
As the bill completes its passage, my challenge to ministers is simple: let us get beyond virtue signalling. Let us get into the practical work and make the legislation mean something. If we do not do so, we will have passed another bill that looks impressive on paper but changes absolutely nothing in practice. The people whom we represent deserve better than that.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20717, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. I invite t...
Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP)
SNP
I begin by thanking the Economy and Fair Work Committee for its scrutiny of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. I also highlight the input from Ri...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Just to make it clear, the Scottish Conservatives will be supporting the bill at stage 3, in a short time—as, indeed, we did at stage 1, when we backed the b...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I very much agree with Murdo Fraser’s point. Does he agree that we must use initiatives such as this to almost tip the balance? All too often, communities fe...
Murdo Fraser
Con
That is a very reasonable point. The land that I was talking about was private land and not publicly owned land, but the same principle applies. We have a lo...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, thank the Economy and Fair Work Committee, our clerks and everyone who gave evidence. It is something of a relief not to speak in the debate as the c...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will Daniel Johnson give way on that point?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Well, it depends on which point.
Stephen Kerr
Con
I think that we would like to hear Daniel Johnson speak more often about what he really thinks, particularly in the light of recent events.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I have only five minutes, so I will stay on the topic. In addition, the standing orders say that we must speak to the motion. Laughter.I will speak to a poin...
Lorna Slater (Lothian) (Green)
Green
For the first time since I became an MSP, my husband came to me and said, “Is this thing on TikTok about you?” He was referring to a video from someone outsi...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
We move to the open debate.16:08
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
SNP
Mercifully, Mrs Hepburn has not yet brought to my attention any TikTok videos about my endeavours, but there might be time yet.At its heart, community wealth...
Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is true that the bill is in better shape than it was when it was introduced by the Government, but I cannot help but be reminded of the phrase that Aneuri...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you. We now move to closing speeches.16:17
Lorna Slater
Green
The report that has been referenced by several colleagues, “Developing Scotland’s Economy: Increasing the Role of Inclusive and Democratic Business Models”, ...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill is not just a means of trading a slogan; it represents a recognition that Scotland’s wealth is based in the loc...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Yesterday, I went to see my 92-year-old aunt. She is a remarkable woman: independent, sharp minded and proud of standing on her own two feet. She still lives...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Stephen Kerr
Con
In a second. It is ironic that, while we have been talking about those things, a local authority in Scotland is procuring food for meals on wheels from hundr...
Kate Forbes
SNP
Yesterday, I formally opened the new Inverness Castle Experience, which has a cafe with a menu that has a detailed description of where all the food comes fr...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Hallelujah!
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
That is the good food nation for you.
Stephen Kerr
Con
Yes, the good food nation and all that stuff—excellent.However, my point is about the gap between rhetoric—in which we specialise—and reality. Such a gap is ...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Keep going.
Stephen Kerr
Con
Listen, there is not going to be a division on that, okay? Laughter.Believing in those things means being serious about delivery. It means asking whether leg...
Ivan McKee
SNP
I would like to thank all members for what has been, by and large, a constructive debate. I think that it is true to say that there is consensus that communi...