Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 March 2026 [Draft]
24 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Public Protection)
I offer Rona my very best wishes for what comes next.
Before I finish, I want to mention the fact that there are so many powerful women in this Parliament. I pay particular attention to Nicola Sturgeon and Elena Whitham, who have been enormously influential and huge characters in our Scottish Parliament. They will both be missed tremendously.
I conclude by saying to the chamber—and to Christine Grahame, in particular—that we are, rightly, determined to continue to do more. However, if we do not go faster and deliver more, I fully expect to hear Christine Grahame in my ear saying, “This is simply not good enough,” and that we must do more to get our act together. To be honest, I would not have it any other way.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20603, in the name of Christine Grahame, on animal welfare sentencing and public protec...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.Well, breaking news: Christine Grahame is at last retiring—some might say not before time—and I am proud that my last deb...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
For the avoidance of doubt, Ms Scanlon will not be able to make a contribution from the public gallery.11:05
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
Presiding Officer, I am here under false pretences. I understood that that was to be Christine Grahame’s final speech, and yet I now gather that there are to...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I was going to call Stuart McMillan, but I cannot see him for the time being, so I call Carol Mochan.11:09
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Christine Grahame for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I want to speak in the debate for three reasons: first, because it is on a very ...
Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (SNP)
SNP
Made a request to intervene.
Carol Mochan
Lab
Of course I will take an intervention.
Joe FitzPatrick
SNP
I apologise—I pressed the button inadvertently. However, this is an opportunity to put on record how sorry I will be to not be sitting next to, and sometimes...
Carol Mochan
Lab
I see that Joe FitzPatrick has picked up Christine Grahame’s excellent technology skills.Many of the cases that I hear about are from constituents raising co...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in today’s important debate for many reasons. First, I want to acknowledge the legendary Christine Grahame and her passionate dedicatio...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
I thank Christine Grahame for lodging the motion and securing the debate; it is a privilege to be able to speak in it. Yes, it is about animal welfare, but i...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I am really chuffed to speak in support of today’s motion, which recognises the serious harm that is caused by animal cruelty, neglect and illegal breeding. ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I call Jim Fairlie to wind up the debate.11:27
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Jim Fairlie)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is an enormous pleasure to respond to what I had thought was going to be the debate in which Christine Grahame made her fina...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I, too, pay tribute to Rona Mackay—I knew that this was her final speech, and I meant to comment on the fact—because she has been an indefatigable champion o...
Jim Fairlie
SNP
I offer Rona my very best wishes for what comes next.Before I finish, I want to mention the fact that there are so many powerful women in this Parliament. I ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
That concludes the debate, although not, I suspect, the contribution of Christine Grahame to public life in Scotland. For now, though, I suspend this meeting...