Hansard

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

09 Jun 2026

First Minister’s Question Time · Legal Aid (Asylum Seekers and Refugees)

Will the First Minister outline what assessment, if any, the Scottish Government has made of the cost of providing taxpayer-funded legal aid to asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland? Does he consider it fair that taxpayers are funding legal representation for strangers who a...

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

It is about small business owners who are wondering whether they can afford to take on another member of staff. It is about the parents struggling to pay the rent or mortgage, fill the car and provide for their children. Those people do not need another lecture from politician...

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

No. I am not interested in taking interventions. I have already took one from the cabinet secretary. Let me make some progress. That is why—Interruption. I appear to be rattling all the right people. I am enjoying this a lot, Deputy Presiding Officer.That is why Reform Scotlan...

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

A job equals a growing economy and the opportunity for people to build a better future for themselves and their families. Government cannot create wealth by taking more and more off those who produce it. Wealth is created by workers, shopkeepers, tradesmen and businesses that ...

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

No. I have took enough interventions, thank you.A job equals a growing economy—Interruption. I am loving this, Deputy Presiding Officer.

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

I acknowledge that and I also acknowledge that it is thanks to the policy of the cabinet secretary that the people she just described are paying more tax in Scotland than they would in the rest of the UK. I want to see them keep that money in their pockets. Interruption. Membe...

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

I will take an intervention from the cabinet secretary.

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

It is up to me whether I take an intervention. I ain’t interested in irrelevant nonsense from a has-been party.I know all too well what it is like to grow up in poverty. As many know, I grew up in one of Scotland’s most deprived communities—Cranhill in Glasgow’s east end. That...

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

The Deputy Presiding Officer just said that it is up to the speaker to decide whether to take an intervention.

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

No. I am not interested, thanks.Members: Oh!

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

It was interesting to see a leadership bid in this debate. If I were Mr Sarwar, I would watch out.It is a privilege to speak in the debate and to follow Kim Schmulian, my friend and colleague, who made an impassioned speech. I cannot wait to see her contribution to the chamber...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

Before I start my remarks, I say to Mr Johnson that if he is going to hurl abuse—childish, petty insults—across the chamber, the least he can do is be decent and allow an intervention to come back rather than hide away. That was shameful.

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

If the cabinet secretary is serious about tackling the housing emergency, rather than focusing on a party-political gimmick, will she put back in place local connection for social housing and finally prioritise local people over strangers who have arrived here illegally?

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

I welcome the cabinet secretary to her post and thank her for providing advance sight of the rhetoric that we have heard. Bluntly, that is exactly what her statement is. It is yet another wasted opportunity from a failing Government. It is another gimmick, not a real solution....

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

If the cabinet secretary is serious about tackling the housing emergency, rather than focusing on a party-political gimmick, will she put back in place local connection for social housing and finally prioritise local people over strangers who have arrived here illegally?

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

I welcome the cabinet secretary to her post and thank her for providing advance sight of the rhetoric that we have heard. Bluntly, that is exactly what her statement is. It is yet another wasted opportunity from a failing Government. It is another gimmick, not a real solution....

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

Considering that his party stood a pro-independence candidate in Shettleston and accepted Lisa Cameron on to the Conservative benches,would Mr Hoy accept that it is a tad hypocritical to attack other people? We are happy to have people who change their mind on independence. I ...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

rose—

Thomas Kerr Reform Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

Considering that his party stood a pro-independence candidate in Shettleston and accepted Lisa Cameron on to the Conservative benches, would Mr Hoy accept that it is a tad hypocritical to attack other people? We are happy to have people who change their mind on independence. I...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

rose—

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

21 May 2026

Ministers and Junior Ministers

As this is my maiden speech, I start with a thank you to the people of Glasgow for sending me here. It is the honour of my life to represent the communities of the place that I am proud to call home, and I pledge that I will do all that I can to deliver for my city and to do t...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

The scenes that we witnessed in Glasgow at the weekend were beyond disgraceful, but let us be blunt—they happen way too often. Glaswegians should not have to live with such violence, vandalism and behaviour every year, and clubs must take responsibility.Does the minister agree...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

The scenes that we witnessed in Glasgow at the weekend were beyond disgraceful, but let us be blunt—they happen way too often. Glaswegians should not have to live with such violence, vandalism and behaviour every year, and clubs must take responsibility.Does the minister agree...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

The scenes that we witnessed in Glasgow at the weekend were beyond disgraceful, but let us be blunt—they happen way too often. Glaswegians should not have to live with such violence, vandalism and behaviour every year, and clubs must take responsibility.Does the minister agree...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

The scenes that we witnessed in Glasgow at the weekend were beyond disgraceful, but let us be blunt—they happen way too often. Glaswegians should not have to live with such violence, vandalism and behaviour every year, and clubs must take responsibility.Does the minister agree...

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Thomas Kerr, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Thomas Kerr, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform) Reform Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Thomas Kerr, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.