Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-04122, in the name of Shona Robison, on motor neurone disease and Gordon’s fightback campaign. 15:16

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport (Shona Robison) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to open this debate on celebrating the life and work of Gordon Aikman and the Gordon’s fightback campaign. I start by offering my a...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

I thank the Government and the cabinet secretary for using the debate time this afternoon to talk about Gordon’s life and work. I know that that is very much...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I am not allowed to clap, but I am clapping. 15:36

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

It is a special honour to take part in this debate and, at the outset, I inform members that the Scottish Conservatives will support the Government motion an...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. We are a little tight for time, so I ask for speeches of up to five minutes. 15:42

Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) SNP

I offer my sincerest condolences to Joe and the family and friends of Gordon Aikman. I offer these mere words as a comfort to them as a daughter who has love...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak today, and I commend the Government for changing the subject of today’s debate. It is a privilege to be involved i...

Maree Todd (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

I offer my deepest condolences to Gordon Aikman’s family and friends. The debate is an opportunity to reflect on Gordon’s inspiring and selfless campaign. He...

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I rise with a heavy heart to speak in the debate, which, with its many beautiful contributions from so many members, reflects the Parliament at its best. Thi...

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green

I thank the Government for scheduling the debate to allow Parliament to acknowledge the transformative and truly effective campaigning work of Gordon Aikman....

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD

It is my great privilege to offer the Liberal Democrats’ support for the Government motion and the Labour amendment. We offer our condolences to Gordon’s fam...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP

Unlike many previous speakers, I cannot talk about Gordon Aikman from a personal point of view. We met only once, and that was in a taxi queue after an event...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

I have been moved by the debate so far. I did not know Gordon personally but, from hearing the words of his colleagues and other members in the chamber, I wo...

Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) SNP

I extend my condolences to Gordon’s husband, Joe, and to his friends and family. I was not Gordon’s friend. That was not by choice, and it is to my regret th...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

We move to the closing speeches. 16:26

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

Today’s motion reflects on an extraordinary life and an extraordinary campaign that achieved so much for people with motor neurone disease. Gordon Aikman’s r...

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

I, too, thank the Government for bringing forward this debate and for giving Parliament the opportunity to mark Gordon Aikman’s truly outstanding contributio...

The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Aileen Campbell) SNP

It is an honour to be part of today’s debate to recognise Gordon Aikman’s work and achievements. Based on the contributions from members that we have listene...

Kezia Dugdale Lab

The minister will know that Gordon would encourage me to push her just a little further on some of the issues that I mentioned in my speech. Perhaps she is c...

Aileen Campbell SNP

I was coming to that. I was also going to say that I will come back to the member with further clarity on that. I will perhaps jump ahead and say that we are...