Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-02397, in the name of Emma Harper, on the potential for Dumfries to achieve city statu...

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

This is the final members’ business debate this year. I hope that we can end the term on a positive, consensual note while doing something that I greatly enj...

Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) SNP

I just want to put on record that I spent part of my summer holidays in Dumfries and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It felt like a city to me, so good luck in your...

Emma Harper SNP

I thank Bob Doris for that intervention. As he spent part of his summer in Dumfries, I would encourage all members to do that, because it is a braw, bonnie p...

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Con

Emma Harper has listed lots of wonderful people from Dumfriesshire, but none of them needed city status to succeed. What is it about Dumfries being a city th...

Emma Harper SNP

I thank Mr Mundell for that intervention, but I am coming to that. It is about aspiration. We boast a vibrant cultural scene, with the Big Burns Supper; the...

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Emma Harper SNP

Do I have time, Presiding Officer?

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I can give you some of the time back, Ms Harper.

Emma Harper SNP

Okay. Thanks.

Dr Allan SNP

I am compelled to ask the member this question after that last intervention. Has she encountered any other opposition within Dumfries to the idea of city sta...

Emma Harper SNP

It is jist comin fae ower there. A few folk have been sceptical, and I have invited all the sceptics to discuss the matter. My door is open to anybody who wa...

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Con

It probably does not need to be stated, but I am a committed monarchist and, God willing, I wish to see Her Majesty reign over the United Kingdom for many ye...

Emma Harper SNP

Man, I think that you should take a deep breath while I make my intervention. We are not talking about a massive concrete metropolis; we are talking about an...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Please speak through the chair, Ms Harper.

Oliver Mundell Con

I have more aspiration for Dumfries than the Scottish National Party does. The SNP has failed Dumfries, as I will come on to later in my speech. According t...

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

I note from the motion that the Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries supports the bid. Do you disagree with her?

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Please speak through the chair, Ms Grahame.

Oliver Mundell Con

I would not seek to compromise her role. Dumfries and Galloway Council, which is made up of different political parties, has come to a position, so I would f...

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Emma Harper for lodging her motion. It is nice to hear someone from the Cleyhole backing us Doonhamers—I apologise to those in the official report wh...

Emma Harper SNP

Will Colin Smyth give way?

Colin Smyth Lab

I will take an intervention on that point, yes.

Emma Harper SNP

I thank Colin Smyth for taking my intervention, given the time constraints—I know that I went over. I really appreciate that Colin Smyth has mentioned the Q...

Colin Smyth Lab

It is about the community. Ultimately, it is about what I call my hame toon. As Queen’s fans say, “Yer hame team’s yer ain team.” I have such memories of sup...

Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) SNP

Like Bob Doris, I have holidayed in Dumfries, and like it. Would Colin Smyth agree that Oban, in Argyll and Bute, is also a good contender to be the newest c...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Be careful, Mr Smyth. Laughter.

Colin Smyth Lab

Oban’s was the very first whisky distillery that I visited, many years ago. However, one of the most recent ones—the Annandale distillery—is close to Dumfrie...

Emma Harper SNP

Oh—together?

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

That was not being careful, Mr Smyth. Laughter.

Colin Smyth Lab

It was very uncareful, Presiding Officer. Moving on quickly, I thank those behind the bid—Mark Jardine, the council and the community groups. Whatever the o...