Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 May 2025
08 May 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Victory in Europe Day (80th Anniversary)
I join Pam Gosal in that point of remembrance. It is significant that that point was made at the VE day 80 commemoration event in the Usher hall in Edinburgh, which I thought demonstrated the scale of the involvement of so many peoples from around the world in the effort to defeat fascism. I happily associate myself with the point made by Pam Gosal.
Before I leave the point that I was making on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, I note that it will always be a point of significant remembrance for me that I was able to visit the site of my uncle’s grave in Argenta, in Italy, and to stand on a spot that had been visited some 30 years before by my grandmother on her only trip out of the United Kingdom to pay her respects at the grave of her beloved son. The decades that have passed dampen neither the memory and the loss nor our gratitude and pride.
Each of us now lives in freedom because of the sacrifices of the men and women who overcame fascism.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17457, in the name of John Swinney, on commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe day. I inv...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
I am honoured to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Government and to share my reflections on the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe day. Today, we...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the First Minister join me in recognising and commemorating the pre-partition British Indian army—the largest volunteer force in history, with 2.5 milli...
The First Minister
SNP
I join Pam Gosal in that point of remembrance. It is significant that that point was made at the VE day 80 commemoration event in the Usher hall in Edinburgh...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thought that the First Minister spoke movingly of his uncle when VE day tributes were paid earlier today. I have been thinking about my mother, who, as a s...
The First Minister
SNP
I agree with Mr Kerr’s point. His example of his mother’s experience resonates with that of my mother-in-law, who was also removed from a tenement block that...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
The First Minister is absolutely right to reference the European Union as establishing a charter for peace so that no nation could ever build a war machine a...
The First Minister
SNP
Unreservedly. There is a very strong affinity with the Polish community in the area of Perthshire that I represent—indeed, there is a Polish cemetery in the ...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
Will the First Minister take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, First Minister.
The First Minister
SNP
I will happily give way to Mr Brown.
Keith Brown
SNP
I have mentioned to the First Minister on previous occasions that his uncle is remembered by every single person who goes through Royal Marines training, whi...
The First Minister
SNP
I am grateful to my colleague and friend Mr Brown, who has distinguished service of his own in the Royal Marines, for adding that reminder. It was made clear...
Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Today marks 80 years since the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. After six years of bloodshed and horror, our country awoke to the light of freedom as...
Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Eighty years ago today, the German instrument of surrender was signed by representatives of Nazi Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and t...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Today’s motion reminds us of the hundreds of thousands of members of the UK forces and the tens of thousands of civilians whose lives were lost in world war ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
It is my distinct privilege to offer the Liberal Democrats’ respects to the fallen in our armed forces and in armed forces across the world; to the dead in o...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
We move to the open debate. 16:01
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Eighty years ago, the world exhaled when the guns across Europe fell silent, because VE day marked not just victory but our survival—a freedom reclaimed and ...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
It is a real honour to contribute to the debate. I associate myself with the motion in the First Minister’s name, with the moving speech that he gave today a...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe day. On this day, eight decades ago, the guns fell silent across the European continent, marki...
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Today, on the 80th anniversary of VE day, we paused to reflect on all those from our communities who gave their lives in the course of the second world war, ...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
We are gathered here to mark a solemn and significant anniversary: 80 years since victory in Europe day—that moment on 8 May 1945, when, after six long and h...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
We must never forget the brave men and women who fell during the conflict of world war two and those who fought to secure freedoms and liberties that we all ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Jackie Dunbar is the final speaker in the open debate. 16:26
Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
It is an honour to speak in today’s debate commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE day, as we remember the sacrifices that made VE day possible. The First ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the closing speeches. 16:30
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
Eighty years ago today, after monumental sacrifice and suffering, Nazi Germany was forced into unconditional surrender. However, that was not the end of the ...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I thank members for some very thoughtful and, at times, moving contributions. Eighty years is an important milestone. It is a literal lifetime since the war ...
The First Minister
SNP
I agree entirely with the analysis that the member is sharing with Parliament. Does he agree that there is a particular threat and challenge to the strength ...