Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 October 2025
08 Oct 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Illegal Immigration
I cannot say that I am pleased to open in this debate for the Government. The Conservatives brought a similar motion only four weeks ago, and on that day a number of contributions crossed the line. Today, they have taken the biscuit, frankly.
I start by appealing for care in the language that we use this afternoon. Whatever certain politicians do to characterise the situation, we are talking about people—people with hopes, people with aspirations, people who have suffered and human beings who should be treated with dignity and respect.
I will promptly address what are, flatly, errors in the Conservative motion. First, the Conservatives wilfully misuse the terms “illegal immigration” and “asylum seekers”, conflating two fundamentally different issues. The term “illegal migrant” is not only divisive and dehumanising; it is also inaccurate. People are not illegal. Seeking asylum is a right. In fact, it is the lack of safe routes to the UK that makes migration take irregular presentations.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19252, in the name of Russell Findlay, on stopping illegal immigration and recognising its impact on hous...
Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am proud of Britain’s long history of immigration. I am proud of the strength and richness of our diversity. I am proud of our culture—decent, welcoming, t...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Russell Findlay
Con
I would be delighted to do so if there is any guarantee of getting the time back.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We are tight for time. You will get some of it back, but not necessarily all of it.
Russell Findlay
Con
Okay. I will take the intervention.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I welcome Russell Findlay’s comments about having a welcoming approach to people who come from other countries. However, would he endorse the statement that ...
Russell Findlay
Con
What Mr Jenrick meant was that we want communities that are assimilated. We do not want people to be isolated or ghettoised. That is an entirely reasonable p...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Russell Findlay
Con
It is not racist to want to stop the boats: a treacherous trade that claims lives and enriches gangsters. I will take one more intervention, from Mr Stewart.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Language in rhetoric is very important in this debate. What we heard from Robert Jenrick is not good, as far as I am concerned. Trying—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Please be brief, Mr Stewart.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Trying to brand all immigrants as criminals is wrong, too. Does the member accept that?
Russell Findlay
Con
I will not even waste my time in attempting to address that point. Kevin Stewart needs to open his ears and listen up to what is actually being said. Concer...
Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Russell Findlay
Con
I am sorry, but I have no time remaining. Glasgow declared a housing emergency two years ago and it has a mountain of debt, which stands at £1.6 billion and...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You need to wind up.
Russell Findlay
Con
I end by saying it loud and clear: the public purse cannot afford this. It is unsustainable. That is not racist. It is not far right. It is simply right. I ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan)
SNP
I cannot say that I am pleased to open in this debate for the Government. The Conservatives brought a similar motion only four weeks ago, and on that day a n...
Russell Findlay
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Màiri McAllan
SNP
I am not giving you one more second of our time. Members: Oh!
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Speak through the chair, cabinet secretary.
Màiri McAllan
SNP
Secondly, the Conservatives misunderstand the rules on local connection. Let me explain those rules to them. The changes that were made in November 2022 only...
Russell Findlay
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention on that point?
Màiri McAllan
SNP
I have already made it clear that I will not give the Conservatives a platform for one more moment—not on my watch. The Conservatives are wrong, they know th...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
What about the SNP Government?
Màiri McAllan
SNP
The truth is that Mr Findlay’s party allowed enormous asylum backlogs to build up while creating a hotels policy that allows people to languish. Now, a Labou...
Russell Findlay
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention on that point?
Craig Hoy
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Màiri McAllan
SNP
In closing, while continuing to ignore the Conservatives’ attempts for a greater platform, I want us to reflect on what has led us here—to the point where th...