Meeting of the Parliament 18 February 2026 [Draft]
Mr Whittle makes an excellent point. If only we were more grown-up in this debate, that is what we could be discussing.
What concerns me is that the very same Green Party, which has such skewed priorities and is bringing back the politics of the student union to this Parliament, could find itself back in Government in a few weeks’ time. If the Scottish National Party were to end up as the largest party after May but short of a majority, Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay might be sitting around the Cabinet table, and the wording of the motion shows what will happen if they are driving Scottish Government policy.
When asked by Ross Greer on 28 January whether he would consider evicting US troops from Prestwick, the First Minister John Swinney did not immediately slap down that ludicrous idea but said that he would “consider” the matter. That is the danger that lies in store, and that is why Scotland should reject both the SNP and the Greens at the election in a few weeks’ time. At least the Scottish Conservatives will stand up for our economic interests, the defence of our country and the NATO alliance.
I move amendment S6M-20819.1, to leave out from “strongly” to end and insert:
“reaffirms its clear support for NATO as the cornerstone of collective defence and the foundation of transatlantic security; recognises that NATO has preserved peace among its members for more than 75 years and that the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent, including the strategic capability of the United States, has underpinned strategic stability among NATO members and deterred direct conflict between major nuclear powers in Europe for eight decades; recognises the United States as a central and enduring partner in safeguarding European security and acknowledges its leadership in providing the air mobility, logistics, intelligence and deterrence capabilities on which the Alliance relies; notes that military aircraft from NATO allies, including those of the United States, routinely and lawfully use Scottish airports such as Glasgow Prestwick Airport for refuelling and transit; further notes that such activity supports jobs, brings revenue and contributes to the financial sustainability of publicly owned airport infrastructure; rejects calls to withdraw cooperation from the country’s closest allies; calls on the Scottish Government to continue facilitating appropriate access for NATO partners to Scottish airport facilities in support of collective defence, national security and the long-term resilience of Scotland’s aviation assets, and regrets that the Scottish Green Party has chosen to use parliamentary time to debate these matters instead of raising the many devolved issues that require immediate attention.”
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.