Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2026 [Draft]
Thirty years ago tomorrow, primary school teacher Gwen Mayor took her pupils into the gym hall at Dunblane primary school. Shortly afterwards, a gunman entered. What followed was the deadliest and most horrific mass shooting in the United Kingdom’s history. Along with Gwen Mayor, who died valiantly trying to protect her pupils, 16 children lost their lives and 15 others were injured.
I, like everyone who lived through that moment, will never forget that day. On the same day that parents faced the unbearable loss of their children, my eldest son was born. I remember the preciousness of my son’s birth and could not begin to imagine—that day, or any day since—the sense of loss faced by those families.
In the months that followed, grief-stricken parents and residents of Dunblane decided that they would not let such tragedies happen again. They collected 750,000 signatures in their campaign to change UK gun laws. In November 1997, handguns became illegal in the United Kingdom. Scotland has not seen a mass shooting since.
My thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to everyone who was impacted by that terrible tragedy. My most heartfelt thanks go to all who took action to ensure that such a tragedy might never happen again.
In the intervening years, the community of Dunblane has demonstrated such strength and resilience, and the power of community, solidarity and love in Scotland. It has the respect and admiration of us all.