Meeting of the Parliament 24 March 2026 [Draft]
This will be my last speech in Parliament, Deputy Presiding Officer, so I hope that you will indulge me with an extra few words today.
Tourism is a key industry across Scotland. It is amazing to be able to welcome visitors and share our country and all that it has to offer, but high footfall has an impact on infrastructure. We need to ensure that tourism is sustainable. The visitor levy is an excellent opportunity to generate income that will only improve the experience for visitors and local people. The bill offers flexibility to ensure that the levy scheme works for local authorities. I am keen to see how it will be used in my Stirling constituency, which hosts Stirling castle, Loch Lomond and so much more. I ask members to please support the bill at stage 3 today.
My love affair with Stirling began immediately when my family moved to Doune in 2016—the welcoming people, the beautiful scenery and the atmosphere of the Trossachs. It was just stunning.
If someone had told my younger self, growing up in a poor housing estate in Ayr, that one day I would be an MSP during a worldwide pandemic, I would not have believed them. One teacher told me that I would amount to nothing, after asking me where I lived. However, my great-gran, Jane Brazier, who had been through wars, death and hardship, told me that I would make something of myself. I thank you, gran.
I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by wonderful, supportive people—my mum, dad, Sanny, family and friends who are in the gallery today. I thank my husband, Ahsan, and my children, Emily, Benn, Marcus and Steven. I thank my political mentor, David Shearer, for his unwavering advice and good humour. I thank my party and its members for the opportunity to be here. I also do not forget the great teachers that I had who helped shape my love of life and politics: Mr Mulligan, Mr Johnson and Mr Mochan—Carol’s dad. Mainholm academy no longer exists, but it produced resilient pupils—thank you for believing in me.
After a 25-year housing career, I threw myself into the 2014 independence referendum. I felt alive having conversations about Scottish independence and, to be honest, I still do. That experience led me to be here today. I came into politics to help people, to listen to and see them, and to give them a voice. I strongly believe in equality for all. I know what it feels like to come from poverty, to be homeless and to feel that no one cares for you. I have loved that part of my role, and I would like to thank everyone who has come to me over the years. I hope that I did your cause justice. It has been a privilege to serve you.
I also thank my amazing staff team—Scott, Betty, Joanna, John, Mason and Olivia—and colleagues across the chamber. I say to future MSPs: please defend our right to a Scottish Parliament. We recently celebrated our 25th anniversary, and I very much hope that we will continue to celebrate our Parliament, our right to democracy and, eventually, our independence in the years to come. Thank you.