Hansard

This has been a hugely challenging session, so I want to be a wee bit more light hearted before turning to thanks for the Presiding Officer. I thank parliamentary and MSP staff, as others have done, for their work this session. We would not be able to do our jobs without them.

I acknowledge some of the members who are standing down. There are too many of you to mention but, on behalf of the Scottish Greens, I thank you for your work and hope that you enjoy whatever comes next.

I will certainly miss Richard Leonard in my Central Scotland region. I have always appreciated his sage analysis. Sometimes he gives it with a smile and sometimes with a near-audible eye roll.

One half of the Parliament’s resident Waldorf and Statler duo, in the form of Gordon MacDonald, is stepping down. Once he finds his way back to the right constituency, I hope that he has a wonderful retirement. However, before he does, we need to settle on who has to take responsibility for George Adam. [Laughter.]

A raft of fantastic women are also standing down. They have been hugely supportive not only to me but to many other younger MSPs from around the chamber. I thank Liz Smith, Fiona Hyslop, Rona Mackay and Shona Robison for their support and kindness. The chamber will be worse off without them.

When talking about those who have offered support, I cannot not mention the wonderful Christina McKelvie. Not having her light and laugh in the chamber has undoubtedly made it a poorer place for us all.

It is unprecedented to have two former First Ministers standing down at the same time. Nicola, thank you for bringing us into government, for giving your backing to safe access zones and for your contribution to politics.

Humza—good luck. [Laughter.] I am, of course, just kidding. Despite the ending, we did some powerful things together in government, and Humza’s commitment to humanitarian causes, particularly the people of Palestine, has shone through in his work. I hope that whatever comes next, he will get to continue with that work. At the moment, it has never been more important to have such strong advocates for peace.

Also unprecedented, Presiding Officer, is the amount of poor behaviour that you have had to put up with in this parliamentary session. I have seen the toll that some of that behaviour has taken on you and the grace with which you have handled it.

You have been unlucky with some of the things that you have had to deal with. I know that, at times, it has felt relentless; there have been too many firsts in one parliamentary session. Don’t cry—you will start me off. The way in which you have dealt with us is just an extension of the Alison I have always known: a diligent campaigner, a fierce advocate and a brilliant MSP. She has been a councillor, health spokesperson, animal rights champion and advocate for physical activity and access to green spaces.

In the time that I have, it is hard to sum up everything that Alison has done. She has achieved more in 15 years than many achieve in much longer. She has been central to my political journey and has inspired many others. Those in here who really know her will know of her fantastic sense of humour and infectious laugh. Regrettably, I have only once nearly made her laugh in the chair. As we would all acknowledge, the chamber very often runs on hope and caffeine. I am not immune to that but, as I do not like tea or coffee, the odd energy drink is usually my go-to. When I asked the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health about restricting sales of energy drinks to under-16s, not only did I get the look; it nearly broke into a laugh.

There have been several light-hearted moments in the past 12 years, including an emergency stitching up of a hem before a hustings and leaving halfway through her own house move to campaign, but some of the most impressive things that I have seen the Presiding Officer do were during Covid. Her First Minister’s questions had real impact, holding the Government to account while making sure that her contributions genuinely helped our collective efforts during the pandemic.

The way in which the Presiding Officer has handled the chamber and protected this institution should also be commended. Unbelievably, there is a possibility that the behaviour in the chamber could be worse next parliamentary session, and I am sure that whoever has to keep us all on task will appreciate her advice.

Presiding Officer, I sincerely hope that you get a good break and far more time with the family, and that you are never a stranger in here. Green politics would not be where it is without you—I would not be where I am without you. Never doubt the contribution that you have made to public life and to individuals across the country. I am so proud of you. [Applause.]

I again thank parliamentary staff and the chief executive for everything they do, and I look forward to seeing you all on the campaign trail.

16:42