Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 May 2026 [Draft]
21 May 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Ministers and Junior Ministers
Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business is consideration of motions S7M-00108 and S7M-00109, in the name of John Swinney, on the appointment of Scottish ministers and junior Scottish ministers. I invite the First Minister to move the motions. After he has done so, I will invite each party to make a short contribution. Thereafter, I will ask the First Minister to reply.
I also remind members that, under rule 11.3.1 of standing orders, the questions on the motions will be put immediately after the debate. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons now, and I call John Swinney, the First Minister, to speak to and move the motions.
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson)
NPA
Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business is consideration of motions S7M-00108 and S7M-00109, in the name of John Swinney, on the appointment of ...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
Before I turn to the substance of the motions, I will recognise those members of the previous Government who are leaving office. Former Deputy First Minister...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, First Minister. I call Meghan Gallacher to speak to and move amendment S7M-00109.1. You have up to five minutes.14:40
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con)
Con
It appears that John Swinney’s Government has been on the Mounjaro, because it is slimmed down in size, but it somehow carries all the same political baggage...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
“Up to five minutes” usually means up to five minutes. It would also help if you spoke to your amendment at the start. Only about a third of what you said re...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
On behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, I welcome the new Scottish Cabinet and junior ministers to their roles. I congratulate every one of the SNP MSPs who ...
Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform)
Reform
As this is my maiden speech, I start with a thank you to the people of Glasgow for sending me here. It is the honour of my life to represent the communities ...
Lorna Slater (Edinburgh Central) (Green)
Green
The Scottish Greens recognise the right of the SNP, as the largest elected party, to form the Government. I offer my sincere congratulations to all the appoi...
Willie Rennie (Fife North East) (LD)
LD
We in the Liberal Democrats can assure John Swinney that although we will have profound disagreements, including on the constitution, we will hunt for agreem...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must wind up.
Willie Rennie
LD
Is that five minutes already? I have just got started, Presiding Officer.I will say just one more thing. The final person to mention, for her grace under fir...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call the First Minister to respond. Up to five minutes, please, First Minister.15:06
The First Minister
SNP
I thank members for their contributions, although there was a varying nature to the speeches that we heard today, and I will reflect that in what I say.I wel...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I will now put today’s questions to the vote. The first question is, that motion S7M-00108, in the name of John Swinney, on the First Minister’s appointment ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division.There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.15:11Meeting suspended.15:17On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We come to the vote on motion S7M-00108, in the name of John Swinney, on the First Minister’s appointment of Scottish ministers. Members should cast their vo...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP)
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting app. I would have voted yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you. Your vote will be recorded.
Kim Schmulian (Glasgow) (Reform)
Reform
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting app. I would have abstained.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you. Your vote will be recorded.
ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothia...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on motion S7M-00108, in the name of John Swinney, on the First Minister’s appointment of Scottish ministers, is: For 84, Against 0...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that amendment S7M-00109.1, in the name of Meghan Gallacher, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00109, in the name of John Swinney, on the...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division.The vote is closed.
Clare Haughey
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting app. I would have voted no.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you. Your vote will be recorded.
Kim Schmulian
Reform
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting app. I would have abstained.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you. Your vote will be recorded.
ForBriggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con)Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con)Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)Findlay, Ru...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on amendment S7M-00109.1, in the name of Meghan Gallacher, is: For 11, Against 71, Abstentions 43.Amendment disagreed to.