Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
Thank you, Presiding Officers, in the plural. Unlike at First Minister’s question time today, all you will hear from me just now are warm words in a soothing tone.
I begin by thanking you, Presiding Officer, and your colleagues Annabelle Ewing and Liam McArthur. Your job is difficult—indeed, thankless—but essential. When temperatures rise, you are here to cool everyone down.
I also thank all the staff who work at Holyrood: my team, security, catering, cleaning, information technology, research and everyone else. I will single out Stephen Imrie and his colleagues on the Criminal Justice Committee, on which I served for three years. The clerking teams make this place run smoothly.
I thank all MSPs who are standing down. Whatever your party, you stepped up, put your name on the ballot paper and put your head above the parapet.
I will single out a trio of MSPs—not Messrs Simpson, Balfour and Greene, but three female opponents, who are all Scottish National Party members, although maybe not for long after being praised by the Tory leader. I will start with Kate Forbes, who is a true conservative. [Laughter.] I regret that that is with a small C, not a capital C—at least, for now.
Then there is Audrey Nicoll, who, like me, joined the Parliament five years ago. Audrey was good cop to my bad cop on the Criminal Justice Committee.
Michelle Thomson was brave enough to stand up to her own party. I worked with Michelle on amendments to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill—the gender self-identification bill—to protect victims of sex crimes.
Of my many wonderful Conservative colleagues, six are standing down. Douglas Ross will be missed by everyone at Holyrood, with the possible exception of the Presiding Officer. [Laughter.] Douglas knows how hard this job is, and I have appreciated his support.
Liz Smith has been here since 2007 and is widely respected for her wisdom and decency. She got her Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill passed and has been a ferocious advocate for the victims of a rogue surgeon.
Then there is Maurice Golden, who is also known as the dog’s best friend. Like Liz, Maurice has managed to get a member’s bill passed.
Tess White has been our superlative voice on equalities. She has been at the forefront of defending women’s rights when those have come under threat.
Edward Mountain has been a forensically effective committee convener. As a former military man, Edward is a strong supporter of our veterans.
That leaves Oliver Mundell. Modest, decent and unassuming, Oliver is a quietly effective and astute parliamentarian who serves his constituents with dedication.
I thank all of them, and all other departing MSPs, for their contribution and service.