Top & Timely
I was honoured to give the welcome speech at the Scottish Greens largest conference in years, which was held in Edinburgh. The energy was terrific at the conference and it was wonderful to see so many new faces among old friends.
The land reform bill is currently undergoing stage 3 debate and amendment. It is fair to say that the Scottish Green MSP Group, doesn’t feel that the bill goes far enough. The Group have brought many amendments to the legislation to strengthen it including measures to facilitate the taxation of wealth, protect the environment and improve community participation and wealth building.
Media & Chamber
I will be bringing amendments to the Natural Environment Bill, on matters of non-native and invasive species and keeping up with our international commitments, particularly to the UN Convention on biological diversity. My speech to the chamber at Stage 1 of the bill can be found here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/stage-1-debate-natural-environment-scotland-bill-october-30-2025?clip_start=15:50:51&clip_end=15:58:14
In my role as Group Business Manager, I won a Scottish Government debate on the upcoming Climate Change Plan on the 8th of October. This can be seen here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/scottish-government-debate-climate-change-scotland-act-2009-scottish-carbon-budgets-amendment-regulations-2025-october-8-2025
Regional & Campaigns
I am looking forward to the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Friends of Holyrood Park. We will be voting on a constitution and committee to make this community group a reality.
Date: 03/11/2025
Time: 18:30 – 20:00
Location: Epworth Hall, Nicolson Square
I have very much enjoyed participating in canvassing and in the East Lothian ‘Let’s get Started’ meeting.
I have had a good response from bike shops all over Scotland who are interested in an apprenticeship framework for bicycle mechanics, and I am in discussion with SDS and partners on how we can take this forwards.
The community meeting that I had intended to hold in Linlithgow in November to update about progress on Linlithgow Loch, is, unfortunately, going to have to be rescheduled to the new year. I will communicate the new date and location when what has been set.
Committee & Portfolio
On October 8th, the Economy and Fair Work committee heard evidence in private about the upcoming Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill. Yes, it’s a crypto bill.
Members are likely aware that I was a witness in the Biffa V Scottish Ministers trial. This has been taking a reasonable amount of time over the last several months, but my role in this is now concluded.
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