Scottish Parliament, 14 May 2026
148 contributions from 130 members. The official report.
Oaths and Affirmations
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
Good morning. I declare the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament, 2026 to 2031, duly constituted. The only item of business this morning is members’ oaths and affirmations. I will call each member in turn. When a member is called, they should proceed to the well of the chamber, where they will either take the oath or make an affirmation.
John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)
Before I take my oath, let me pledge that the primary loyalty of the Scottish National Party is to the people of Scotland, in line with the constitutional principle of the sovereignty of the people.
I, John Ramsay Swinney, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Malcolm Offord (West Scotland) (Reform)
I, Malcolm Offord, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)
Bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm.
I, Anas Sarwar, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)
The ultimate loyalty of the Scottish Greens is not to king or crown but to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.
I, Ross John Greer, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Gillian Mackay (Green, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
My oath is to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.
I, Gillian Audrey Mackay, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)
I, Russell Findlay, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh North Western)
I, Alex Cole-Hamilton, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
George Adam (Scottish National Party, Paisley)
I, George Adam, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Karen Adam (Scottish National Party, Banffshire and Buchan Coast)
I, Karen Adam, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
The member repeated the solemn affirmation in British Sign Language.
Clare Adamson (Scottish National Party, Motherwell and Wishaw)
I, Clare Adamson, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Ah, Clare Adamson, depone that Ah wull be leal and haud aefauld affiliation tae His Maijesty King Chairles, his heirs, and ony fa come efter him. Sae help me God.
Irshad Ahmed (Labour, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
Bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm.
I, Irshad Ahmed, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Heather Anderson (Scottish National Party, Dundee City West)
I, Heather Jane Dow Anderson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Eh, Heather Jane Dow Anderson, dae solemnly, aefauldly an leal-hertitly sweir an uphud that Eh will be traist and bear true lealtie tae His Maijesty King Chairles, his heirs an successors, efter the laa.
Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley)
I, Tom Arthur, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)
I, Jackie Baillie, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Claire Baker (Labour, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I, Claire Baker, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Max Bannerman (Reform UK, Highlands and Islands)
I, Max Mackenzie Bannerman Marshall, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
David Barratt (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)
My loyalty is to the people of the Cowdenbeath constituency. I take the following affirmation as required by law.
I, David John Barratt, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Andrew Baxter (Liberal Democrat, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch)
I, Andrew Phillip Baxter, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Colin Beattie (Scottish National Party, Midlothian North)
I declare that my first loyalty is to the people of Scotland.
I, Colin Beattie, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Senga Beresford (Reform UK, South Scotland)
I, Senga Beresford, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Neil Bibby (Labour, West Scotland)
I, Neil Bibby, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Dawn Black (Scottish National Party, Angus North and Mearns)
I say before I start that my first concern is for the people of Angus North and Mearns and for the people of Scotland.
I, Dawn Suzanne Thorndycraft Black, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Amanda Bland (Reform UK, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
I, Amanda Bland, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Steven Bonnar (Scottish National Party, Uddingston and Bellshill)
My true allegiance is to the people of Scotland. It is they who are sovereign and it is in their interests alone that I say this affirmation.
I, Steven Bonnar, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Gary Bouse (Scottish National Party, Falkirk West)
I, Gary Bouse, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Miles Briggs (Conservative, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
I, Miles Briggs, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Alan Brown (Scottish National Party, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)
I, Alan Brown, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Keith Brown (Scottish National Party, Clackmannanshire and Dunblane)
I, Keith James Brown, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Siobhian Brown (Scottish National Party, Ayr)
I, Siobhian Brown, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Holly Bruce (Green, Glasgow Southside)
Before I begin, I declare that my affirmation is to the sovereign folk of Scotland.
I, Holly Bruce, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Ah, Holly Bruce, dee solemnly, sincerely an leal-hertitly sweir an uphaud, aat Ah wull be faithful and bear true lealtie tae His Maijesty King Chairles, his heirs an ony fa come aifter him, accordin tae laa.
Ariane Burgess (Green, Highlands and Islands)
I, Ariane Burgess, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Nam bheachdsa, tha muinntir na h-Alba uachdarail. Tha mise Ariane Burgess, gu sòlaimte is fìrinneach a’ cur an cèill agus ag innse gum bi mi dìleas agus fìor umhail do A Mhòrachd An Rìgh Teàrlach, a oighreachan agus a thànaistean, a rèir an lagh.
Alexander Burnett (Conservative, Aberdeenshire West)
I, Alexander James Amherst Burnett of Leys, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Michelle Campbell (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire North and Cardonald)
I, Michelle Simone Campbell, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)
I, Finlay Hamilton Carson, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)
I affirm the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and hereby declare and pledge that, in all my actions and deliberations, their interests shall be paramount.
I, Maggie Chapman, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Ini Maggie Chapman ndinotsidza nomwoyo wangu wose kuti ndichave mutsigiri anovimbika uye akatendeka wa Mambo Charles, na nevanji wavo, navose vachatonga mushure mavo, ndichiita zvose izvi pamutemo.
Yi-pei Chou Turvey (Liberal Democrat, North East Scotland)
I, Yi-pei Chou Turvey, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Benren, Chou Yi-pei, jin zai ci xuanshi, wo jiang ge shou chengxin bing dushi xiaozhong Charles guowang bixia yiji ta de jichengren, bing yifa luxing zhize. Yuanshang di baoyou wo.
Moi, Yi-Pei Chou Turvey, jure que je serai fidèle et porterai véritable allégeance à Sa Majesté le Roi Charles, ses héritiers et ses successeurs, conformément à la loi. Ainsi, que Dieu me soit en aide.
Katy (Labour, West Scotland)
In order to represent the people, I, Katy Clark, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Angela Constance (Scottish National Party, Almond Valley)
I, Angela Constance, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Victor Currie (Reform UK, Highlands and Islands)
I, Victor Anthony Conan Currie, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Martyn Day (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East and Linlithgow)
I, Martyn Day, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Northern)
I, Sanne Carlien Dijkstra-Downie, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Ik, Sanne Carlien Dijkstra-Downie, verklaar hierbij plechtig, oprecht en naar waarheid, dat ik trouw zal zijn en loyaliteit zal betonen aan Zijne Majesteit Koning Charles, zijn erfgenamen en opvolgers, overeenkomstig de wet.
Bob Doris (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill)
I, Bob Doris, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
The Presiding Officer
There will now be a break in proceedings. Members’ oaths and affirmations will resume at 10.30 am.
10:11
Meeting suspended.
10:30
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
We resume members’ oaths and affirmations.
Iris Duane (Green, Glasgow)
My allegiance is to the people of Scotland, for whom I hope to create a fairer and more equal future in which nobody is born to rule.
I, Iris Duane, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Jackie Dunbar (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Donside)
I, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Ah, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, div depone solemnly and sincerely aat Ah wull be faithful and leal tae His Maijesty King Chairles, his heirs an aa fa come aifter him, accordin tae laa.
Duncan Dunlop (Liberal Democrat, South Scotland)
I make this solemn affirmation to serve my constituents across the south of Scotland and to further the rights of care-experienced people.
I, Duncan Angus Melville Dunlop, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Tim Eagle (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)
I, Tim Eagle, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Joe Fagan (Labour, South Scotland)
I, Joe Fagan, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Jim Fairlie (Scottish National Party, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire)
I, James McGregor Fairlie, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine)
I, Stephen Mark Flynn, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Murdo Fraser (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I, Murdo MacKenzie Fraser, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
I, Meghan Gallacher, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Zen Ghani (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok)
Bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm.
I, Zen Ghani, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
I, Kenneth Gibson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party, Cunninghame South)
I, Patricia Gibson, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)
I, Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Hannah Goodlad (Scottish National Party, Shetland Islands)
I, Hannah Mary Goodlad, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
I, Hannah Mary Goodlad, tak on tae bide faithfu an bear full allegiance tae His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and ony eens at come efter him, accoardeen tae da laa. Sae help me Loard.
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie)
I, Neil Charles Gray, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
I, Neil Charles Gray, tak on tae bide faithful an cairry true allegiance tae His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, accordin tae laa.
David Green (Liberal Democrat, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross)
I, David Green, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Mark Griffin (Labour, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
I, Mark Griffin, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Katie Hagmann (Scottish National Party, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)
I, Katie Elise Hagmann, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Rachael Hamilton (Conservative, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)
I, Rachael Hamilton, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Adam Harley (Liberal Democrat, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)
I, Adam Harley, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)
My loyalty remains with all those who call Scotland home. They are sovereign.
I, Patrick Harvie, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen and Cambuslang)
I, Clare Joan Haughey, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Jamie Hepburn (Scottish National Party, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth)
I, James Douglas Hepburn, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Craig Hoy (Conservative, Dumfriesshire)
I, Craig William Hoy, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Daniel Johnson (Labour, Edinburgh Southern)
I, Daniel Johnson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Alex Kerr (Scottish National Party, Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse)
My primary loyalty, over any loyalty, is to the people of Scotland and the common good. I am making this affirmation so that I can take up my seat and represent my constituents.
I, Alex Kerr, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Calum Kerr (Scottish National Party, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale)
I, Calum Robert Kerr, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Liam Kerr (Conservative, North East Scotland)
I, Matthew Liam Philip Kerr, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I, Stephen Charles Kerr, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Thomas Kerr (Reform UK, Glasgow)
I, Thomas Kerr, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill (Green, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
Before I begin my affirmation, I would like to state that the people of Scotland are sovereign.
I, Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Wierzę w suwerenność narodu szkockiego.
Ja, Keyleigh Kinross-O’Neill, uroczyście, szczerze i zgodnie z prawdą oświadczam i ślubuję, że zgodnie z prawem, będę wierna i lojalna Jego Królewskiej Mości Królowi Karolowi, jego dziedzicom i nastepcom.
David Kirkwood (Reform UK, South Scotland)
I, David Kirkwood, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Simita Kumar (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh South Western)
I, Simita Kumar, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Main, Simita Kumar, shapath leti hoon ki main, kanoon ke anusar, Mahamahim Raja Charles, unke uttaradhikariyon aur unke vanshon ke prati nishthavan aur sacchi wafadari nibhaungi. Ishwar meri sahayata kare.
Jamie Langan (Reform UK, South Scotland)
I, Jamie Alexander Langan, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Kristopher Leask (Green, Highlands and Islands)
I, Kristopher Leask, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
David Linden (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston)
I, David Linden, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Tha mise Daibhidh Linden, Gu sòlaimte is fìrinneach a’ cur an cèill agus ag innse gum bi mi dìleas agus fìor umhail do A Mhòrachd An Rìgh Teàrlach, a oighreachan agus a thànaistean, a rèir an lagh.
Amanda Lindsay (Reform UK, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
I, Mandy Lindsay, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Joe Long (Labour, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I, Joseph Jude Long, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Douglas Lumsden (Conservative, North East Scotland)
I, Douglas Lumsden, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Morven-May MacCallum (Liberal Democrat, Highlands and Islands)
I, Morven-May MacCallum, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Julie MacDougall (Reform UK, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I, Julie MacDougall, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Fulton MacGregor (Scottish National Party, Coatbridge and Chryston)
I, Fulton James MacGregor, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
11:11
Meeting suspended.
11:31
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
We resume members’ oaths and affirmations.
Donald MacKinnon (Labour, Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
I, Donald MacKinnon, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Tha mise Dòmhnall MacFhionghain, a’ mionnachadh gum bi mi dìleas agus fìor umhail do A Mhòrachd An Rìgh Teàrlach, a oighreachan agus a thànaistean, a rèir an lagh. Mar sin cuidich mi a Dhè.
Ben Macpherson (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith)
In order to represent my constituents and serve the common good and the people of Scotland, I, Ben Macpherson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Q Manivannan (Green, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
I make the affirmation for the people of Scotland and their care, my bonnie, bonnie home.
I, Q Manivannan, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Michael Marra (Labour, North East Scotland)
I, Michael Marra, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Gillian Martin (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)
My allegiance is to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.
I, Gillian Anne Martin, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Duncan Massey (Reform UK, North East Scotland)
I, Duncan Massey, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Màiri McAllan (Scottish National Party, Clydesdale)
I, Màiri Louise McAllan, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)
I, Liam Scott McArthur, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Helen McDade (Reform UK, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I, Helen McDade, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Cara McKee (Green, West Scotland)
I, Cara McKee, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Ivan McKee (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn)
I, Ivan McKee, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs)
I, Paul Stewart McLennan, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Inverclyde)
I, Stuart McMillan, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Marie McNair (Scottish National Party, Clydebank and Milngavie)
I, Marie Alexandra McNair, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Pauline McNeill (Labour, Glasgow)
I, Pauline Mary McNeill, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Lloyd Melville (Scottish National Party, Angus South)
I, Lloyd Alexander Melville, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Colm Merrick (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Anniesland)
I, Colm Merrick, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Jack Middleton (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Central)
I declare that my first loyalty will always be to the people of Scotland.
I, Jack Middleton, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Jenni Minto (Scottish National Party, Argyll and Bute)
I, Jenni Minto, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Laura Mitchell (Scottish National Party, Moray)
I, Laura Mitchell, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
I, Laura Mitchell, gie my depone, solemnly and sincerely, aat I wull be faithful and leal tae His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and ony fa come aifter him, accordin tae the laa.
Carol Mochan (Labour, South Scotland)
I believe that the people of this country should be citizens, not subjects, and my first allegiance is to them.
I, Carol Ann Mochan, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Laura Moodie (Green, South Scotland)
My affirmation is to the sovereign people of Scotland, whose interests I will always serve before those of the monarchy.
I, Laura Moodie, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Kate Nevens (Green, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
I make this affirmation to the sovereign people of Scotland and pledge that, in all my actions, the interests of the Scottish people shall be paramount over and above those of the monarchy.
I, Kate Nevens, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party, Eastwood)
I, Kirsten Frances Oswald, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, Fife North East)
I, William Cowan Rennie, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Inverness and Nairn)
I make this affirmation under protest in order to sit in this Parliament, where my allegiance will be to the people of Inverness and Nairn.
I, Emma Roddick, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Tha mise, Emma Roddick, gu sòlaimte is fìrinneach a’ cur an cèill agus ag innse gum bi mi dìleas agus fìor umhail do A Mhòrachd An Rìgh Teàrlach, a oighreachan agus a thànaistean, a rèir an lagh.
Angela Ross (Reform UK, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
I, Angela Ross, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Mark Ruskell (Green, Mid Scotland and Fife)
In my heart, my allegiance is to the people of Scotland.
I, Mark Ruskell, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Katherine Sangster (Labour, Edinburgh and Lothians East)
I, Katherine Blackstock Sangster, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Kim Schmulian (Reform UK, Glasgow)
I, Kim Schmulian, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Graham Simpson (Reform UK, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
I, Graham Simpson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Mark Simpson (Reform UK, North East Scotland)
I, Mark Simpson, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Lorna Slater (Green, Edinburgh Central)
My first allegiance is to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.
I, Lorna Jane Slater, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party, Stirling)
I, Alyn Edward Smith, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
David Smith (Reform UK, West Scotland)
I, David Haydn Smith, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)
I, Shirley-Anne Somerville, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Pauline Stafford (Scottish National Party, Bathgate)
I pledge my allegiance to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.
I, Pauline Stafford, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)
I, Collette Stevenson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Paul Sweeney (Labour, Glasgow)
I, Paul John Sweeney, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Central)
I, Alison Thewliss, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Tha mise Alison Thewliss, gu sòlaimte is fìrinneach a’ cur an cèill agus ag innse gum bi mi dìleas agus fìor umhail do A Mhòrachd An Rìgh Teàrlach, a oighreachan agus a thànaistean, a rèir an lagh.
Maree Todd (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)
I, Maree Todd, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Tha mise Maree Todd, gu sòlaimte is fìrinneach a’ cur an cèill agus ag innse gum bi mi dìleas agus fìor umhail do A Mhòrachd An Rìgh Teàrlach, a oighreachan agus a thànaistean, a rèir an lagh.
David Torrance (Scottish National Party, Kirkcaldy)
I, David Herd Torrance, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Jenny Young (Labour, Central Scotland and Lothians West)
I, Jenny Young, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)
I, Stephen Patrick Gethins, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
Kate Campbell (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent)
My first allegiance is to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign.
I, Kate Rosa Campbell, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.
The Presiding Officer
I wish to inform members that nominations for the position of Presiding Officer will open at 12.30 pm. Nomination forms can be collected from the parliamentary business team, which is situated in T1.03. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the parliamentary business team no later than 1.30 pm this afternoon. Nomination forms will be valid only if they detail the name of the candidate, the member who is nominating the candidate and the member who is seconding that nomination. When submitting nomination papers, candidates or their representatives may wish to provide the name of any member who will act as a scrutineer on behalf of the candidate.
Parliament will reconvene at 1.30 pm, when I will announce the nominations that have been received for the position of Presiding Officer. I will then suspend proceedings for a further period of one hour, and we will reconvene at 2.30 pm for the election.
Nominations for Deputy Presiding Officers may be submitted only following the election of the Presiding Officer. The period during which nominations may be submitted will be announced by the new Presiding Officer, and the sitting will be adjourned for that purpose.
I suspend the meeting until 1.30 pm.
12:14
Meeting suspended.
13:32
On resuming—
Presiding Officer
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
The first meeting of the seventh session of the Parliament is resumed. I have received four valid nominations for the position of Presiding Officer. I shall now announce the nominations and ask all candidates, as their names are announced, to make themselves known to the chamber. In alphabetical order, the nominees are Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Liam McArthur and Stuart McMillan.
13:32
Meeting suspended.
14:31
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
As previously announced, I have received four valid nominations. In alphabetical order, the nominees are: Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Liam McArthur and Stuart McMillan.
The election shall proceed in accordance with rule 11.9 of standing orders. If no member receives an overall majority in the first round of voting, there will be subsequent rounds. Members should remain in their seats until I invite them to collect their ballot paper from clerks at the back of the chamber. Members with surnames beginning with the letters A to F should collect their ballot papers from the desk on my left at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up. Members with surnames beginning with the letters G to M should use the desk at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up. Members with surnames beginning with McA to Z should use the desk to the right at the back of the chamber, as indicated. Members should confirm their name with the clerks before they are issued with their ballot paper. To give members’ privacy when marking ballot papers, voting booths are available at the back of the chamber. Ballot papers should be marked with an X before being folded and then placed in one of the ballot boxes provided at the rear of the chamber. At the end of each voting period, I shall invite any scrutineers that have been nominated by each candidate to monitor the counting of votes at the back of the chamber, which is where clerks will empty the ballot boxes and begin counting votes. Candidates may also observe the count. I will announce the results of each round of voting when all votes have been counted and verified.
I declare the election of the Presiding Officer open. Members should now proceed to the appropriate desk to collect their ballot papers.
Members voted by secret ballot.
The Presiding Officer
Voting in the first round of the election of the Presiding Officer is closed. I now invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count.
In the first round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 46, Clare Haughey 42, Liam McArthur 34, Stuart McMillan 6.
As no member has received an overall majority of the votes cast, and as Stuart McMillan received the fewest votes, he will be eliminated from the election and a further round will take place with the following candidates: Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey and Liam McArthur.
There will be a short break while ballot papers are printed.
14:56
Meeting suspended.
15:02
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer: This voting period is now open. We will use the same voting procedure as before.
Members voted by secret ballot.
The Presiding Officer
Voting in this round of the Presiding Officer election is closed. I invite the scrutineers to proceed to the back of the chamber for the counting of votes. Again, candidates may also observe the count.
In the second round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 48, Clare Haughey 44, Liam McArthur 36.
Accordingly, as no candidate received an overall majority of the votes cast, and as Liam McArthur received the fewest votes, he is eliminated from the election, and a further round will take place with the following candidates: Kenneth Gibson and Clare Haughey.
There will be a short break while ballot papers are printed.
15:22
Meeting suspended.
15:29
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
This voting period is now open, using the same voting procedure as before.
Members voted by secret ballot.
The Presiding Officer
Voting in the third round of the election of the Presiding Officer is closed. I invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count.
In this round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 74 and Clare Haughey 54. There was one abstention. There were no spoiled papers.
Accordingly, as Kenneth Gibson has received more votes than the total number of votes received by the other candidates, and as more than 25 per cent of members have voted, Kenneth Gibson is elected as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.]
I thank the other candidates. [Applause.]
I call Kenneth Gibson, the newly elected Presiding Officer, to take the chair for the remainder of this meeting of the Parliament. [Applause.]
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
Okay, folks. I have just been given some instructions about what will happen next. However, before that, I want to thank every member who has participated in this voting process. My belated congratulations to them if I have not already spoken to them about winning their own elections. I thank all those who have voted for me through thick and thin. It has been quite a stressful afternoon, as members can imagine.
I am looking forward to working with every member in the chamber to take the Parliament forward. There is so much more that we can be as a Parliament than we have been in the past, and I will certainly do my utmost to work with you to take us forward.
Now that we have just elected a Presiding Officer, the next step is to take nominations for the positions of Deputy Presiding Officer, which are now open. Members may collect nomination forms from the business team in room T1.03, which is located in the chamber office. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the business team no later than quarter to five. When submitting nomination papers, candidates or their representatives may wish to provide the name of any member who will act as a scrutineer on their behalf.
The Parliament will reconvene at half past four—in fact, it will not be at half past four, because that is 15 minutes before the close of nominations. It has been a long day. At quarter to five I will announce the nominations received for the positions of Deputy Presiding Officer. I will then suspend Parliament for a further period of one hour and we will reconvene at 5.45 for the election.
I suspend the meeting until 4.45.
15:50
Meeting suspended.
16:50
On resuming—
Deputy Presiding Officers
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
The first meeting of the seventh session of the Parliament is now resumed. I have received five valid nominations for the position of Deputy Presiding Officer. I shall now announce the nominees and ask all candidates, as their names are announced, to make themselves known to the chamber. In alphabetical order, the nominees are Clare Adamson, Claire Baker, Miles Briggs, Katy Clark and Stuart McMillan.
I will suspend the meeting until 5.50. If anyone is wondering why there is a wait of an hour, it is so that the candidates can press the flesh.
16:50
Meeting suspended.
17:49
On resuming—
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
Good afternoon, everyone. I am glad that you are all with us once more. This will be the last voting session of the afternoon, you will be glad to know—before you can all depart the scene.
I have received five valid nominations for the position of Deputy Presiding Officer, and I shall now announce the nominations again in alphabetical order. They are: Clare Adamson, Claire Baker, Miles Briggs, Katy Clark and Stuart McMillan.
The election shall proceed in accordance with rules 11.9 and 3.3 of standing orders, with voting procedures being the same as those used in the election of the Presiding Officer. Members will be voting for only one person at this point. If no candidate receives an overall majority in the first round of voting, there will be subsequent rounds. This procedure will also be followed for the election of the second Deputy Presiding Officer.
When the first Deputy Presiding Officer is elected, voting rounds will begin for the second Deputy Presiding Officer, involving all candidates who were unsuccessful in the election of the first.
Without further ado, we open the voting session. We now proceed to—[Interruption.] I can see you, Lloyd—don’t think I can’t. Steady. Members can now proceed to the appropriate desk to collect their ballot papers.
Members voted by secret ballot.
The Presiding Officer: Voting in this round of the Deputy Presiding Officer election is now closed. I invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count.
As that will take a few minutes, I am delighted to advise members that there is catering in the coffee lounge next door, which includes bars of chocolate, crisps, sandwiches and so on. In the previous session, there were some very unscrupulous individuals who occasionally slipped the odd bar of chocolate or bag of crisps into their pocket—I hope that that will not be revisited in this session. Thank you, all.
In the first round of voting in the election of the Deputy Presiding Officers, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Clare Adamson 46, Claire Baker 16, Miles Briggs 38, Katy Clark 6, Stuart McMillan 17.
As no one has secured a majority, we will proceed to the next round of voting, with Katy Clark having been eliminated.
There will be a short break while new ballot papers are printed.
18:11
Meeting suspended.
18:16
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer: We have new ballot papers. The voting period is therefore reopened, using the same voting procedure as before.
Members voted by secret ballot.
The Presiding Officer: Voting for this round of the Deputy Presiding Officer election is now closed. I invite scrutineers to proceed to the back of the chamber for the count. Candidates may also observe the count.
Colleagues, in this round of voting in the Deputy Presiding Officer election, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Clare Adamson 58, Claire Baker 22, Miles Briggs 37 and Stuart McMillan 10. As no one has received the required number of votes, Stuart McMillan will drop out and we will move forward to another round of voting with Clare Adamson, Claire Baker and Miles Briggs as the three remaining candidates.
Once again, we will have a brief break while new ballot papers are printed.
18:35
Meeting suspended.
18:40
On resuming—
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
Okay, folks, you know the drill. Ballot papers are at the back of the chamber.
Members voted by secret ballot.
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
Voting for this round of the Deputy Presiding Officer election is now closed. I invite scrutineers to proceed to the back of the chamber for the count. Again, candidates may also observe the count.
Colleagues, you will be delighted to know that we have a result. In this round of voting for the election of the Deputy Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Clare Adamson 68, Claire Baker 18, Miles Briggs 41.
Accordingly, as Clare Adamson received more votes than the total number of votes received by the other candidates, and as more than 25 per cent of members voted, Clare Adamson is elected as Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.]
Voting rounds will now begin for the election of the second Deputy Presiding Officer, involving all the candidates who were unsuccessful in the election of the first Deputy Presiding Officer. However, as the Presiding Officer and the first Deputy Presiding Officer come from the same political party, Stuart McMillan is not eligible to be a candidate in this election. For clarity, the candidates are: Claire Baker, Miles Briggs and Katy Clark.
There will now be a short break—that is right; you have guessed it—while ballot papers are printed. Therefore, I suspend the meeting until such time as they are printed.
18:58
Meeting suspended.
19:05
On resuming—
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
I declare that the election for the second Deputy Presiding Officer is now open. The voting procedures are the same as before.
Members voted by secret ballot.
The Presiding Officer: Voting in this round of the Deputy Presiding Officer election is closed. I invite the scrutineers, along with the candidates, to proceed to the back of the chamber for the counting of votes.
In this round of voting in the election of the second Deputy Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Claire Baker 30, Miles Briggs 50, Katy Clark 44. There were three abstentions.
As no one has secured a majority, Claire Baker is eliminated and we will proceed to the final round of voting. That will happen as soon as the ballot papers are printed—obviously.
19:21
Meeting suspended.
19:27
On resuming—
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
Ballot papers up the back. Please vote now.
Members voted by secret ballot.
Kenneth Gibson (Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North)
Everyone has now voted. Once again, I ask scrutineers and candidates to please go to the back of the chamber. The votes will be counted for the final time.
In the final round of voting to elect a second Deputy Presiding Officer, the number of votes that were cast for each candidate is as follows: Miles Briggs 55, Katy Clark 68. There were three abstentions and one spoiled paper.
Accordingly, as Katy Clark received more votes than the total number of votes that were received by the other candidate, and as more than 25 per cent of members voted, Katy Clark is elected as the second Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.]
I thank all the candidates for Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer who participated in proceedings this afternoon and this evening.
The next meeting of the Parliament will be at 2 pm on Tuesday 19 May to select a nominee for the appointment of First Minister. Following that, there will be a photograph of us all, so wear your Sunday best.
I now close this first meeting of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament.
Meeting closed at 19:43.