The Scottish Parliament is now in dissolution ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections on May 6th. Any references to John as a MSP below were made prior to dissolution.

John has welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to take the railways under public ownership. Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed ministers will not renew Scotrail operator Abellio’s contract and instead run the railways under an arm’s length company. Responding to the announcement, Scottish Greens transport spokesperson John said: “Greens have long called for public...

The Scottish Greens have agreed a major budget deal with the Scottish Government to tackle rising poverty, give frontline workers a pay rise and sow the seeds of a green recovery. Here’s what we’ve delivered. Pandemic Relief Payments To help tackle rising poverty, particularly amongst children and families, £100m will be allocated to Pandemic Relief … Continue reading Scottish Budget...

Welcoming the announcement that 21 rural fire stations across the NHS Highland area are to be used as testing sites, following successful trials at Thurso and Lochgilphead, John said: “The Scottish Greens have consistently highlighted the importance of testing throughout the pandemic, as part of a robust test, trace and isolate system. It is essential … Continue reading John Welcomes Rural...

The Scottish Green Party has set out a proposal for the biggest rail investment programme Scotland has ever seen. Our fully costed £22bn plan would transform our railway, building a modern, zero-carbon network that is affordable an accessible for all. These plans are about making rail the natural choice for every journey, whether your commuting, … Continue reading Rail for All

The pandemic has brought into sharp relief many of the inequalities in our society. While the crisis brought new struggles for everyone, in most cases it was those on low incomes, in insecure work, or vulnerable for other reasons that bore the brunt of the virus’s devastation. There’s no doubt that working from home brought … Continue reading The Pandemic has exposed...

Scotland will join more than 50 countries that provide children with the same legal protection from assault that adults enjoy when the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 comes into force tomorrow .  The law, steered through the parliamentary process by John, was passed overwhelmingly by the Scottish Parliament last year. It removes the … Continue reading...

I recently lodged two motions in the Scottish Parliament on Catalonia or, more specifically, the actions of the Spanish state in Catalonia. The 2017 referendum resulted unprecedented international media attention for the Catalan independence movement, but while the world’s eyes have since turned elsewhere the fallout from that vote continues to this day. In the … Continue reading Democracy...

Scottish Greens Rural and Island Communities Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has welcomed cross party agreement to mandate the use of CCTV in slaughterhouses hailing it an, “excellent animal welfare provision.” The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Scotland) Regulations 2020 were agreed at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity …...

The Scottish Greens have welcomed calls from the RMT union to renationalise Scotland’s railways after the Welsh Government announced it would appoint a public operator to run rail services as a result of the private rail operator’s  failure to meet its contractual obligations due to the massive drop in passenger numbers caused by  Covid–19. Commenting, … Continue reading...

The great cheerleaders of Brexit knew that the Irish border would become a Gordian knot of Brexit negotiations, with no solution providing justice or satisfaction to every party involved. During the campaign they managed to duck the issue by suggesting that the trade deal between the EU and the UK would be quickly agreed, with … Continue reading Kent Border Will Damage Island’s...

One year ago, Holyrood took a courageous step when it passed the Equal Protection Bill, meaning that children in Scotland are afforded the same legal protection from assault that adults enjoy. This will come into full legal effect in a few short weeks. I was extremely proud to bring forward that Bill which will enhance … Continue reading One year on from the Equal Protection Bill

John has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament condemning recent comments from Priti Patel on Travellers. In an online meeting with Jewish leaders, the Home Secretary suggested that violence and criminality were endemic in the Traveller community. Her comments have been condemned in an open later signed by more than 80 academics and race … Continue reading John Slams Home Secretary’s...

John has called on the Conservative Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy Committee to call UK Ministers before it to explain how chaotic Brexit plans will impact Scotland’s food producers. In a Letter to Sir Edward Mountain, John highlighted recent reports that queues of 7,000 port-bound trucks could be delayed for up to two … Continue reading John calls for Rural...

Responding to a statement on the Scottish Government’s infrastructure plan, John as Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson has called on the Transport Secretary to consider a rail and road solution to the ongoing Rest and Be Thankful saga. Speaking afterward, said: “Events at the Rest and Be Thankful illustrate the devastating impact the climate emergency is … Continue reading John Calls...

Responding to reports that Caledonian Sleeper staff are to strike, John as Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson said: “The Caledonian Sleeper staff can count on the solidarity and support of the Scottish Greens in their current dispute. Serco is a disreputable outsourcing giant that should never have been awarded the Caledonian Sleeper contract, or indeed any public … Continue reading...

The Scottish Government must take immediate action to climate proof Scotland’s railways, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has said. Speaking following the closure of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Crianlarich due to a landslip the Highlands and Islands MSP called for urgent action to protect Scotland’s rail network. John Finnie … Continue reading...

The redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse risks letting organisations where abuse took place off the hook, Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has said. Speaking in response to a parliamentary statement from the Education Secretary this afternoon, Mr Finnie noted that the scheme would likely afford survivors, who would be forced … Continue reading Abuse...

Commenting on reports that the main Glasgow – Edinburgh rail line may be forced to close because of the impact of severe weather, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said: “The Scottish Government must finally take the threats posed by the climate crisis to Scotland’s transport infrastructure seriously. “In just the last week we’ve … Continue reading Action...

the driven grouse shooting season which began on Wednesday must be the last seen in Scotland, the Scottish Greens have said. The cruel Victorian hobby, enjoyed by very few people, was the subject of a two-year review led by Professor Alan Werrity which reported in January. Despite the fact its recommendations appeared to have been … Continue reading Grouse Season Must Be The Last Seen...