Latest news with #ScottishConservatives'
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Tory MSP denies talks with Nigel Farage's Reform UK about defecting
Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson said he 'wouldn't even know how to contact' Reform UK's Scottish leader, Martyn Greene. A Tory MSP has denied claims he has held talks with Reform and is considering defecting. Martyn Greene, Reform UK 's Scottish leader, said he had met with several Tory MSPs who were interested in joining the party including Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson. But when asked about the meeting by the Sunday Mail, Simpson denied it had taken place and said he 'wouldn't even know how to contact' Greene. Greene described Simpson as a 'nice fellow' and said he was 'quiet, unassuming and solid'. He said: 'I may have had a cup of coffee with him once or twice. Quite recently. 'He's not put himself forward for a seat [for the Tories ] as far as I know. 'There's a few MSPs that I've spoken to. There's only a few I would consider because we don't want egos.' Asked about the discussion Simpson said: 'I don't know what you're on about. 'I've not had coffee with Martyn Greene. I have not met Mr Greene. 'I wouldn't even know how to contact him. I suppose I'd have to go through [recently-defected councillor] Thomas Kerr or something like that. That's very strange.' When asked if he was planning to defect, the MSP said 'No.' Simpson is one of several Tory MSPs rumoured to be disgruntled with his current party under new leader Russell Findlay. Insiders previously told of how Findlay's no-nonsense approach and his apparent popularity with the party's London bosses was not proving a hit with the Holyrood group. Jamie Greene, former Tory MSP elected in 2016, quit the party in April and launched a scathing attack on Findlay, accusing him of pandering to Reform. He said chasing Nigel Farage supporters for votes would 'never see the Scottish Conservatives in government' and was repositioning the Tories as the 'nasty party'. Thomas Kerr, the Scottish Conservatives' Glasgow City Council group leader, quit the party in January after seven years and defected to Reform. There are now 12 Reform councillors in Scotland with the majority switcvhing allegiances from the Tories. One Tory member told the Sunday Mail any of Findlay's MSPs hoping to keep their jobs next year would be 'seriously considering' Reform. Reform was hoping to get its first MSP in Ross Lambie at last week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election but was pipped by Labour's Davy Russell. The seat became vacant following the death of long-serving SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scotsman
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Trans women to be banned from Scottish Parliament's female toilets after Supreme Court ruling
The presiding officer has written to all parliamentary staff to say toilets will be based on biological sex only. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Trans women are to be banned from using the female toilets at the Scottish Parliament. Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has written to all parliamentary staff to say Holyrood's toilets will be based on biological sex only from Monday following the Supreme Court's verdict. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Supreme Court ruled the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex, and the Scottish Government's guidance suggesting trans women can be classed as women for some pieces of legislation was 'incorrect'. A general view of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh | Press Association The Equality and Human Rights Commission has since issued interim guidance saying single-sex spaces should be based on biological sex rather than gender identity. Three existing toilets in the Parliament's public area will now be designated as gender-neutral. An existing shower and changing facility in an area of the building that is not accessible to the public will also become gender-neutral. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A consultation with staff will also be carried out to consider further changes 'in the medium to longer term'. Ms Johnstone said: 'As Scotland's legislature, it is vital that the Parliament fulfils its legal responsibilities. Our officials therefore took immediate steps following the publication of the judgement to review it in detail and to consider its implications for services and facilities at Holyrood. Alison Johnstone 'Parliament already has a good range of facilities across the campus and the changes we will make sure we are inclusive of the needs of all those who work here and visit.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Under 1 per cent of the Parliament's 600-strong staff are trans. The announcement has been welcomed by Tess White, the Scottish Conservatives' equalities spokeswoman, who says the 'timely response' will 'protect women's legal right to access single-sex spaces'.
Sky News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Sky News
First Minister John Swinney defends near £20,000 pay rise for SNP ministers as 'fair'
John Swinney has awarded his ministers a near £20,000 wage rise but has turned down the pay bump himself to avoid the perception he is "benefiting" from his own decisions. Scotland's first minister lifted the salary freeze - which was introduced by former SNP leader Alex Salmond in 2009 - to coincide with the start of the new tax year. All ministers will receive £19,126 extra from this month, taking the salary of a cabinet secretary to £116,125 and a junior minister to £100,575. It comes as many Scots are being forced to tighten their belts amid surging household bills, including council tax rises of up to 15.6%. Mr Swinney denied he made the decision to lift the pay freeze in a bid to entice SNP MPs from Westminster to Holyrood. It comes as many prominent MSPs have announced they plan to step down ahead of the Scottish parliament elections in 2026. The list includes former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Finance Secretary Shona Robison and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop During a news conference at Bute House in Edinburgh on Monday, Mr Swinney said: "I had no discussions with Westminster colleagues about that decision." The first minister said the 16-year freeze was "necessary", adding: "But I've applied the principle of fairness that I think all members of the Scottish parliament should be able to take the salary to which they are entitled. "I've reflected on my own position as the decision-maker and I've decided that, so that people don't think that I've taken a decision from which I benefit personally, that I'll leave my salary - MSP and ministerial - frozen, so there's no sense that I'm benefiting from decisions that I believe is fair to take for others." MSP Craig Hoy, the Scottish Conservatives' shadow finance secretary, branded the SNP's performance in office as "uniformly dismal". He added: "Nationalist politicians have made a mess of everything they touch - our NHS, education, housing, policing and transport - while stifling the economy, pushing through savage cuts and making Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK." John O'Connell, chief executive of TaxPayers' Alliance, said "Scots will be absolutely seething". He added: "The public realm is in a miserable state in Scotland, with politicians abjectly failing to deliver on voters' priorities, while also hammering taxpayers with some of the highest bills in the UK. "If these ministers had any shame they'd be abandoning this pay rise and would not consider another one until they've delivered a boost in living standards, measured by GDP per capita." During the media conference, Mr Swinney also announced the Scottish government's legislative programme will be published earlier than usual on 6 May to allow for a "full year of delivery" ahead of the 2026 elections. He said the legislative programme would make it easier to get appointments with GPs, adding that a "corner has been turned" on NHS performance. Mr Swinney said: "I know people are tired and anxious, desperate for light at the end of the tunnel, and that's why I want us to be prepared rather than simply scared. "Advice and activity in the face of this latest challenge, rather than just anxious. And it's why I want us to be united and creative in our response, to ensure that we are as resilient as we possibly can be. "You can put tariffs on many things, but you can't put them on ingenuity and common purpose. "The programme for government will be laser-focused on delivery. It will set out what I believe my government can and will deliver for the people in Scotland over the coming year." Mr Swinney said he had spoken to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other devolved leaders on Friday about US President Donald Trump's tariffs. He said while the call had been constructive, the UK government should do "much more to protect Scotland's economic interests". Mr Swinney said he will convene a meeting of business leaders and trade unions this week to discuss how to respond to the "emerging economic realities". The first minister also stated that the Grangemouth oil refinery should be nationalised by the UK government in light of action taken at the British Steel site at Scunthorpe. He urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to relax her fiscal rules, adding: "If British Steel is to be nationalised to protect it, then so too should Grangemouth".
