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 Testing Expansion
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Rail for All
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 exposed society’s inequalities
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 society’s inequalities
Equal Protection Law Comes Into force
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 Equal Protection Law Comes Into force
Democracy and Catalonia
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 and Catalonia
Greens welcome step forward for animal welfare
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 … Continue reading Greens welcome step forward for animal welfare
Greens welcome news Wales is to renationalise railways
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 Greens welcome news Wales is to renationalise railways
Kent Border Will Damage Island’s Reputation for Quality Produce
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 Reputation for Quality Produce
One year on from the Equal Protection Bill
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 Slams Home Secretary’s Traveller comments
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 Traveller comments