Chamber and committees

The agreement reached between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party confirms and strengthens the clear mandate that was granted by the people of Scotland for a referendum on Scottish independence. Of the 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, 72 were elected on manifestos that commit them to a referendum on Scottish independence during the current parliamentary session.

A section 30 order has already been mentioned. It behoves the UK Government to respect the democratic wishes of the people who, in an election, returned a Government—[Interruption.] Again, Presiding Officer, we are getting interventions from a sedentary position that seek to disrespect the result of a democratic election.

The Government is committed to delivering what the people voted for, and they elected a majority of MSPs to this Parliament to do that. The honourable gentlemen and ladies on the Opposition benches do not recognise that; on these benches we do. We will deliver on the mandate that was delivered by the Scottish people.

I am sure that the Presiding Officer would chide me if I did not stick with the first question that was posed. Alex Rowley has asked an important question, but it is not related to the initial question that he asked.

On legal and constitutional relations with the European Union, members know that, in the next few years, we in this country will have an opportunity to make a decision on whether we will rejoin the European Union and become part of the biggest single market in the world. I hope that Alex Rowley and his colleagues will join us in agreeing that the people should be able to decide on that question. Even though we might disagree in the vote that might take place in that referendum, I hope that, as democrats, we agree on the constitutional legal position that, having elected a Parliament and Government to deliver such a vote to the people, the people should have that vote.

Scotland remains an inclusive European nation. We share with the European Union a vision for Europe that embodies democratic values, rises to the challenge of the global climate emergency and supports sustainable economic recovery from the global pandemic.

The Scottish Government continues to take a proactive role in engaging with EU institutions and member states, in particular through our Brussels office and external European network. We recognise the importance of learning from others and sharing experience across Europe.

Later this spring, we will open a new Scottish Government office in Copenhagen to further strengthen our EU ties and to increase Scotland’s economic and cultural connections with the Nordic region.

Not only has our unhappiness been conveyed to the UK Government, but, significantly, so too has the high level of agreement that exists between the Scottish National Party-led Government in the Scottish Parliament, the Labour-led Government in Wales and Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin ministers in Northern Ireland. We sat incredulous in a meeting with the UK Attorney General, who was acting at complete variance with the assurances in the agreement that had been announced only weeks earlier. It is fine and well to have agreements in principle about how intergovernmental relations should work, but, if the mindset does not change, relations will not improve. The answer is that, yes, we have communicated that to the UK Government and we are working very well and closely with colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland, of all political persuasions, to make sure that the UK Government hears loud and clear that its approach is totally and utterly unacceptable and has to change.

I would be delighted to meet Monica Lennon and campaigners on that issue. I am sure that, between her office and mine, we can find a suitable date as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government has already opened discussions with a number of organisations, including Birthlink, the National Records of Scotland and a number of adoption agencies through Social Work Scotland’s fostering and adoption sub-group. We will continue to meet them as we seek to expand our understanding of this complex and multifaceted issue. Meeting the campaigners that Monica Lennon has mentioned would be a good addition to that process.

This is a long-standing and complicated issue. I hope that there is agreement across the parties that we need to find remedies. We want to do that as quickly as possible, and I am happy to be advised by colleagues of all political parties about how best we do that.

The Scottish Government does not comment on the content or source of legal advice. Other than in exceptional circumstances, Government legal advice is not released and remains confidential. That reflects the public interest in the provision of free and frank legal advice and maintaining the right to confidentiality of communications between legal advisers and clients.

The law officers advise the Government about any bill that ministers introduce. That is recognised in paragraphs 2.41 and 3.4 of the Scottish ministerial code.

The United Kingdom Government’s determination to impose a hard Brexit against the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland has caused significant impacts across society. Some of the hardest hit have been businesses, which continue to be faced with trade friction, additional checks and increased administration costs.

The Scottish Government supports and invests in businesses in a vast range of ways. Brexit is making it harder for those policies to achieve their objectives and to deliver positive outcomes for Scotland because of the permanent damage it is inflicting on our economic relationship with the European Union.

I congratulate Stephen Kerr on securing the debate and on his speech—it is a rare occasion on which I agree with every word that he says.

I am pleased to take part in this evening’s proceedings as the Scottish Government minister with responsibility for the royal household, as a member of Her Majesty’s Privy Council and as a member of the Scottish Cabinet, which sent its appreciation this week for the long and distinguished service of our head of state.

The debate allows me to provide a brief update to the Parliament on this year’s platinum jubilee in Scotland and to reconfirm the Scottish Government’s recognition and commendation of Her Majesty the Queen’s remarkable legacy and dedication to duty during the 70 years of her reign here and in the 15 other independent states around the world—including Canada, Australia and New Zealand—where she is head of state.

Her Majesty is bound to Scotland by ties of ancestry and affection, as has been noted. As a direct descendent of the royal house of Stewart on both sides of her family, her personal relationship with the people of Scotland and our country began in childhood and has deepened through her many private and official visits during the seven decades of her reign.

This is an apt time to recall some of the milestones of Her Majesty’s visits and engagements in Scotland throughout the past seven decades. Her Majesty’s first state visit to Scotland as Queen came on 24 June 1953, just weeks after the coronation. Cheering crowds witnessed a magnificent procession accompanying the royal carriage, bearing the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, to St Giles cathedral for a national service of thanksgiving. There, for the first time since 1822, the honours of Scotland were carried before the monarch and presented to her.

In September 1967, Her Majesty visited John Brown’s shipyard at Clydebank, which was the birthplace of the Royal Yacht Britannia, RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth. On that occasion, she christened the new Cunard liner, the QEII.

In 1977, the year of Her Majesty’s silver jubilee, about 200,000 people in Glasgow welcomed her on her tour of Scotland. Further north, in Dundee, 10,000 Dundonians waved as she passed through and, in Aberdeen, I am told that the crowds waiting on the pavements to see her were 20 people deep.

On 24 July 1986, here in Edinburgh, Her Majesty opened the Commonwealth games, which is an undertaking that she performed again in 2014, when Glasgow hosted the games.

In July 1999, with the return of Scotland’s Parliament for the first time in nearly 300 years, Her Majesty formally opened the Parliament, which was then housed in the General Assembly hall, and gifted a specially commissioned mace—which rests before us—to mark the Parliament’s authority. In her speech, she commented:

“This is a society in which the qualities of co-operation, learning, entrepreneurial flair and national pride run deep”,

before mentioning

“the grit, determination and humour, the forthrightness and above all the strong sense of identity of the Scottish people”,

which are all qualities that occupy a personal place in her own and her family’s affections.

In 2002, the golden jubilee year, Her Majesty visited Scotland and opened the jubilee wheel at the Millennium Link in Falkirk and the Space in the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee. She travelled to the Isle of Skye and to Lewis, and she attended the Borders gathering at Melrose.

In the 2010s, Her Majesty opened major pieces of infrastructure that have benefited the people of Scotland. In 2015, she opened the Borders railway, and the Queensferry crossing was officially opened by her in September 2017. The 2010s was also the decade of Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee; in 2012, Perth had its city status restored by the Queen.

Most recently, there has never been a clearer indication of Her Majesty’s selfless dedication to duty and her love of Scotland and its people than her attendance at the opening of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in October last year, just a few short months after she lost her consort of 73 years.

Her Majesty congratulated the Parliament for marking the new session safely in “a very trying period”, while noting that Parliament had

“been at the heart of Scotland’s response to the pandemic”.

Her Majesty then told the chamber of her

“deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories”

that she held of her time here. She added that the new session brought

“a sense of beginning and renewal”,

and she urged us all to “work together” despite any “differences of opinion”.

We strongly hope to see Her Majesty again this summer, during royal week, while she is in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and holding summer court at Balmoral.

Throughout her reign, the Queen has demonstrated commitment and support to a diverse group of organisations that span the length and breadth of Scotland. That varied list includes the Aberdeen Association of Social Service; the Highland Association—An Comunn Gàidhealach; the Piobaireachd Society; the Royal Caledonian Curling Club; the Scottish Football Association; and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. I could go on.

Her Majesty also holds a number of appointments in the armed forces in Scotland. She is, for example, colonel-in-chief of both the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Through her patronages, Her Majesty had provided vital publicity for the work of those organisations and has allowed their enormous achievements and contributions to society to be recognised.

Her Majesty is one of the longest-serving monarchs in the world ever—the length of her reign has recently overtaken that of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria-Hungary. This year, her platinum jubilee will be celebrated throughout the land. We have ensured that the people of Scotland have access to the long weekend in early June so that they can enjoy community-led events. Those include the big lunch, dedicated Highland games and Guinness world record attempts. We will also see the return from previous events of the lighting of beacons. I have recently been advised that a tune that has been composed for the occasion by piper Stuart Liddell of Inveraray will be played throughout the Commonwealth as the sun sets on 2 June.

There is also great engagement with the Queen’s Green Canopy, as that initiative to

“plant a tree for the Jubilee”

has been taken forward by schools, communities, scout and guide troops and individuals, to name but a few. Plantings range from single trees to platinum crowns of silver birch, and those, as well as the dedication of ancient trees to the platinum jubilee, will enhance and benefit local areas.

We are indebted to the work that has been carried out by the Scottish lord-lieutenants, community and local councils, and local authorities in engaging with their communities to develop all those activities.

Her Majesty’s selfless dedication to and affection for Scotland and its people, as head of state and as a steadfast friend of our Parliament since its establishment in 1999, are beyond question. Her Majesty the Queen has led us forward through remarkable innovations, such as we have seen in technology and medicine, while providing a firm foundation for us through the difficulties of a changing climate and a worldwide pandemic.

I invite members to join me in noting our respect for Her Majesty the Queen’s immeasurable dedication to and affection for Scotland and its people, and in offering our unreserved thanks for her selfless and dutiful service to our country.

The member will forgive me, but I am running out of time.

Alarmingly, the UK Government seems blind to that. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries, just over a week ago to raise my concern about the UK Government’s actions and intentions. I am sad to say that, instead of recognising what we have and supporting the BBC and other public service broadcasters in delivering more value for everyone in the UK, she seems intent on dismantling them, one bit at a time.

First, the UK Government shifted responsibility for the welfare policy of free licences for the over-75s to the BBC. At the time, the cost to the UK Government was £608 million, or about a fifth of the BBC budget. Caring for older people must be the Government’s job, not the BBC’s. I urge the UK Government to stop diverting blame for the consequences of its decision to the broadcaster and to take back that social responsibility.

After that, the Government announced that it would consult on privatising Channel 4, putting at risk the distinct role that it plays by making programmes in the public interest and helping to grow the independent production sector. That came at a time when the channel was showing its resilience, having weathered the pandemic and increased its focus on content spend and investment in Scotland.

Now Ms Dorries has announced that she is freezing the licence fee at £159 for two years, and has suggested a review that could result in the funding model being scrapped altogether in 2027. The cumulative effect of those announcements is to weaken the BBC and public broadcasting and to make it harder for them to do what they do best.

The BBC is not perfect, but we have to recognise its importance to Scotland in so many ways, including for the role that it plays in promoting the Gaelic language and successful Gaelic productions—such as “Bannan”—through BBC Alba, and in bringing communities together across Scotland with TV and local radio services.

Although we have been critical of the level of BBC spend in Scotland and of how that compares unfavourably to that in the other devolved nations, given the proportion of licence fee that is raised here, there are signs of improvement. Underpinned by a memorandum of understanding between Screen Scotland and the BBC, more new original content is being made in Scotland and Scotland-based talent is being developed. New series, such as the Scotland-written and Scotland-produced comedy “Guilt”, are being shown on network television. More content that is made in Scotland, by Scottish writers, directors and producers, is to come.

To be frank, the BBC should locate network commissioning in Scotland. We want it to do more, not less. However, the actions of the UK Government will make any improvements hard to sustain. BBC director general Tim Davie has warned that the licence fee freeze will leave the BBC with a shortfall of £285 million by 2027-28 and have a direct impact on output. Far from levelling up, it looks more like grinding down.

Returning to the motion, I reiterate my support for the BBC and public service broadcasting and recognise the importance of its original content and public service. I agree that its value stems from the principles of universality and diversity and that we should defend those. Although the landscape is changing for media, it is still fair to say that the public service broadcasters remain the cornerstones of creativity in our production sector. Audiences in Scotland are still spending, on average, eight hours and 44 minutes every week watching the BBC.

It is clear from the speeches from across the chamber what our renowned system of public service broadcasting means to so many people in Scotland. We have long argued that broadcasting policy should be devolved to ensure that we can take the right decisions for our creative economy and for Scottish viewers and listeners. The latest signs from the UK Government that it is prepared to put public service broadcasting and the BBC at risk of instability only strengthens my view that the future of public broadcasting would be much safer in Scotland’s hands.

I find it disappointing that the member for Edinburgh Western is not seeking to build compromise in the chamber, but I look forward to debating these issues in the future.

Nick Robinson has reflected on his part in reporting the 2014 referendum and has said that he has regretted it in part. The member for Edinburgh Western should reflect on the fact that there was highly contentious reporting during the independence referendum. As someone who is an incredibly strong supporter of the BBC, I am sorry to say that it did not come up to its high standards of impartiality during that time. As a result of that, the level of public confidence in the broadcaster is lower in Scotland, and I think that everybody, not least the BBC, should reflect on that.

When Covid hit, we got a further reminder of why broadcasting matters. The BBC in particular became our school, our place of worship, our social escape and our source of crucial public information in those long weeks when we could not see our families and friends. As has been mentioned, we need look only at the enormous impact of David Attenborough’s “Blue Planet” in waking us up to the danger of climate change. That is what real public service broadcasting looks like and is doing today.