Official Report: search what was said in Parliament
The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
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Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]
First Minister
Meeting date: 19 May 2026
Gillian Mackay
I congratulate you on your appointment, Presiding Officer.
First, I acknowledge that, unless something dramatic happens, I should get 15 votes, so I doubt that I will become First Minister this afternoon. Despite that, there is something to be hopeful about. The electorate has returned not only the biggest-ever independence-supporting majority but the biggest-ever majority for parties that are socially progressive. Those who lost in numbers at the election were the ones chasing votes to the right, and that must inform what we do in this parliamentary session.
We acknowledge that the SNP won the election and should have the right to form a Government, and we will work with it on issues to make Scotland a fairer, greener and independent country. However, we will also hold that Government to account to ensure that ambition matches delivery. We want a debate on the future of Scotland as an independent nation, and I hope that the First Minister will keep his promise to bring that forward as soon as possible.
We have seen how badly Westminster has let Scotland down, making things much more difficult not just for the Parliament but for the people of Scotland. We were promised big things in the wake of 2014, but what followed was Brexit, a decade of Westminster failure, a merry-go-round of Prime Ministers and an ongoing climate breakdown. People’s lives have got materially worse, and Scotland must have our chance to choose differently.
For the Scottish Greens, independence is not an end goal in itself; it is a tool that we can use to make Scotland better, where democracy and decision making are closer to people. That is why, alongside that push for a referendum, we must use all the powers that we already have to make Scotland a better place to live in right now.
We all heard during the election campaign about the immediate and real impact that the cost of living crisis is having on people’s lives. There are a host of solutions that not only put money back into people’s pockets but help to tackle the climate emergency at the same time. Providing everyone with free bus travel would put money back into people’s pockets while moving more people on to public transport. We have seen the success of free bus travel for under-22s. Making sure that people, particularly those commuting, could leave the car at home would help to tackle transport emissions, which we have historically struggled to make a dent in. Other countries have taken that step in recent months, and we should absolutely be doing the same.
A large portion of families’ income is taken up by childcare costs. Unfortunately, we no longer live in a time where families can survive on one income, so good-quality, affordable childcare is a must. That, for us, has to be a universal offering, giving every child the same start and, crucially, making sure that the funding follows the child. Supporting families, particularly women, to be able to work with good-quality, reliable childcare will absolutely help to tackle child poverty.
It is crucial that we look at our tax system and how we tax wealth in particular, in order to make sure that we can afford the measures that will support many people across society. We need to make sure that everyone can have a home to call their own, that they can heat that home, that we have good-quality public services, that nurses and teachers are paid well and that we deliver that fairer society. Tax is how we fund those things, which are for the common good, and those with the most should contribute the most.
It is clear that the hopeful vision that the Scottish Greens put forward at the election resonates with the hundreds of thousands of Scots who voted for us. Above all else, perhaps, what people want to see now are actions that make Scotland a fairer, kinder and more welcoming country. Not only do we have a large pro-independence majority in this chamber, but we have a pro-Europe majority and a pro-immigration majority. This is a Parliament that not only recognises the contribution of all Scots, old and new, but says that Scotland’s future is one that looks outwards to our neighbours and friends across seas and borders.
The people of Scotland need this Parliament to work collaboratively in the face of unprecedented crises so as to make people’s lives better both here and around the world. The Scottish Greens are ready to do that. Scotland is ready, so let us make that happen.
14:15
Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]
Oaths and Affirmations
Meeting date: 14 May 2026
Gillian Mackay
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.
