Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the work of Carmyle Re:Run in bringing the Carmyle community together and campaigning to protect local facilities; commends its efforts to give local residents a stronger voice in decisions affecting their neighbourhood; notes that the organisation hosted the Spirits in the Park event, which gave local children and families a space to come together and celebrate Halloween 2026, and commends all the volunteers whose hard work helped make the event happen.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01766 in the name of Maree Todd (Strengthening Scotland's Public Health Approach to Preventing Alcohol and Drug Deaths), insert at end "; notes that the drug-misuse death rate, as reported by the National Records of Scotland, is over 10 times higher in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived areas; regards this as evidence that working-class communities are disproportionately affected by drug-related harm, and agrees that the right to recovery must be considered as part of the efforts to address substance abuse.”

That the Parliament congratulates Erica Matteo and Luke Anderson, both aged 19, on being ordained as elders at Sandyhills Parish Church in the east end of Glasgow; recognises that Erica and Luke are two of the youngest people in recent Church of Scotland history to hold such positions; commends Rev Norman Afrin and the congregation for encouraging young people to take an active role in church leadership; recognises the importance of Scotland’s Christian heritage and the continuing contribution of churches to local communities; welcomes the commitment of young people who choose to serve their congregations through faith and leadership, and wishes Erica and Luke every success with their new responsibilities.

That the Parliament congratulates Marion Lindsay of 3D Families Drumchapel on being named Glasgow’s High Street Hero at the Scotland Loves Local Awards 2026; recognises what it sees as the valuable work of 3D Families in supporting families and strengthening the Drumchapel community; acknowledges the dedication and commitment shown by Marion in making a positive difference to local people, and commends all those who work tirelessly to support their communities across Glasgow and Scotland.

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the historic and the enduring influence of Christianity on Scotland’s national identity, culture, laws, education and traditions; acknowledges what it considers to be the profound significance of the Scottish Reformation of 1560, which helped shape Scotland’s religious, intellectual and civic life, including the development of Presbyterianism and the historic emphasis placed on the authority of Scripture; recognises the contributions of figures such as John Knox and the many generations of ministers, reformers and congregations who helped shape the nation’s history; notes the importance of Reformation Sunday as an opportunity to reflect on Scotland’s Christian heritage and the continuing relevance of the Reformation’s legacy; acknowledges the contribution of churches and Christian organisations to communities across Scotland through worship, pastoral care, charitable work, food banks, youth activities and support for vulnerable people; believes that Scotland’s Christian heritage should be recognised, preserved and taught to future generations, and encourages communities across Scotland to mark Reformation Sunday by reflecting on the country’s religious history and the contribution of Christianity to Scottish life.

That the Parliament recognises Charlene McKechnie, owner of Charlene’s Cafe on Wardie Road in the east end of Glasgow; acknowledges the importance of independent cafes and local businesses in bringing people together and supporting community life; notes the contribution that local business owners such as Charlene make to the communities that they serve; congratulates Charlene on being nominated for The Glasgow Times Community Champion of the Year award, and extends its best wishes to Charlene for her continued work in Easterhouse and the surrounding areas.

That the Parliament condemns the Green Party of England and Wales's decision to adopt what it sees as an explicitly anti-Jewish policy and to characterise Zionism as racism; considers that this is an extreme and divisive position, which treats support for Israel as inherently illegitimate; recognises that Zionism is often defined as the movement supporting the Jewish people’s right to their historic homeland; affirms what it sees as the right of the State of Israel to exist as the national home of the Jewish people and the right of Jewish people in Scotland to identify as Zionists without fear of intimidation or discrimination; believes that opposing racism must include opposing attempts to portray an entire national movement as inherently racist; condemns antisemitism in all its forms; calls on Ross Greer MSP and Gillian McKay MSP to condemn the motion passed by their sister party, and further calls on political parties in Scotland to reject anti-Zionism.

That the Parliament recognises 7 October 2026 as the third anniversary of the barbaric terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel on 7 October 2023; remembers with sorrow the approximately 1,200 people murdered in the attacks, including babies, children, women, and older and young people attending the Nova music festival; recognises that 7 October was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust and believes that the massacre was an attack not only on individual Israelis, but on the State of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to live in security and freedom; condemns Hamas unequivocally as a proscribed terrorist organisation and rejects any attempt to justify, minimise or celebrate its atrocities; recognises the State of Israel as the national home of the Jewish people and affirms what it believes to be the Jewish people’s fundamental and historic right to national self-determination in their ancestral homeland; supports Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign, democratic and secure Jewish state and what it considers to be its right, like every other nation state, to defend its citizens against terrorism; remembers all who were taken hostage on 7 October and calls for the continued protection and dignity of every hostage and for the return of the remains of those who were murdered in captivity; condemns what it sees as the rise in antisemitism witnessed internationally since the attacks and expresses solidarity with Scotland’s Jewish community, affirming that Jewish people should be able to live openly and safely in Scotland without intimidation, hatred or fear; believes that denying Israel’s right to exist, or applying double standards to the Jewish state must not be permitted to become accepted forms of antisemitism; rejects calls for the dismantling or destruction of the State of Israel; supports a future in which Israelis can live in peace, security and prosperity, and calls on the Scottish Government to continue to stand firmly against antisemitism, terrorism and to reaffirm Scotland’s solidarity with the people of Israel and Jewish communities in Scotland and around the world. 

That the Parliament notes the ongoing debate across Scotland, and particularly in Glasgow, regarding the wearing of full-face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, in public places; recognises that legislation in Scotland already provides police with powers to require the removal of face coverings in specified circumstances where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are being used to conceal identity in connection with criminality or disorder; notes the Scottish Government’s current position that existing police powers are sufficient; further notes that a number of European countries have introduced restrictions on face coverings in public places, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to set out its assessment of the potential benefits of introducing further restrictions on full-face coverings in public places, including consideration of public safety, individual liberty and community cohesion.

That the Parliament congratulates McTaggart Construction on reaching its 80th anniversary in 2026; recognises the company’s longstanding contribution to Scotland’s construction industry and its role in delivering homes, schools, community facilities and other important infrastructure across Scotland; acknowledges the contribution of its workforce, apprentices and supply-chain partners over eight decades; notes the company’s commitment to supporting communities and charitable organisations across Scotland, including its £80,000 80th anniversary charitable giving programme, and wishes McTaggart Construction, its employees and partners continued success for the future.