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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Colin Smyth

Scottish Labour

MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day

About Colin Smyth

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @colinsmythmsp

Facebook: Colin's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6986
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

1 Church Crescent
Dumfries
DG1 1DF

Phone: 01387 279205
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Colin is a member of 18 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Animal Welfare

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on China

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Civil Nuclear Industry

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Co-Operatives

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fair Trade

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Heart and Circulatory Diseases

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Japan

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rural Policy

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wood Panel Industry

Deputy Convener

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Colin has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Colin does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Colin has had 23 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

17 June 2021 - 13 November 2024

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Member

16 November 2023 - 31 January 2024

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Member

01 February 2023 - 25 April 2023

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Economic Development

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Net Zero

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

29 September 2021 - 01 February 2023

Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Substitute Member

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Constitution

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Europe

Scottish Labour

28 June 2016 - 04 May 2021

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Substitute Member

09 January 2018 - 04 May 2021

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Member

19 December 2017 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Telecommunications

Scottish Labour

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure

Scottish Labour

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Labour

19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Labour

08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018

Health and Sport Committee

Member

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Health

Scottish Labour

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Chief Whip

Scottish Labour

Register of interests

Colin's register of interests

MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.

Here is the register for Colin Smyth. The date of their initial statement was 05 June 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

No registrable interests

Overseas visits

From 9 February to 13 February 2024 I visited California, USA, as part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs, meeting health professionals, family members of individuals who had used the state’s End of Life Options Act, Senators and representatives of organisations who provide information about the provisions of the Act. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation and meals amounted to £2,694 and were paid by the permissible donor Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT). [Registered 8 March 2024]

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

I am member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

I am Chairperson of the Dumfries and Galloway Fairtrade Steering Group.

I am a member of Unite the Union.

Until 4 May 2017, when I stood down, I was a senior councillor for Dumfries and Galloway Council (of English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD). I worked approximately 20 hours per week and I received remuneration of between £20,001 and £25,000 per annum. I donated my salary to local and national good causes/charities. I do not believe this meets the prejudice test.

Until 31 May 2016 I was a volunteer coordinator at Parkinson’s UK, a charity organisation (of 215 Vauxhaull Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EJ). I received remuneration of between £25,001 and £30,000 per annum and worked 35 hours per week. I do not believe this meets the prejudice test.

I am a member of the League Against Cruel Sports.

I am Chairperson of the Eastriggs Railway Station Action Group (ERSAG).

I am a member of GMB Union.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Colin Smyth has said in Parliament

These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.

Chamber meeting date: 4 June 2025

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Scotland has a proud history of invention and innovation, from the telephone to the television, and from the pneumatic tyre to penicillin…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 4 June 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private

The Convener (Colin Smyth): "Good morning, and welcome to the 18th meeting in 2025 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. We have apologies from Jamie Halcro Johnston…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 4 June 2025

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

The Convener: "Item 2 is the committee’s first evidence session as part of our scrutiny of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill at stage 1…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 4 June 2025

Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Act 2024 (Consequential Amendments and Forms) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/145)

The Convener: "Item 3 is consideration of a negative Scottish statutory instrument. No member has lodged a motion to annul the instrument, and no one has indicated that they wish to speak. The committee is invited simply to note the instrument…

Chamber meeting date: 29 May 2025

Roads (A75 Improvements)

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "The reality is that the only investment on the table for meaningful upgrade work is from the UK Government for the bypasses at Crocketford and Springholm…

Votes

How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament

Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-17858

Care Reform (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Maree Todd, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 9, 2025

Supported by: Neil Gray, Jenni Minto
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Result 116 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17785

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Submitted by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 2, 2025

Supported by: Tom Arthur, Richard Lochhead
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Result 84 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17785.2

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Result 55 for, 57 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17785.3

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Submitted by: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Result 28 for, 83 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17670.2

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 49 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motions

Questions

Questions Colin Smyth has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question ref. S6W-38435

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many species-specific licences, issued by NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland currently holds; for which species, and for what purposes."

Answer expected on 20 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38436

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether any species licences issued to Forestry and Land Scotland by NatureScot can be transferred to third parties without the prior approval of NatureScot, and whether any such formal consent is in place at present for third party use."

Answer expected on 20 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38437

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether Forestry and Land Scotland has allowed external organisations to work under its own species-specific killing, disturbance or shelter destruction licences when carrying out forestry operations on the national forest estate; if so, how often, and which species are involved in any instances of such a licence…

Answer expected on 20 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38438

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government which external organisations or type of organisations have undertaken operations under any Forestry and Land Scotland species-specific licence."

Answer expected on 20 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37608

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Programme for Government 2025-26 announcement of 20,000 additional orthopaedic, ophthalmology and general surgery procedures is in addition to the announcement of 30,000 procedures contained within the NHS Operational Improvement Plan, which was published in March 2025."

Answered by Neil Gray on 28 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37337

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will review and update its social security uptake strategy."

Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37232

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 2 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) complete and (b) publish the outcome of its review of the guidance on the mothballing of rural schools and nurseries."

Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-37069

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provides to Scottish Borders council to reflect any additional costs directly associated with providing nursery education in a rural setting."

Answered by Shona Robison on 6 May 2025

Question ref. S6O-04599

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that one in three diagnoses of prostate cancer in Scotland are at stage 4, which is a higher proportion compared with the rest of the UK."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 1 May 2025

Question ref. S6W-36538

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 April 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that muirburn does not create smoke levels that damage human health or cause a nuisance, in light of reports of significant smoke drift affecting communities in the Scottish Borders, including Peebles and Stobo."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 April 2025

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