Colin Smyth
Scottish Labour
MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day
About Colin Smyth
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: colinsmythmsp.com
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
17 Buccleuch Street
Dumfries
DG1 2AT
Phone: 01387 279205
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Colin is a member of 3 committees
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Substitute Member
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Colin is a member of 16 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Animal Welfare
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on China
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Japan
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Colin does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Colin has 5 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Economic Development
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Net Zero
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Colin has had 3 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
09 January 2018 - 04 May 2021
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Member
28 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Substitute Member
08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018
Health and Sport Committee
Member
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
No registrable interests
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am a member of the League Against Cruel Sports.
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.
I am Chairperson of the Eastriggs Railway Station Action Group (ERSAG).
I am a member of Unite the Union.
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 GMB Union.
I am member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
I am Chairperson of the Dumfries and Galloway Fairtrade Steering Group.
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: 29 June 2022
Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (Greyhound Racing)
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "It is not just on unlicensed tracks such as Thornton that injuries and deaths of greyhounds take place…
Chamber meeting date: 23 June 2022
In-patient Births (Galloway Community Hospital)
2. Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Dumfries and Galloway regarding the reinstatement of in-patient births at the community maternity unit within the Galloway community hospital. (S6O-01277)"
Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 22 June 2022
Broadband Connectivity
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Cabinet secretary, you talked about the challenges that rural areas face in accessing digital opportunities—connectivity in particular…
Chamber meeting date: 21 June 2022
Avian Influenza
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "The cabinet secretary will be aware that the avian flu outbreak has been particularly devastating for overwintering geese on the Solway and has killed an estimated third of the world’s population of Svalbard barnacle geese…
Chamber meeting date: 16 June 2022
Role of Incineration in Waste Hierarchy
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "I thank the minister for advance sight of her statement. Although Labour welcomes Dr Church’s report and recommendations as far as they go, it should not have taken a review to tell the minister to implement her own manifesto commitments…
Votes
How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament
Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.
Business Programme
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 63 for, 47 against, 0 abstained, 19 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Northern Ireland Protocol Bill
Submitted by: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 85 for, 25 against, 0 abstained, 19 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Business Programme
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Dean Lockhart, Douglas Lumsden, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Graham Simpson, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 47 for, 63 against, 0 abstained, 19 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Supported by: Keith Brown
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 84 for, 0 against, 25 abstained, 20 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Northern Ireland Protocol Bill
Submitted by: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Result 25 for, 85 against, 0 abstained, 19 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Colin Smyth in Parliament
Find out what motions Colin Smyth has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Colin Smyth has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30 June 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the use of anthelmintics through medicated grit to treat wild red grouse, what monitoring is in place for (a) how much is being used and (b) where it is being dispensed."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30 June 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress in implementing the recommendations of the SEPA report, Preliminary environmental assessment of Flubendazole use in Scotland for parasitic worm control in Moorland Grouse, published in November 2020."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30 June 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what research is being carried out into the potential for resistance from use of veterinary medication on wild red grouse."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 26 May 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls for extended opening hours for licensed premises between 2 and 4 June 2022 to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee."
Answered by: Ash Regan on 7 June 2022
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government when Ministers last discussed increasing rail services from Lockerbie railway station with train operators."
Answered by: Jenny Gilruth on 10 March 2022
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 18 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial resources and (b) other support will be provided for the establishment of freeports in Scotland."
Answered by: Ivan McKee on 7 March 2022
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether all Scottish Ministers are of the same view regarding the allocation of government resources for the establishment of freeports in Scotland."
Answered by: Ivan McKee on 4 March 2022
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on data published by NatureScot reportedly stating that the deer population in Scotland now exceeds one million and is increasing."
Answered by: Mairi McAllan on 2 March 2022
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an updated deer management strategy to implement the recommendations in the Deer Working Group report."
Answered by: Mairi McAllan on 25 February 2022
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government when NatureScot will publish a progress report on the implementation of each of the Deer Working Group recommendations that the Scottish Government accepted."
Answered by: Mairi McAllan on 25 February 2022
See all of Colin Smyth's written questions submitted in Parliament