Graham Simpson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day
About Graham Simpson
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6983
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
Room 35-36, Airdrie Business Centre
1 Chapel Lane
Airdrie
ML6 6GX
Committees
Graham is a member of 2 committees
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Substitute Member
Public Audit Committee
Member
Cross-party groups
Graham is a member of 12 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Aviation
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Construction
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Credit Unions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Germany
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on International Development
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Life Sciences
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Maritime and Shipbuilding
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sustainable Transport
Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Graham does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Graham has 3 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Net Zero
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Graham has had 22 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
08 September 2021 - 29 June 2023
Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee
Substitute Member
22 September 2022 - 29 June 2023
Economy and Fair Work Committee
Member
17 June 2021 - 22 September 2022
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Connectivity
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
27 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Deputy Convener
16 December 2020 - 04 May 2021
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Member
20 August 2020 - 27 August 2020
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 20 August 2020
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Social Security Committee
Member
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Convener
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
Conveners Group
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
03 September 2019 - 18 February 2020
Party Spokesperson on Planning
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 03 September 2019
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 June 2017 - 05 September 2017
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Register of interests
Graham'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 Graham Simpson. The date of their initial statement was 14 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
On 3 June 2023 I accepted a hospitality ticket to watch the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Stadium from the transport provider First Group (of 8th Floor, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road London W2 1AF). The value of the package was £500. [Registered 5 June 2023]
Overseas visits
From 4 July to 8 July 2022 I visited Munich and Berlin, Germany, as part of a cross-Party delegation from the Scottish Parliament, meeting Parliamentarians, public officials and business representatives, as a guest of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The costs of the visit, including travel, accommodation, meals and translation services amounted to £1460 and were paid by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (a political research foundation of Munich, Germany). [Registered 1 August 2022]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
No registrable interests
Recent Activity
What was said
What Graham Simpson 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: 30 November 2023
Buses (Actions to Increase Use)
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "The minister is perhaps missing an opportunity here, because we could have a Scottish bus fare cap if she chose to consider it. Is the minister prepared at least to look at the proposal and what it might cost?"
Chamber meeting date: 29 November 2023
Mental Health Services (Winter)
5. Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what services people experiencing poor mental health can access this winter. (S6O-02810)"
Chamber meeting date: 28 November 2023
Heat in Buildings
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "If we force people who live in tenements to pay potentially ruinous amounts of money, it could be a breach of their human rights…
Chamber meeting date: 28 November 2023
Female Participation in Sport and Physical Activity
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "Clare Haughey said that she thinks that some active travel infrastructure is not suitable for women. Can she explain that a bit more?"
Public Audit Committee meeting date: 23 November 2023
Section 23 Report: “Adult mental health”
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "I want to go back to Tracey McKigen’s answer to the previous question…
Votes
How Graham Simpson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Graham Simpson has voted recently.
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 30, 2023
Result 82 for, 32 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 23, 2023
Result 19 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Business Programme
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, 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, November 22, 2023
Result 52 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Result 87 for, 3 against, 25 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Emma Roddick, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Result 63 for, 51 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Graham Simpson in Parliament
Find out what motions Graham Simpson has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Graham Simpson has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken to understand any impact of future private technology mobility solutions on the viability of local authority bus franchise arrangements, and whether any legislative safeguards are required."
Answer expected on 15 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what transport demand management systems it is considering for national roll-out."
Answer expected on 15 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what expressions of interest there have been from local authorities or transport authorities to utilise bus franchising powers under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019."
Answer expected on 15 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to explore the potential for a national roll-out of a fully digitised real-time ride-share scheme."
Answer expected on 15 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with (a) Energy Systems Catapult and (b) the UK Government regarding the potential implications for Scotland of the recommendations of the Electricity Networks Commissioner’s report on accelerating electricity transmission network deployment, and whether it will publish the minutes of…
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22676 by Neil Gray on 31 August 2023, which exact subsidy control rules were preventing the requested investment in Ferguson Marine."
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding setting per capita carbon budgets."
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been undertaken to understand the potential impacts in Scotland of delivering the recommendations on the development of other technologies such as energy storage and private wire, as set out in the Electricity Networks Commissioner’s report on accelerating electricity transmission network…
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what planning policy is in development in Scotland in support of the recommendations of the Electricity Networks Commissioner’s report on accelerating electricity transmission network deployment."
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with local authorities regarding the potential impact on planning policy in Scotland of the recommendations of the Electricity Networks Commissioner’s report on accelerating electricity transmission network deployment."
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
See all of Graham Simpson's questions submitted in Parliament