Willie Rennie
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for North East Fife (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Former MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region) 2011 - 2016
About Willie Rennie
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5804
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
Unit G3
Granary Business Centre
Coal Road
Cupar
KY15 5YQ
Phone: 01334 656361
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Willie is a member of 1 committee
Cross-party groups
Willie is a member of 1 cross-party group
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Pakistan
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Willie does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Willie has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Party Spokesperson on Economy
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Party Spokesperson on Education
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles
Willie has had 11 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on Finance
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on the Constitution
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on Europe and External Relations
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 May 2021 - 19 July 2021
Party Leader
Scottish Liberal Democrats
15 November 2017 - 04 May 2021
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
08 November 2016 - 25 September 2019
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Substitute Member
08 November 2016 - 18 September 2019
Health and Sport Committee
Substitute Member
11 May 2016 - 17 May 2016
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
29 October 2014 - 23 March 2016
Devolution Further Powers Committee
Substitute Member
01 November 2012 - 29 October 2014
Referendum Scotland Bill Committee
Substitute Member
09 June 2011 - 01 May 2012
Scotland Bill Committee
Member
Register of interests
Willie'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 Willie Rennie. The date of their initial statement was 14 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
From 16 September 2013 to July 2015 I was in receipt of a donation of £18,000 per annum from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd (an organisation which funds political campaigns in the United Kingdom to promote democratic reform, civil liberties and social justice, of The Garden House, Water End, York, YO30 6WQ) for the services of a part-time researcher who worked in my office.
Overseas visits
From 25 to 28 November 2010 I visited Macedonia with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of £1,300 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 24 to 28 May 2008 I visited Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel (LDFI) (of PO Box 57769, London, NW11 1GF). Air travel, some ground travel within Israel and the West Bank and some hospitality, to a total estimated value of £1,200 was paid for by LDFI (which supports and promotes policies which lead to peace and security for Israel in the context of a comprehensive and lasting Middle East peace settlement). Accommodation costs of approximately £500 were paid for by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (of 9 Yitzhak Rabin Blvd, Kiryat Ben-Gurion, Jerusalem 91035). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 16 to 20 December 2010 I visited Sri Lanka with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of £1,700 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 19 to 23 February 2011 I visited Kurdistan with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of approximately £1,500 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 25 February to 1 March 2007 I visited Washington DC to discuss the issues of UK/US defence trade, especially technology transfer issues, and UK/US defence policy. All travel and accommodation (approximately £2,500) was paid for by the UK Defence Forum (a non-partisan and not-for-profit organisation, of Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3PF, which informs the defence, security and peace debate by enabling politicians, diplomats, senior members of the armed forces, public servants, defence professionals, academics and others to exchange information and views on the future challenges of Britain's defence). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 4 to 6 February 2011 I visited Montenegro with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of approximately £1,300 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
On 17 September 2021 I received an overnight stay and a meal from the Marine and Lawn Rusacks Hotel (of Pilmour Links, St Andrews, KY 169JQ). This was to mark the refurbishment of the hotel. The value of this was approximately £400 and I do not consider that this meets the prejudice test. [Registered 23 September 2021]
I am a Patron of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline.
I am a Trustee of the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. I receive no remuneration for this role.
I am Director of the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO).
From September 2011 to July 2012 I received research and administrative support from a Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) intern. The nominal cost to CARE of providing this intern fell below the threshold for registration.
I am a Patron of the International Fire and Rescue Association.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Willie Rennie 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: 26 January 2022
Summary Courts (Modernisation)
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "If the reform is implemented, there will be consequences for legal aid, and that is just one of the areas under question with legal aid…
Chamber meeting date: 26 January 2022
Covid-19 Support (Bed and Breakfasts and Guest Houses)
Willie Rennie: "The trouble with the minister’s answer is that bed and breakfast and guest house operators in England have received support…
Chamber meeting date: 26 January 2022
Point of Order
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "I wish to raise a point of order under rule 7.2.1 of standing orders. Integrity is important, which is why I am standing here today. I was criticised by the First Minister in her statement to Parliament yesterday, but was unable to respond…
Chamber meeting date: 20 January 2022
Fuel Poverty
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "Only a tiny fraction of all the homes in North East Fife—fewer than 1,000 out of 40,000—have access to the Scottish Government’s home insulation financial support packages…
Chamber meeting date: 20 January 2022
Independence Referendum (Staffing Resources)
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "Just because the Tories have got it wrong does not mean that the SNP has to get it wrong, too. I cannot believe my ears…
Votes
How Willie Rennie has voted in Parliament
Find out how Willie Rennie has voted recently.
Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Humza Yousaf, Glasgow Pollok, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Thursday, January 20, 2022
Supported by: Kevin Stewart, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Result 120 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Result 49 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 13 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Result 49 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 13 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 87 for, 33 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Education Failures and Guaranteeing the 2022 Exam Diet
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Supported by: Clare Haughey, Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Result 67 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Willie Rennie in Parliament
Find out what motions Willie Rennie has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Willie Rennie 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: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 5 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S6M-02625 (A New Deal for Tenants), how it plans to increase its ambitions for the building of more homes for social rent, and on what date any increased ambition will be announced."
Answered by: Shona Robison on 25 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what user, personal and medical information is currently provided and displayed on the NHS Scotland Covid Status app, and whether that information is explicitly outlined in the user privacy policy agreement."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what issues it has experienced matching the functionality of the NHS Scotland Covid Status app with international and EU travel guidelines and restrictions."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported ongoing alterations to the functionality of the NHS Scotland Covid Status app, whether users are (a) notified and (b) required to consent when there is an update to the (i) privacy policy agreement and (ii) personal information that is provided and displayed by the app."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what data protection guidelines are currently in place for the NHS Scotland Covid Status app, and from what legislation any guidelines are derived."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether information on the number of air filters that are being used in school classrooms has been collected for use by the Education Recovery Group."
Answered by: Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether a running total of the number of air filter devices that are being used in school classrooms will be published."
Answered by: Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 January 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 21 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that college and university students in Scotland are provided with access to a range of psychological therapies."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 20 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it received on drafts of the recently published child protection guidelines; who provided this feedback, and what action was taken on any feedback or proposed changes."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 20 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what issues have been raised with it regarding child protection policies, processes and procedures in the last 12 months, and what action was taken in relation to each issue raised."
Awaiting answer
See all of Willie Rennie's written questions submitted in Parliament