Colin Smyth
Scottish Labour
MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day
About Colin Smyth
Contact details
Contact online
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6986
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
17 Buccleuch Street
Dumfries
DG1 2AT
Phone: 01387 279205
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Colin is a member of 2 committees
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Substitute Member
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 China
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Dementia
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Digital Participation
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Disability
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 Future of Football in Scotland
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Heart Disease and Stroke
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Japan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palliative Care
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rural Policy
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Colin does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Colin has 4 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Telecommunications
Scottish Labour
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Labour
Previous roles
Colin has had 2 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018
Health and Sport Committee
Member
25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Health
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 the initial statement was 08 June 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
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. [Amended interest 09 May 2017]
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.
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
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 09 May 2018]
I am Chairperson of the Dumfries and Galloway Fairtrade Steering Group. [Registered 9 November 2017]
I am Chairperson of the Eastriggs Railway Station Action Group (ERSAG). [Registered 9 November 2017]
I am a member of GMB Union.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 3 April 2019]
I am a member of Unite the Union.
I am a member of Parkinson’s UK.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 09 May 2018]
I am member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. [Registered 3 April 2018]
I am a member of the League Against Cruel Sports.
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: 10 December 2020
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Our key transport workers have kept Scotland’s public transport moving. Why has the Scottish Government blocked ScotRail from engaging in pay negotiations with its staff unions for 2020…
Chamber meeting date: 9 December 2020
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "The Welsh Government recently updated its travel regulations to allow travel between Wales and tier 1 or 2 areas of England, reflecting the fact that England is now out of lockdown. Why has the Scottish Government not done likewise…
Chamber meeting date: 9 December 2020
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "One of the consequences of the Parliament not voting on or scrutinising Covid regulations until several weeks after they have been imposed is that the regulations can be out of date when we eventually come to debate the matter…
Chamber meeting date: 9 December 2020
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "I thank Graham Simpson for lodging the motion and allowing Parliament the opportunity to highlight the importance of our bus services and, crucially, the big challenges that they face in the months ahead…
Chamber meeting date: 3 December 2020
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Scotland’s coach operators are facing a cliff edge, with thousands of jobs on the line. Some 80 per cent of their income derives from tourism…
Votes
How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament
Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.
Responding to Parliamentary Will and Calls for Clarity in Education
Submitted by: John Swinney, Perthshire North, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Supported by: Richard Lochhead, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 61 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Economy
Submitted by: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 7, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 94 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Responding to Parliamentary Will and Calls for Clarity in Education
Submitted by: Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 7, 2020
Supported by: Michelle Ballantyne
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 59 for, 4 against, 61 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 95 for, 25 against, 1 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Economy
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Supported by: Kate Forbes, Fiona Hyslop, Ben Macpherson, Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 71 for, 31 against, 22 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
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: 10 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether people providing assistance to someone with sight loss or a disabled person in order for them to be able to (a) exercise outside, such as with walking or tandem cycling, and (b) participate in organised sport are exempt from the COVID-19 rules on social distancing."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 9 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the decision to hold jury trials for Dumfries and Stranraer sheriff courts in Ayr."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, including how this has impacted on the (a) seafarers affected, (b) the onboard crew when the positive tests were returned, (c) the relief crew and (d) passengers."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 9 December 2020
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a delivery plan setting out detailed proposals for the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Cumberlege report, and what its anticipated timescales are for the implementation of these recommendations."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 3 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a timeline for forming a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 3 December 2020
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the levels of access to public transport at the end of their shifts for seafarers with (a) CalMac Ferries, (b) Serco NorthLink and (c) private ferry operators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 3 December 2020
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 27 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government how many bids Transport Scotland received from companies based in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK as part of the Project Torridon procurement process."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 3 December 2020
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will verify the authenticity of all COVID-19 test results to ensure the veracity of any mass testing and screening that is planned as a means of safely opening up the economy."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 2 December 2020
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries to protect (a) public health, (b) seafarer health and safety and (c) the continuity of lifeline services between Oban and Barra."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of so-called health passports, which document infection and vaccination status for COVID-19 as part of its economic recovery strategy and future pandemic contingency planning, and what impact such an approach could have with helping to strengthen the airbridge system."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2020
See all of Colin Smyth's written questions submitted in Parliament