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
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
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
Public Audit Committee
Substitute Member
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Colin is a member of 17 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
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 Future of Football in Scotland
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 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 does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Colin does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Colin has had 22 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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 a member of the League Against Cruel Sports.
I am Chairperson of the Eastriggs Railway Station Action Group (ERSAG).
I am member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
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.
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 a member of GMB Union.
I am Chairperson of the Dumfries and Galloway Fairtrade Steering Group.
I am a member of Unite the 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: 2 May 2024
Care Homes (South Lanarkshire)
6. Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent the closure of care homes in South Lanarkshire. (S6O-03385)"
Chamber meeting date: 24 April 2024
Festivals (Dumfries and Galloway)
4. Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support festivals in Dumfries and Galloway. (S6O-03327)"
Chamber meeting date: 18 April 2024
Older People (Representation)
7. Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to give greater representation to older people. (S6O-03314)"
Chamber meeting date: 18 April 2024
Climate Change Committee Scotland Report
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Does the cabinet secretary understand that she can add yet more plans and strategies to the 82 that we have already had, but it is the Government’s actions that have led to today’s humiliating—not minor—ditching of targets…
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee meeting date: 17 April 2024
Redress Scheme (Fornethy House Residential School) (PE1933)
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Thank you, convener, for the opportunity to address the committee, and I also thank the committee for its very robust and thorough approach to this important petition…
Votes
How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament
Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.
WASPI: Women Against State Pension Inequality
Submitted by: Humza Yousaf, Glasgow Pollok, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Supported by: Paul McLennan, Emma Roddick, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 75 for, 0 against, 52 abstained, 2 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
WASPI: Women Against State Pension Inequality
Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 21 for, 95 against, 11 abstained, 2 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
WASPI: Women Against State Pension Inequality
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 31 for, 74 against, 21 abstained, 3 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Defeated
Motion of No Confidence
Submitted by: Anas Sarwar, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Friday, April 26, 2024
Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Claire Baker, Jeremy Balfour, Neil Bibby, Sarah Boyack, Alexander Burnett, Foysol Choudhury, Katy Clark, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Tim Eagle, Rhoda Grant, Mark Griffin, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Rachael Hamilton, Daniel Johnson, Monica Lennon, Richard Leonard, Douglas Lumsden, Michael Marra, Liam McArthur, Pauline McNeill, Carol Mochan, Edward Mountain, Paul O'Kane, Willie Rennie, Alex Rowley, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, Annie Wells, Tess White, Martin Whitfield, Beatrice Wishart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Result 58 for, 70 against, 0 abstained, 1 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Monday, April 29, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Result 123 for, 1 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Colin Smyth in Parliament
Find out what motions Colin Smyth has submitted recently.
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.
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent the closure of care homes in South Lanarkshire."
Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding Port of Cairnryan Ltd’s submission of company accounts for the year to 31 December 2022."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support festivals in Dumfries and Galloway."
Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 2 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government in what month it will publish (a) its annual report in relation to the incentivisation of selective fishing gear and low impact techniques and (b) its response to the consultation on additional quota that closed on 11 January 2024."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 11 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the South West Scotland Regional Transport Partnership regarding P&O Ferries’ (a) passenger and (b) freight operations from Cairnryan Port since March 2022."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to give greater representation to older people."
Taken in the Chamber on 18 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Port of Cairnryan, (b) P&O Ferries and (c) Clyde Marine Recruitment regarding the application of the Fair Work Convention to ferry services between Cairnryan and Larne."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can list the (a) full and (b) associate members of the Scottish Maritime Cluster Limited."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 21 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list any payments that it has made to P&O Ferries since 17 March 2022 to date."
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 April 2024
Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to support the reversal of the reported reduction of bus services in Dumfries and Galloway."
Taken in the Chamber on 28 March 2024