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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Colin Smyth

Scottish Labour

MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day

About Colin Smyth

Contact details

Contact online

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

1 Church Crescent
Dumfries
DG1 1DF

Phone: 01387 279205
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

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 Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

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 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 Older People, Age and Ageing

Deputy Convener

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 has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Colin does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Colin has had 23 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

17 June 2021 - 13 November 2024

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Member

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.

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.

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 26 June 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private

The Convener (Colin Smyth): "Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the 22nd meeting in 2025 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. This morning, we have apologies from Gordon MacDonald and Lorna Slater…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 26 June 2025

Alexander Dennis

The Convener: "Our next item of business is an evidence-taking session with the management of bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private

The Convener (Colin Smyth): "Good morning, and welcome to the 21st meeting in 2025 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take in private item 5, which is consideration of evidence…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

Alexander Dennis

The Convener: "Our next item of business is the first of two evidence sessions on Alexander Dennis. I begin by declaring an interest as I am a member of Unite the Union and the GMB…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

The Convener: "Our second item of business is our final stage 1 evidence session on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. I am pleased to welcome Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance…

Votes

How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament

Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-18081

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Natalie Don-Innes, Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 87 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18075

Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025

Supported by: Tom Arthur, Kate Forbes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 88 for, 1 against, 27 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18080

Product Regulation and Metrology Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 80 for, 0 against, 34 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18076

Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation

Submitted by: Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025

Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Result 86 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-18133

Suspension of Standing Orders

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Result 82 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motions

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.

Question ref. S6W-38760

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent media coverage of a video showing discarded fish on the Scottish seabed, what due diligence it carries out regarding any fines or convictions for illegal discard prior to it providing any funding to any fishing companies or vessels."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 3 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-38740

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what compliance monitoring by NatureScot in relation to grouse shooting licences (a) took place during the 2024 and (b) is planned for the 2025 shooting season."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-39121

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 2 July 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that patients in towns such as Gretna, Langholm, and Canonbie are not excluded from accessing contingency care staffing systems, such as Staffscanner, due to geographic location, and what steps are being taken to address any resulting disparity in care provision in border…

Answer expected on 30 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-39097

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 1 July 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38278 by Neil Gray on 10 June 2025, what support, in the form of guidance and process delivery, it is providing to clinicians to prioritise any urgent non-cancer colonoscopy requests."

Answer expected on 29 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-38761

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-30076, S6W-30077 and S6W-30078 by Mairi Gougeon on 7 October 2024, whether it can provide an update on its consideration of the issues regarding any funding that it provided to TN Trawlers or associated companies over the periods of time covered in the BBC’s reporting."

Answer expected on 21 July 2025

Question ref. S6W-38435

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how many species-specific licences, issued by NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland currently holds; for which species, and for what purposes."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38437

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether Forestry and Land Scotland has allowed external organisations to work under its own species-specific killing, disturbance or shelter destruction licences when carrying out forestry operations on the national forest estate; if so, how often, and which species are involved in any instances of such a licence…

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38438

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government which external organisations or type of organisations have undertaken operations under any Forestry and Land Scotland species-specific licence."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-38436

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether any species licences issued to Forestry and Land Scotland by NatureScot can be transferred to third parties without the prior approval of NatureScot, and whether any such formal consent is in place at present for third party use."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6O-04811

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11 June 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that nearly 40% of adults in Dumfries and Galloway are not registered with an NHS dentist."

Taken in the Chamber on 18 June 2025

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