Skip to main content

Language: English / Gàidhlig

Loading…

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

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

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

Cross-party groups

Colin is a member of 19 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 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 Older People, Age and Ageing

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 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.

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2024

Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs (Farms)

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "After 14 years of chaos and decline, last month’s UK Government budget started to turn the page on those Tory years. It began to rebuild our broken public finances, jump-started economic growth and ended austerity…

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2024

Rural Roads

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "I thank Douglas Lumsden for lodging his motion and for the opportunity to highlight the chronic neglect of our rural roads infrastructure…

Chamber meeting date: 7 November 2024

Brexit (Impact on Rural Economy)

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "The Labour amendment in my name recognises that the overwhelming vote for change on 4 July heralds an opportunity to reset the United Kingdom’s relationship with our European friends, to recognise the realities of our status outside the EU but grasp the opportunities to be a leading nation in Europe once again, and to move on from 14 years of…

Chamber meeting date: 6 November 2024

Fishing Sector (Science and Data)

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "The cabinet secretary will be aware of the request to undertake a trial reopening of the Solway cockle fishery…

Chamber meeting date: 6 November 2024

Accident and Emergency Waiting Times

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise for getting my timings wrong for portfolio questions on health, and I will write to the Presiding Officer to apologise for missing my question."

Votes

How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament

Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-15423.2

Business Programme

Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 48 for, 70 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-15423.1

Business Programme

Submitted by: Martin Whitfield, South Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Neil Bibby, Katy Clark, Rhoda Grant, Mark Griffin, Daniel Johnson, Michael Marra, Pauline McNeill, Paul O'Kane, Colin Smyth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 51 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-15401

Scotland’s Housing Emergency

Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, November 11, 2024

Supported by: Tess White
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 66 for, 52 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15425

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 61 for, 0 against, 57 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15401.3

Scotland’s Housing Emergency

Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Supported by: Paul McLennan, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 60 for, 57 against, 1 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted against

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-30750

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls for improved regulation of non-healthcare professionals who carry out medical aesthetic treatments, such as Botox and dermal fillers."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30748

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to increase rail services from Carstairs railway station."

Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 November 2024

Question ref. S6O-03889

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 30 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported decision by members of the Integration Joint Board of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership to reject the recommendations of an independent review to re-open the Clenoch Birthing Centre at the Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer for in-hospital births."

Taken in the Chamber on 6 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30862

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported calls from community groups for a pause on processing planning applications for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), in light of reports that there is currently 100GW of energy storage in the National Grid connection "queue" but the Electricity Systems Operator's Future Energy…

Answer expected on 22 November 2024

Question ref. S6O-03866

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 23 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to fully implement the recommendations of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review in relation to the A77."

Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30495

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 8 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what planning guidance it issues in relation to the proximity of large-scale solar farms to housing."

Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30749

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with rail companies whose trains pass through Carstairs railway station but do not stop there about increasing the frequency of rail services from Carstairs."

Answer expected on 14 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30078

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it was aware that workers at companies referred to in the BBC’s recent reporting on slavery in the Scottish fishing sector had been recognised by the Home Office as victims of trafficking when it awarded any funding to those companies."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30076

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what due diligence was carried out prior to it providing any funding to the group of companies referred to in the BBC’s recent reporting on modern slavery in the Scottish fishing sector."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30077

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24 September 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it was aware that there were ongoing police investigations into the companies referred to in the BBC’s recent reporting on slavery in the Scottish fishing sector when it awarded any funding to those companies."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 October 2024

Share this page