Skip to main content
Loading…

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

Richard Leonard

Scottish Labour

MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day

About Richard Leonard

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6465
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Richard is a member of 1 committee

Cross-party groups

Richard is a member of 4 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Industrial Communities

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nuclear Disarmament

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on WASPI

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Richard has 2 parliamentary and government roles

Conveners Group

Member

Scottish Commission For Public Audit

Member

Party Roles

Richard does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Richard has had 8 previous roles

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

05 December 2024 - 30 September 2025

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 23 June 2021

Public Audit Committee

Member

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Economy

Scottish Labour

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Jobs and Fair Work

Scottish Labour

18 November 2017 - 14 January 2021

Party Leader

Scottish Labour

28 June 2016 - 09 January 2018

Social Security Committee

Substitute Member

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Economy

Scottish Labour

08 June 2016 - 23 November 2017

Economy Jobs and Fair Work Committee

Member

Register of interests

Richard'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 Richard Leonard 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.

NHS Agenda for Change Staff (Working Week)

Chamber meeting date: 4 March 2026

6. Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "I remind the chamber of my voluntary entry of trade union interests."

NHS Agenda for Change Staff (Working Week)

Chamber meeting date: 4 March 2026

6. Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "I remind the chamber of my voluntary entry of trade union interests."

NHS Agenda for Change Staff (Working Week)

Chamber meeting date: 4 March 2026

6. Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "I remind the chamber of my voluntary entry of trade union interests."

NHS Agenda for Change Staff (Working Week)

Chamber meeting date: 4 March 2026

6. Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "I remind the chamber of my voluntary entry of trade union interests."

NHS Agenda for Change Staff (Working Week)

Chamber meeting date: 4 March 2026

6. Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "I remind the chamber of my voluntary entry of trade union interests."

Votes

How Richard Leonard has voted in Parliament

Find out how Richard Leonard has voted recently.

Business Programme

Motion ref. S6M-21035.1

Submitted by: Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Supported by: Miles Briggs, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Result 31 for, 89 against, 1 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Business Programme

Motion ref. S6M-21077

Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Result 101 for, 19 against, 3 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 46 Amendment 168

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Result 68 for, 51 against, 4 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 46 Amendment 165

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Result 102 for, 19 against, 3 abstained, 5 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 46 Amendment 164

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Result 67 for, 53 against, 3 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Richard Leonard has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S6W-44266

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish an enforcement powers working group for the (a) passenger ferry, (c) bus and tram and (c) taxi sector, similar to the rail enforcement powers working group that was established in 2025."

Question reference: S6W-44263

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government for what purpose Scottish Forestry has awarded grants to Jahama Highland Estates, which is part of the GFG Alliance group."

Question reference: S6W-44262

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the grants that Scottish Forestry has awarded to Jahama Highland Estates, which is part of the GFG Alliance group."

Question reference: S6W-44264

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and audit checks and (b) other risk assessments Scottish Forestry carries out of applicants for forestry grants."

Question reference: S6W-44382

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the names of candidate operators expressing interest in the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract before the invitation to tender is published in the fourth quarter of 2026."

Question reference: S6W-44385

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to the Prior Information Notice published on 4 March 2026, whether it plans to exercise powers under Regulation 29(8) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 to set a time limit on the receipt of tenders for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract."

Question reference: S6W-44383

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prepare a public sector bid for the the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract, which is due to start on 1 July 2028, in line with Regulation 29 (Restricted Procedure) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015."

Question reference: S6W-44384

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost to the public purse of delivering the full tender process for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract, and whether it anticipates to make savings through the use of the Restricted Procedure under Regulation 29 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015."

Question reference: S6W-44261

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of the rail enforcement powers working group that it explores the introduction of new primary legislation to create greater legal protections for rail workers, including what discussions have taken place between its Transport and Justice departments…

Question reference: S6O-05643

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will reinstate the bust of Michael "Mick" McGahey previously displayed in the Garden Lobby."