Willie Rennie
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for North East Fife (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Former MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region) 2011 - 2016
About Willie Rennie
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5804
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
Unit G3
Granary Business Centre
Coal Road
Cupar
KY15 5YQ
Phone: 01334 656361
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Willie is a member of 1 committee
Cross-party groups
Willie is a member of 1 cross-party group
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Pakistan
Deputy Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Willie does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Willie has 3 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Party Spokesperson on Economy
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Party Spokesperson on Education
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles
Willie has had 11 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on the Constitution
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on Europe and External Relations
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on Finance
Scottish Liberal Democrats
06 May 2021 - 19 July 2021
Party Leader
Scottish Liberal Democrats
15 November 2017 - 04 May 2021
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
08 November 2016 - 25 September 2019
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Substitute Member
08 November 2016 - 18 September 2019
Health and Sport Committee
Substitute Member
11 May 2016 - 17 May 2016
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
29 October 2014 - 23 March 2016
Devolution Further Powers Committee
Substitute Member
01 November 2012 - 29 October 2014
Referendum Scotland Bill Committee
Substitute Member
09 June 2011 - 01 May 2012
Scotland Bill Committee
Member
Register of interests
Willie'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 Willie Rennie. The date of their initial statement was 14 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
From 16 September 2013 to July 2015 I was in receipt of a donation of £18,000 per annum from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd (an organisation which funds political campaigns in the United Kingdom to promote democratic reform, civil liberties and social justice, of The Garden House, Water End, York, YO30 6WQ) for the services of a part-time researcher who worked in my office.
Overseas visits
From 25 to 28 November 2010 I visited Macedonia with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of £1,300 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 16 to 20 December 2010 I visited Sri Lanka with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of £1,700 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 24 to 28 May 2008 I visited Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel (LDFI) (of PO Box 57769, London, NW11 1GF). Air travel, some ground travel within Israel and the West Bank and some hospitality, to a total estimated value of £1,200 was paid for by LDFI (which supports and promotes policies which lead to peace and security for Israel in the context of a comprehensive and lasting Middle East peace settlement). Accommodation costs of approximately £500 were paid for by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (of 9 Yitzhak Rabin Blvd, Kiryat Ben-Gurion, Jerusalem 91035). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 19 to 23 February 2011 I visited Kurdistan with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of approximately £1,500 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 25 February to 1 March 2007 I visited Washington DC to discuss the issues of UK/US defence trade, especially technology transfer issues, and UK/US defence policy. All travel and accommodation (approximately £2,500) was paid for by the UK Defence Forum (a non-partisan and not-for-profit organisation, of Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3PF, which informs the defence, security and peace debate by enabling politicians, diplomats, senior members of the armed forces, public servants, defence professionals, academics and others to exchange information and views on the future challenges of Britain's defence). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
From 4 to 6 February 2011 I visited Montenegro with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (of Artillery House, 11/19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT) to train politicians for democracy enhancement. Accommodation and travel costs of approximately £1,300 were paid for by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (which supports the consolidation of democratic practices and institutions in developing democracies). [Amended interest 23 September 2021, ceased interest 23 September 2021]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
On 17 September 2021 I received an overnight stay and a meal from the Marine and Lawn Rusacks Hotel (of Pilmour Links, St Andrews, KY 169JQ). This was to mark the refurbishment of the hotel. The value of this was approximately £400 and I do not consider that this meets the prejudice test. [Registered 23 September 2021]
I am a Patron of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline.
I am a Trustee of the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. I receive no remuneration for this role.
I am Director of the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO).
From September 2011 to July 2012 I received research and administrative support from a Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) intern. The nominal cost to CARE of providing this intern fell below the threshold for registration.
I am a Patron of the International Fire and Rescue Association.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Willie Rennie 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: 24 May 2022
ScotRail (Revised Timetable)
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "The minister has to accept that this has been an utter failure of industrial relations on the part of the Government…
Chamber meeting date: 24 May 2022
European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "People expect our two Governments to be able to work together, but, to be frank, that relationship has been atrocious for years. The responsibility for that lies with both Governments, and pointing the finger does not help…
Chamber meeting date: 18 May 2022
Human Rights (Incorporation of Treaties)
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "There is frustration about the lack of progress on incorporation of the UNCRC…
Chamber meeting date: 18 May 2022
Scottish Attainment Challenge
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD): "Oliver Mundell was bang on with that latter point. At the very least, you would expect the education secretary, if no other minister, to champion education…
Education, Children and Young People Committee meeting date: 18 May 2022
Cross-border Placements (Effect of Deprivation of Liberty Orders) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 [Draft]
Willie Rennie: "It has been an extremely helpful session…
Votes
How Willie Rennie has voted in Parliament
Find out how Willie Rennie has voted recently.
Keeping Care Close to Home and Improving Outcomes
Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 23, 2022
Supported by: Carol Mochan, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 21 for, 97 against, 3 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Dean Lockhart, Douglas Lumsden, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Graham Simpson, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 53 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 96 for, 24 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP not voted
Vote Passed
Keeping Care Close to Home and Improving Outcomes
Submitted by: Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 23, 2022
Supported by: Maree Todd, Humza Yousaf
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 68 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Keeping Care Close to Home and Improving Outcomes
Submitted by: Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 23, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 33 for, 86 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Willie Rennie in Parliament
Find out what motions Willie Rennie has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Willie Rennie 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: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12 May 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-36131 by Maree Todd on 23 March 2021, what percentage of the 435 equity and excellence leads are in post; how many of the posts are vacant, and on what date all posts were filled, including where the post-holder has since moved on."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12 May 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) grants and (b) loans it has provided to Petroineos during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what the value of any such grants and loans was."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 12 May 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) grants and (b) loans it has provided to Ineos during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what the value of any such grants and loans was."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 6 May 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05329 by Ivan McKee on 27 January 2022, whether the parent company guarantee that was signed with Liberty House in 2016 could be affected by the reported visits to Liberty Steel offices by the Serious Fraud Office as part of its investigation of GFG Alliance."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 30 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) can take and (b) is taking to ensure that the Consul General of China does not have any undue influence over local or national politics in Scotland."
Answered by: Angus Robertson on 27 April 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07058 by Neil Gray on 14 March 2022, whether it will provide further details of the steps that it has taken to ensure that Hong Kong residents coming to the UK through the British National (Overseas) visa scheme are encouraged to resettle in Scotland."
Answered by: Neil Gray on 12 April 2022
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 April 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the level and nature of financial investment from China in universities in Scotland."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 April 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of Scotland’s foreign direct investment in China since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 April 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the current overall level of financial investment from China in Scotland."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Rennie, Willie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 25 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many Confucius Institute branches are active in universities in Scotland."
Awaiting answer
See all of Willie Rennie's written questions submitted in Parliament