← Back to House of Commons Debates
St Andrew’s Day and Scottish Affairs 2025-12-11
11 December 2025
Lead MP
Graeme Downie
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Graeme Downie raised concerns about st andrew’s day and scottish affairs 2025-12-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member for Dunfermline and Dollar began by noting the importance of St Andrew’s Day, celebrating Scotland's connection to its patron saint and the qualities that define Scottish society: a generous spirit, quiet strength, and belief in community change through work and learning. He outlined his speech in three parts covering Scotland's history, current state, and future opportunities, emphasising education, infrastructure development, and economic regeneration. He highlighted the historical context of St Andrews and Dunfermline, reflecting on figures like Andrew Carnegie and their contributions to Scottish society.
Edinburgh West
The hon. Member for Edinburgh West raised concerns about the simplification of Scotland’s history in national discourse, focusing on key figures like William Wallace and Robert Bruce instead of other significant contributions to British and world history, such as engineering achievements.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
The hon. Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green stepped in to emphasise the importance of Scotland’s universities in providing a world-class education, referencing personal connections to Scottish educational institutions through her constituents who travel from London to study there.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Mundell pays tribute to three former colleagues before focusing on the current challenges facing Scotland under SNP governance. He criticises the SNP-led council's proposed £68 million flood prevention scheme in Dumfries as a waste of money when basic services are struggling, urging councillors to reject it. Mundell argues that education standards and healthcare services have deteriorated under SNP rule, pointing out high NHS waiting times and emergency department strain.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Arthur briefly comments on the Dumfries flood prevention scheme, suggesting earlier implementation could have been more cost-effective. He supports Mundell's critique of delayed project progress due to lack of public support.
Jardine agrees with Mundell that change is needed for Scotland and acknowledges the importance of addressing current problems before the next election.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Doogan challenges Mundell's statistics, pointing out falling waiting lists in Scotland over the past five months and the superior performance of Scottish emergency departments compared to England and Wales. He criticises Mundell for comparing Scotland with other places rather than focusing on SNP Government promises.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Baxter supports Mundell's critique of NHS waiting times, highlighting the number of people waiting more than two years in individual health boards compared to the whole of England.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Raises concerns about the impact of Brexit on recruitment difficulties within Scotland's healthcare system, suggesting that there is a need for a bespoke visa system in Scotland to address staffing shortages.
Highlights issues with mental health care and waiting times for psychiatric services. Emphasises the urgent need for an examination of healthcare deficiencies within Scotland, attributing responsibility primarily to workforce planning failures by the Scottish Government.
Glasgow West
Discusses the work of the Scottish Affairs Committee and its various inquiries on topics like space launches in Shetland and drug consumption facilities in Glasgow. Mentions challenges with connectivity issues in remote communities but focuses primarily on celebrating St Andrew's Day and discussing Scotland’s national flag and patron saint.
Glasgow North East
Ferguson condemned comments made by Reform UK regarding multilingualism, praising teachers for supporting bilingual families. She highlighted Glasgow's history of welcoming refugees and emphasised the importance of preventing flags from being used to intimidate or exclude people.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Glasgow North
Doogan supported Ferguson's stance on the misuse of flags, stressing the need for all political sides to uphold values that make Scotland welcoming and inclusive.
North East Fife
Chamberlain discussed St Andrews' historical significance, including its ecclesiastical past and cultural events. She highlighted the economic impact of golf on St Andrews and North East Fife, mentioning challenges such as rural transport issues and the need for funding to maintain infrastructure.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Crichton acknowledged the importance of discussing Scottish affairs on St Andrew's Day, emphasising the value of taking stock of issues and challenges facing Scotland while keeping contributions brief.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Glasgow Central
Asked Torcuil Crichton to give way on his point about health and education. Highlighted that Scottish schoolchildren speak multiple languages, which is celebrated in Glasgow. Mentioned the 95,000 children lifted out of poverty by the Chancellor's budget.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Discussed the historical significance of St Andrew's day and proposed a change from the dirge-like 'Flower of Scotland' to a more uplifting national anthem. Criticised Labour Government for not tending to the fabric of the Union, advocating for a stronger relationship between Westminster and Holyrood.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Acknowledged her birthday contribution in the debate on St Andrew's day. Discussed Carlisle's history as a border city contested by England and Scotland for centuries, emphasising its strategic importance and its resilience against sieges.
Minns
Con
Carlisle
Celebrates the shared history between Carlisle and Scotland, highlighting cultural ties such as the Loch Lomond ballad written in Carlisle. Mentions historical events like Bonnie Prince Charlie's presence in Carlisle and Mary, Queen of Scots' time there. Emphasises the importance of cross-border economic links through infrastructure projects like the A74 and west coast main line. Advocates for reduced friction between UK and Scottish Governments on matters such as health and agriculture to promote unity and investment in cross-border cooperation.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Acknowledges the historical complexity of migration, emphasising Scotland's rich tapestry of diverse cultures. Reflects on the contributions of predecessors like Winston Churchill and E.D. Morel to political discourse. Critiques current immigration policies for hindering the international appeal of Scottish higher education and energy sectors. Highlights Norway’s success with a future generations fund and contrasts it with Westminster’s handling of oil revenues, criticising austerity measures and Brexit.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Arthur emphasises the diversity of his constituency in Edinburgh South West, including its natural landscape, cultural heritage, influential inventions, and literary history. He highlights initiatives like the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, Holy Trinity church, and community food projects that embody St Andrew’s values.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Baxter discusses Scotland's values of community, fairness, and responsibility, reflecting on the achievements of previous Labour Governments. She criticises the SNP Government in Holyrood for focusing too much on referendums rather than delivering essential services like healthcare.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab/Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
Sullivan commends her constituency's industrial heritage, including the Kinneil estate where James Watt tested his prototype steam engine. She also highlights Sir James Young Simpson’s discovery of anaesthetic which has saved millions of lives worldwide.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Welcomed the debate leader's speech about Dunfermline, highlighting community faith organisations like St Luke’s Scottish Episcopal church with initiatives such as Luke’s Larder. Recognised the H100 Fife project for bringing 100% green hydrogen to domestic customers and expressed disappointment in the current Scottish Government's lack of ambition.
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
Acknowledged Scotland's rich history and its contributions, including Roman soldiers along the Antonine Wall, Thomas Muir advocating for democratic rights, and industry transformations. Criticised recent government mismanagement of finances and healthcare projects, highlighting issues like soaring household bills and long GP wait times. Called for a health service that is truly there when needed with fair pay for professionals.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Scotland has had 18 wasted years under SNP, with lagging economy, high social security spending forecast to hit £9 billion by 2030, broken promises on infrastructure projects like A9 dual carriageway and council tax scrapping. Labour and Conservative support for SNP is regrettable.
Responds to Andrew Bowie's remarks, pointing out Edwin Morgan's donation to the SNP despite his poem critique, questioning whether Conservatives should have propped up the SNP government.
Questions Andrew Bowie about regretting past support for SNP, noting that stability was prioritised in 2007 but would not be repeated given current context.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Acknowledged Scotland's qualification for the World Cup and its hosting of the Commonwealth games next summer. Emphasised the importance of working men’s clubs, institutes and miners’ welfare in Scottish communities.
Andrew Bowie
Con
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Agreed with Kirsty McNeill that Scotland has been troubled by division but suggested differing remedies. Criticised the current Scottish Government's announcements over achievements.
Susan Murray
SNP
Mid Dunbartonshire
Discussed the ferry fiasco impacting islanders negatively and criticised the Scottish Government for being more interested in announcements than achievements.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Suggested that the UK Government sends money to Scotland without sufficient concern about its proper use, questioning transparency on £11 billion sent so far.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Asked for a comment on the government's commitment to devolution and criticised SNP's response to NHS issues in Scotland.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Gave a moving tribute to community groups in his constituency, highlighting the need for devolved powers within communities.
Government Response
Government Response
Committed £14.5 million to Grangemouth’s transition to a hub for low-carbon technologies, announced funding for the regeneration of Kirkcaldy’s town centre and seafront, provided financial support for the Forth Green freeport, and pledged to invest over £2 billion in local and regional growth programmes in Scotland. The government has also focused on workers’ rights, job security at shipyards, and child poverty alleviation.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.