Margo MacDonald: If I may presume on my friendship with Christine Grahame and hope that we will still be pals afterwards, I suggested some time ago that we should reconsider the idea of introducing a law against making too big a profit. Has the Justice Committee—or anyone else—considered that idea?
Margo MacDonald: I first met the man when I was just a young cub reporter and I was doing an interview with him—I do not have the faintest idea what it was about, but I remember thinking, “There’s a good guy. Too bad there are strikes against him: he’s a Tory and he’s a Jambo.” [Laughter.] I later had reason to change my mind about him. Just before we came here, we were both at a yee-haw concert...
Margo MacDonald: Will the member give way?
Margo MacDonald: Will the member give way?
Margo MacDonald: Six minutes! Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Where will I start? First, let me put a few people right on a few things. Johann Lamont should remember that it was not because Labour got gubbed and had to find a way of coming back to some prominence and some usefulness in Scotland that we started with devolution. Some of us have wanted devolution and then transfer of power to Scotland for...
Margo MacDonald: Oh yes—I was just noticing the time, Presiding Officer. I ask the Government to take on board what I have said about the breadth of the white paper.
Margo MacDonald: I pick up where Patrick Harvie left off. If we are serious about this being an advanced legislature and our body of law being better than we have had, we must consider what improvements we would make—certainly from prisoners’ point of view—were we to resist banning prisoners from voting. This situation may be the result of a peculiar shyness on the part of members. Most members in here...
Margo MacDonald: Before Ms Goldie speaks, I would like to apologise to the Presiding Officer, Mr Kelly and the chamber—I forgot to turn off my phone.
Margo MacDonald: Surely the ECHR position is not about the particular vote but about the principle of voting, which means that if we can vote in one way to elect a member, we can vote in another way.
Margo MacDonald: 7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that recent actions by Police Scotland reflect a change in emphasis in local policing. (S4O-02288)
Margo MacDonald: I noted the cabinet secretary’s replies to Richard Lyle on the importance of local licensing. I want an assurance from him, if that is possible, that emphasis will be placed on continuing what was considered to be a successful policy in managing prostitution in the Lothian and Borders and Grampian regions, in comparison with the relative failure of zero tolerance in Strathclyde.
Margo MacDonald: I feel as though I have wandered into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. “I am Margo and I’ve got Parkinson’s.” Excuse me if I do not shake all over the place, because it just so happens that that is under control, so I should be able to comment on one or two things. I have never tried to make myself an example to people who have Parkinson’s, because everybody who has Parkinson’s...
Margo MacDonald: On the subject of care and carers, I would probably not get my tea tonight if I did not say what a wonderful carer I have at home. It is a serious point. The three nurses in Lothian are worked off their feet. They are very good nurses and there is a good communication system, but there will never be enough—that is the point that I was trying to make. I would like training in caring to be...
Margo MacDonald: Is it within protocol for the minister to tell us where Parkinson’s comes in the pecking order as regards the campaign for funds internally in the department?
Margo MacDonald: I apologise for intervening again, Presiding Officer, but it might be an important point. One of the things that carers could do to help generally with the wellbeing of the person for whom they are caring is give simple massage. That is the sort of thing that could be taught to a carer in the home. It would cut back expenses and make life a lot more pleasant, and I would like it, please.
Margo MacDonald: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise for bringing up such a minor matter, but is “mojo” an example of parliamentary language?
Margo MacDonald: 4. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use the criminal justice system to establish whether people have been transported illegally through Scottish airports and discourage it from happening again. (S4O-02198)
Margo MacDonald: I thank the Lord Advocate for his full reply. It is a better quality of reply than we have had on the issue up until now. However, as he is aware of the recent research, he will realise that allegations persist that such flights came through Scotland. I ask him to not dilly-dally and wait for someone to tell him that there should be an inquiry, because the evidence is there in front of his...
Margo MacDonald: —that it comes down to political will. Fundamentally, that is what is lacking from the Executive. The Government, as the Executive, must stand up for the values to which the people of Scotland adhere and maintain the laws that we have held dear for centuries. I appreciate that that is not in the Lord Advocate’s domain, but perhaps he could tell the minister that that is what we all believe.
Margo MacDonald: Will the member give way?