Scottish Government’s International Work

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 10 May 2022.

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Photo of Stephen Kerr Stephen Kerr Conservative

It is a pleasure to follow Ruth Maguire’s speech, which I greatly appreciated. The fact that she is a fellow member of the Education, Children and Young People Committee is another reason why I am grateful to follow her.

I am also grateful to be able to respond to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s inquiry report on the Scottish Government’s international work. However, I say straight off the bat that there is a slightly surreal feel to many of the speeches from SNP and Green members. They seem to be living in a parallel reality: they never mention the United Kingdom. They seem to have made some kind of solemn, binding oath that they will not mention it.

I remind members that foreign policy is a reserved matter. Do members understand that? I hope that we do.