John Finnie MSP

Highlands and Islands

Justice, Transport & Tourism, Rural & Island Communities

John is a former police officer and has been a Highlands and Islands MSP since 2011. He is a member of Holyrood's Justice and Rural Economy committees. He successfully campaigned against deploying armed police to routine incidents, work for which he was awarded “Community Politician of the Year 2014”. He has campaigned against cuts to local education and medical services, police control rooms and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux and for public ownership of Calmac Ferries and the railways. He has also pushed for ethical investment of public funds and against ship to ship oil transfers of oil in the Moray Firth.

Urgent action required to tackle drugs emergency say Greens

Tue 16 Jul, 2019

Both the Scottish and UK Governments must take urgent action to tackle Scotland’s drugs death emergency following new figures [1], which revealed there were 1,187 drug deaths in 2018 according to Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie.

The figures represent a 27% increase of the 2017, which were themselves record setting, and mean Scotland continues to have the highest rate of drugs deaths in Europe.

John Finnie MSP said:

Scotland's drug deaths are a national emergency

John Finnie MSP Tue 16 Jul, 2019

It is shocking to see Scotland with the one of the worst drug death rates in the world.

From tackling heroin and the AIDS threat in the 1990s to minimum unit pricing on alcohol, Scotland has a track record in harm reduction, which prioritises the health and safety of our people over moral judgement.

It's needed now more than ever.

We have seen London take an interest in Scotland’s approach to knife crime. Hopefully now the UK Government will take notice of progressive thinking on drugs policy, but I have my doubts.

Finnie hails better buses win

Wed 12 Jun, 2019

The Scottish Parliament has voted to allow local councils to run their own bus services, a move that will transform public transport provision across the country according to the Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

Local authorities had previously been forbidden from running most routes thanks to Thatcher era legislation.

John Finnie MSP said:

Greens slam government for backing arms companies

Wed 5 Jun, 2019

Scottish Greens Rural Communities Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has slammed the Scottish Government after it failed to back proposals to prohibit the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency from funding munitions.

The SNP, Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems today voted against a Green amendment to prohibit the new agency investing in munitions.

Green MSPs have repeatedly raised concerns about Scotland’s enterprise agencies funding the arms industry, with grants to operators such as multinational Raytheon, who supply weapons used by Saudi Arabia on its war in Yemen.

Transport Bill: Greens call for locally controlled bus services

Wed 5 Jun, 2019

Allowing local authorities to run bus services could transform public transport provision across the country according to the Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

The Scottish Parliament’s Connectivity Committee will begin debating stage two amendments to the Bill today (5 Jun) and Mr Finnie will move his proposal to empower councils to run services in their own areas.

Tory, Labour and Lib Dem MSPs hypocrites on workplace parking

Wed 29 May, 2019

Tory, Labour and Lib Dem MSPs have been labelled as hypocrites by Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP after a cross party report came to light suggesting all these parties had given their support to the introduction of workplace parking levies.

Finnie to lead Equal Protection debate

Tue 28 May, 2019

Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie will this afternoon (28 May) lead a Scottish Parliament debate on his Member’s Bill.

Mr Finnie will invite MSPs to agree to the general principles of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill following the stage one debate. If passed the bill would prohibit the physical punishment of children.

John Finnie MSP said:

Finnie welcomes Equal Protection support

Thu 16 May, 2019

Green MSP John Finnie has today (16 May) welcomed the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee Stage One report into his Member’s Bill, the Children (Equal Protection from Assault)(Scotland) Bill.

The Committee took evidence from a variety of witnesses, including academics, children and parenting organisations, police officers, social workers, religious organisations, health experts, with a majority of the witnesses at the committee supporting the proposals.

Climate: Greens urge support for workplace parking levy

Wed 8 May, 2019

Scottish Greens have called on other parties to end their opposition to a progressive workplace parking levy after the SNP ditched its plans to cut air passenger duty following declaration of a climate emergency.

Finnie: Chief Constable may end in court

Tue 30 Apr, 2019

Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson and former Scottish Police Federation official John Finnie MSP this afternoon (30 Apr) warned the Cabinet Secretary for Justice that the Chief Constable of Police Scotland could end up in court unless urgent action is taken to improve the state of its police stations.

Mr Finnie raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament in the wake of comments from the Scottish Police Federation that much of the police estate is, “unfit for human habitation”.

Commenting afterwards John Finnie MSP said: