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.

New research shows need for transport transformation

Wed 4 Dec, 2019

New research by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), published today, shows a staggering increase in the cost of public transport in the last 20 years, while the cost of motoring has plummeted by a quarter in the same time period.

The research shows that while the cost of motoring has fallen by 24%, rail fares have increased by 38%, and bus fares have rocketed by 80%. The proportion of distance travelled by bike in the period is unchanged, but that the proportion of journeys made by foot it down.

Greens respond to Calmac legal action

Wed 4 Dec, 2019

Responding to reports that Calmac has raised legal proceedings against the Scottish Government over the awarding of the contract from the Northern Isles Ferry Services, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said:

John Finnie: Scottish Government must seek section 30 order

Wed 20 Nov, 2019

Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie has called on the Scottish Government to seek an order under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998, to allow Ministers to fully incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.

Mr Finnie, who recently steered the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill through parliament, made the call in response to a statement from Education Secretary John Swinney this afternoon.

Although most measures contained within the convention are devolved a number, including military recruitment, are reserved.

Sheku Bayoh Inquiry Must Have Power to Call Witnesses

John Finnie MSP Wed 13 Nov, 2019

The inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh must have the power to summon witnesses, Scottish Green justice spokesperson John Finnie has said.

Responding to a ministerial statement laying out the proposals for a “full and public” inquiry, John Finnie said key people like former Chief Constable Sir Stephen House should be brought in to give evidence.

Responding, John Finnie said: “I welcome this inquiry, and it is vital this inquiry is able to get the full picture from all involved, so that the family impacted by this tragedy can get some answers.

Equal Protection Bill Granted Royal Assent

John Finnie MSP Fri 8 Nov, 2019

John Finnie’s Member’s Bill on giving children in Scotland equal protection from assaults has been granted Royal Assent on November 7th becoming an Act, following last month’s passage by the Scottish Parliament. The Act which was supported by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament means that children in Scotland will soon be given the same legal protection from assault that adults currently enjoy. The Act’s main provision will come into effect on November 6^th 2020.

Government could replace entire ferry fleet

Tue 8 Oct, 2019

The Scottish Government could replace Scotland’s entire public ferry fleet by cancelling the climate busting road building projects according to the Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

The Islands Minister made a statement to parliament this afternoon in relation to the publication of the government's National Islands Plan, which bizarrely included reference to the Scottish Government’s commitment to dual the A9 on page 24.

Scottish Labour MSPs set to betray councillors over new powers

Tue 8 Oct, 2019

Scottish Labour MSPs are set to vote against the wishes of their councillors this week as Holyrood debates the Transport Bill.

The Scottish Green proposal to empower councils to introduce a levy on employers based on parking spaces is set to be voted against by Labour MSPs, despite the fact the idea originated from their party.

The Workplace Parking Levy was introduced by Labour in England and Wales, successfully implemented by a Labour-controlled council in Nottingham and proposed in Labour’s council manifestos for Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Private prisons come at cost to public sector

Tue 8 Oct, 2019

The Scottish Government must urgently review its private prison expenditure after the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service confirmed that inflation uplifts built into these contracts result in cuts to the overall prison budget, according to the Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP. Colin McConnell made the statement at Hoylrood’s Justice Committee this morning.

In written evidence provided to the committee, the Auditor General stated that the uplifts, “will require additional recurring savings of around £12 million a year by 2022-23.”

Equal Protection Passes

John Finnie MSP Fri 4 Oct, 2019

Parliament takes historic and courageous step

MSPs have taken the historic decision to back Green MSP John Finnie’s Equal Protection Bill yesterday evening, meaning that children in Scotland will soon be given the same legal protection from assault that adults currently enjoy.

John Finnie MSP said:

Minister accused of ripping up fair work agreement

Tue 24 Sep, 2019

The Islands Minister has been accused of ripping up a fair work agreement signed by the Scottish Government less than a year ago after he named Serco as the preferred bidder for a lifeline ferry contract.

The Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP challenged Mr Wheelhouse in parliament this afternoon (24 Sep), after the government named the outsourcing giant as its choice to run the Northern Isles Ferry Services for the next eight years.