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.

Finnie questions bus services funding reduction

Wed 9 Jan, 2019

Following questions to the Minister for Public Finance & Digital Economy. Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie has called on the Scottish Government to prioritise the provision of bus services, in light of a reduction in support for bus services in its draft budget

The world is a better place because of those who bravely follow peace processes

John Finnie MSP Fri 4 Jan, 2019

Like many, I am always keen to support any cessation of violence or moves to peace.

In any armed conflict, it takes courage to disarm and good grace to engage with former combatants.

The world is a better place because of those who bravely followed peace processes in the north of Ireland and South Africa and, whilst there are unresolved differences, a willingness to seek truth and reconciliation provides a constructive environment in which former adversaries and communities can move forward together.

Government ignoring demand for safer cycling routes; ministers set to fail target

Sun 30 Dec, 2018

The Scottish Greens today (30 Dec) accused the SNP Government of ignoring public demand for safer cycling routes as ministers look set to fail to meet their own target of ensuring that 10 per cent of all journeys in Scotland are made by bicycle within the next twelve months.

The 2020 target is a long way from the current situation, with the most recent Household Survey showing that just 3 per cent of adults usually cycle to work and less than 1 per cent of children cycle to school.

Finnie calls for action to make all Scottish railway stations “step-free”

Thu 27 Dec, 2018

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson John Finnie MSP is today (27 Dec) calling on Scottish Ministers to speed up action to make all Scottish railway stations “step-free” to improve accessibility for people with mobility difficulties and families with prams and buggies.

A Freedom of Information request to Network Rail from the Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands reveals that of over 350 stations in Scotland, only 40 are officially classified as “step-free”, although some may have platforms accessible via paths.

Transport Secretary must bring to an end Abellio’s disastrous ScotRail reign

Tue 18 Dec, 2018

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson John Finnie MSP has called on the Scottish Government to end the current ScotRail franchise as chaos continues across the rail network.

Mr Finnie, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, made the call in parliament this afternoon (18 Dec 2018). He highlighted the Scottish Government’s ambition to take control of Network Rail, which is currently controlled by the UK Government. Greens support the devolution of Network Rail, and believe that both track and train operations should be run by a public sector operator.

Climate Change: are we doing all we can to prevent catastrophic climate change?

Tue 4 Dec, 2018

Join John Finnie MSP, former H&I Greens co-convenor Ariane Burgess and current H&I Greens co-convenor Fabio Villani for a participative evening of ideas sharing and discussion about the many, complementary approaches we can take in our efforts to prevent catastrophic climate change: personal, political, spiritual, community-based, protest marches and joyful dances are all valid approaches.

The event will run from 7.15pm to 8.45pm on Friday, 7 December, in the Sunshine Room, East Whins, The Park, Findhorn.

Greens Win Kelp Dredging Ban

Mon 3 Dec, 2018

The Scottish Green Party has hailed victory in the fight to ban the mechanical harvesting of kelp by dredging.

Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform confirmed that she will support Green plans to prohibit the practice, in response to a question from Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie

Potential jobs boost shouldn't distract from disastrous plans for ship-to-ship oil transfers, warns Finnie

Mon 26 Nov, 2018

News of a potential jobs boost at Invergordon shouldn't distract from the Cromarty Firth Port Authority’s "disastrous" plans for ship-to-ship oil transfers and the body’s lack of accountability, according to Scottish Green MSP John Finnie.

Finnie warns Transport Bill doesn't address poverty or do enough to tackle deaths from air pollution

Wed 21 Nov, 2018

Scottish Greens Transport spokesperson John Finnie MSP today (21 Nov) warned that the Scottish Government's proposed Transport Bill doesn't address poverty or do enough to tackle deaths from air pollution.

During today's meeting of Holyrood's Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee, Mr Finnie questioned Transport Secretary Michael Matheson.

John said:

Victory in the fight to ban the mechanical harvesting of kelp by dredging

Tue 20 Nov, 2018

The Scottish Green Party has today hailed victory in the fight to ban the mechanical harvesting of kelp by dredging.