John Finnie

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.

Scottish Greens: Nationalisation plans only first step to improving railways

Wed 17 Mar, 2021

Scottish Greens have welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to take the railways under public ownership.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed ministers will not renew Scotrail operator Abellio’s contract and instead run the railways under an arm’s length company.

Responding, Scottish Greens transport spokesperson John Finnie said: “Greens have long called for public ownership of our railways, so we welcome this progress from the Scottish Government.

UNCRC adoption builds on equal protection for children

Tue 16 Mar, 2021

Scottish Greens welcome the expected incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.

MSPs are expected to vote today to incorporate the convention, which gives equal rights to everyone under the age of 18.

The move follows new laws which give children equal protection from assault, brought by Scottish Green MSP John Finnie and which came into force in November.

Greens: Railways can pave way to green recovery

Wed 24 Feb, 2021

Scotland’s railways can play a crucial role in getting Scotland moving again while cutting dangerous climate emissions, the Scottish Greens have said.

In the last debate led by Scottish Green transport spokesperson John Finnie before he retires at the election, the party’s £22bn ‘Rail For All’ proposals to upgrade, nationalise and electrify the railways were introduced to parliament.

Scottish Greens Move to Protect Livestock from Foxhunting Dogs

Tue 23 Feb, 2021

John will this week move to remove an exemption that allows dogs on a foxhunt to attack or worry farm animals.

SNP MSP Emma Harper has introduced a member’s bill which would place severe penalties on dog owners who allow their dog to worry livestock. However, the draft laws retain an exemption for hunting dogs from earlier legislation.

John Finnie has moved to remove the exemption.

Government must get short term lets regulations right

Thu 18 Feb, 2021

Responding to reports that the Scottish Government has withdrawn its proposed short term lets regulations, Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie said:

Scottish Greens call for football abuse inquiry

Thu 11 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Government must establish a judge led public inquiry into sexual abuse in football, Scottish Greens justice spokesperson John Finnie MSP has said.

Mr Finnie made the call after the SFA published its independent review of sexual abuse in football, a document which reveals shocking contempt for the welfare of young people.

John Finnie MSP said:

Crown Office must rebuild trust in justice system

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

The Lord Advocate must commit to rebuilding trust in Scotland’s justice system after the significant failures associated with the Rangers administration case, Scottish Greens justice spokesperson John Finnie MSP has said.

The failures associated with the case resulted in the Crown Office admitting that the prosecutions brought against the administrators were malicious, and has cost the public purse more than £20 million.

John Finnie MSP said:

Greens welcome rural testing expansion

Mon 8 Feb, 2021

Welcoming the announcement that 21 rural fire stations across the NHS Highland area are to be used as testing sites, following successful trials at Thurso and Lochgilphead, Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said:

Greens welcome rural testing expansion

Mon 8 Feb, 2021

Railway experts welcome Scottish Greens rail vision

Sun 31 Jan, 2021

Rail experts have welcomed a £22bn Scottish Greens vision to upgrade Scotland’s railways, declaring it “bold and technically literate” and “genuinely aspirational”.

The Rail for All report, which was launched this month by the Scottish Greens, includes proposals for a new tunnel under the Forth between Leith and Fife which would free up the network for electrification. It would see new rural stations open up across the country and faster links between cities.