Coatbridge and Chryston MSP Fulton MacGregor has now spoken in the Scottish Parliament over 500 times since his election in May 2016 according to information on the TheyWorkForYou website.
This website allows constituents to follow the speaking activities of their Parliamentarians. Unlike for MPs in the UK Parliament the data does not include committee work and only records contributions in the Parliament Chamber.
Commenting Mr MacGregor said:
“Coatbridge is my home town where I was born and bred and every day I’m immensely proud to represent Coatbridge and Chryston in our Scottish Parliament. I was quite surprised to learn that I have already spoken in the Chamber over 500 times – MSPs are incredibly busy and it just kind of catches up with you.
“When I was elected I promised to be a strong voice for my constituency and I hope people feel that I have been that regardless of how they voted in 2016. These five hundred or so contributions are made up of hundreds of speeches, hundreds of questions to Ministers and also include interventions during debates.
“I have used my Member’s Debate time to highlight a variety of issues such as support for missing people following the tragic case of local man Sean McKenna and the ongoing work of his family. I have also held debates on the Give them Time Campaign and the right to deferred entry at school, and on increasing paternity leave to tackle inequality.
“I have and will continue to speak on a whole range of issues of national importance and I always make the point of reflecting on how these are impacting on people in my constituency. I regularly take the opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of local voluntary organisations, businesses, schools, other statutory services and individuals and how their inspiration can shape the national agenda.
“I also take every opportunity to ask Ministers questions about specific issues affecting people in Coatbridge & Chryston. This has often led to delivering real results. Two such examples include securing cast iron guarantees on the future of a new Monklands Hospital from the Health Secretary, and securing an independent review initiated by the Depute First Minister into long standing concerns at Buchanan and St Ambrose schools ultimately bringing some clarity and a way forward through the establishment of a Site Recovery Group.
“My priority as MSP is always first and foremost my constituents. My team and I have taken forward thousands of individual cases for constituents and I’ll never shy away from an issue that affects the area whether that’s the proposed incinerator at Carnbroe, the protection of the Stepps Greenbelt, the Shawhead Flyover or standing up against cuts to vital local services.
“My message to constituents is clear: I will continue to represent Coatbridge and Chryston to the best of my ability for the rest of this parliament term and hopefully, if you are happy with me come the election in May 2021, for several more years to come. “
Fulton MacGregor 