Father, husband
@mrskrgray
& SNP MSP for Airdrie & Shotts. ScotGov Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care. Constituents: neil.gray.msp
@parliament
.scot
I don’t get it. All this “advice” for women to go about their daily lives, to have constant, conscious decisions to make that men don’t. Where’s the advice to educate our sons, to teach them about being respectful, being conscious of women’s rights & not sexualising them?
It’s incredible that BBC Scotland would choose to cut public health press conferences by
@NicolaSturgeon
. Why now? We are at a critical point in fight against COVID-19, messaging is key. They surely haven’t succumbed to political pressure? Public health should be above politics.
Topical side note. Liz Truss secured 81,326 out of total electorate of 172,437. She doesn’t have the 50% of total electorate she demands Scotland achieves to decide on our own future. Hypocrite.
#indyref2
Delighted that John Swinney has copy and pasted my free schools meals policy from September.
Hopefully his next act is to follow
@ScotTories
plans to increase teacher numbers by 3000, back to pre-SNP levels.
The idea
@Ianblackford_MP
was behind revealing of Boris Johnson’s holiday location, in the Daily Mail, is absolutely preposterous. But a suitable deflection from UKgov exams crisis & pro-independence polling rocketing to record levels. The targeted smearing of Ian needs to stop.
Brilliant question from
@MhairiBlack
at
#PMQs
. “Is £110 a month enough for someone who is pregnant on Universal Credit”? Eventually Boris Johnson had to say no. Big changes and investment needed in UC at the Budget, then. Time for a working age minimum income guarantee?
Couldn’t believe what I heard from Nicholas Soames shouting “go back to Isle of Skye” as
@IanBlackfordMP
stood up to start Emergency
#brexit
debate. Shameful, contemptuous behaviour. Ian clearly getting under skin of the Tories & they are reduced to abusing him & shouting down
“Whatever your politics, you can agree that punishing disabled and sick people for falling on hard times is absolutely morally wrong and they have blood on their hands”
@chessmartinez
on the government’s austerity policy.
#bbcqt
Any evidenced use of chemical weapons is utterly deplorable & illegal, but UK has agreed to participate in a bombing campaign before hearing from chemical weapons inspectors, arriving today, indeed sites targeted this morning could’ve destroyed evidence as to what happened 1/
It is clear
@IanBlackfordMP
is rattling PM Tory MPs, before they resort to coordinated chanting as he speaks. The disrespect and childish behaviour angered the Speaker as they ignored his call to stop trying to intimidate and shout him down. Keep fighting the good fight Ian
#PMQS
UKGov clearly rattled by consistent pro-independence polling, Chancellor ridiculously suggesting independent Scotland wouldn’t or couldn’t have implemented
#covid19
economic support, ONLY UK can? Tell that to all the small independent nations around the world. Laughable.
Tory Lord Michael Forsyth blaming pressures on NHS on immigrants is worst kind of Brexiteer dog whistle politics which shames our discourse. We’re more likely to be treated by EU Dr than be in bed next to EU patient. Awful.
@FionaHyslop
bringing sense to proceedings
#bbcqt
Theresa May says 55% of Scotland’s electorate didn’t vote SNP so our General Election mandate can be ignored. Not really thinking it through, is she? Extension of that logic is that 57% didn’t vote for Boris Johnson therefore he has no right to govern
#QueenSpeech
#unionlogic
I am so sorry, heartsick sad, for
@HumzaYousaf
& Nadia. They’ve always put others before themselves & today encapsulates that. He’s led & left with dignity, compassion & an overwhelming desire to put the interests of the nation before his own. A true leader. So proud of my friend
Stay classy
@mgoldenmsp
. My wife is from England & we have never experienced anti-English sentiment in
@theSNP
. Such a lazy, divisive, baseless, load of nonsense trope. See once the Tories have dealt with your Islamaphohia, come back &talk to us about an issue that doesn’t exist.
Today I tweeted support for
@MhairiBlack
’s
#PMQs
on Universal Credit & then responded to someone having a go at her. Since then the abusive pile on has been unbelievable. It is disgraceful the way she & other women are treated online. And it needs to stop. Disagree politely.
Labour promised to lower energy bills and now in UK Government they’ve cut winter fuel payment and today allowed the energy price cap to go up. Labour austerity is costing us all more.
Today, Ofgem have announced an energy price cap rise that almost triples bills since last winter.
This rise will be devastating to people across the country.
Labour has a fully costed plan to freeze energy bills, meaning people won’t pay a penny more this winter.
.
@MairiMcAllan
has been brilliant on
#bbcqt
setting out calm, measured but also rightly at times passionate case for
@theSNP
’s prospectus for Scotland & independent Scotland’s place in the EU. But why, unlike other panelists, has Fiona Bruce interrupted every time she has spoken?
I tell you what, that
@IanBlackfordMP
is on top form. He is showing above all others, not just on
#bbcqt
, but in the Commons about how to be a statesman. Leading cross party action to stop No Deal and standing up to Boris, Ian is an incredibly able leader
A strong, calm, factual, dignified and reflective opening statement from
@NicolaSturgeon
. She has set out clearly that while mistakes were made by SG, she has acted entirely properly throughout.
Imagine being so blinded by tribal bitterness that you write a column trying to undermine the FM, & by extension, Scotland’s influence on the world stage on an issue as important as the climate. Same old Tories. In reality Scotland is leading the world on loss & damage at
#COP27
One of my best mates has just messaged me about his up until now Tory voting Mum turning to
@theSNP
and
@YesScot
. The tides are turning, but we must keep on working hard, earning and re-earning the trust of people across Scotland.
#BothVotesSNP
#SP21
#itscomingyet
The heckling and abuse that
@Ianblackford_MP
got flung at him from Tories today just emboldened him. A very good speech highlighting the folly of scrapping remote participation leading to the disenfranchisement of MPs by the British Government. Surely this cannot continue.
We can work from home, we should work from home, it's the right thing to do. The Tories reckless plans to end hybrid parliamentary arrangements puts people at risk and discriminates against others. Certain Tories attitudes in todays debate tell you that they simply don't care.
All these Labour MPs and MSPs tweeting their solidarity with Glasgow’s women today. Where was that solidarity when for YEARS Labour was dragging them through the courts to fight the deals
@theSNP
has been trying to sort for ten months?
#Hypocrites
#EqualPay
Wrong again on your Scottish politics observations, Andrew.
@JeaneF1MSP
has been a first class Health Secretary and truly objective observers will be sorry to lose her talent and experience from Holyrood
I understand Ms Freeman called Health Secretary Hancock to apologise. Scottish friends tell me she’s been a useless Scottish health minister. I think she’s retiring at the next elections. Maybe she’ll rejoin the Communist party.
Isn’t it incredible that Boris Johnson, who only a matter of months before the 2016
#Brexit
referendum wasn’t sure which way to vote, now finds his principles strong enough to resign from Government just as May is at her weakest? The Poundshop Machiavelli.
Oh dear, Ross Thomson just got burned again on
#BBCQT
about his “tough on drugs” rhetoric, by an actual criminologist, who has studied the area he represents. Just another one of those experts he doesn’t listen to.
Just to confirm this is total nonsense. In intros to a fringe session I was chairing another panellist jokingly referred to Oasis tickets. I said like so many I was in the queue, but felt Half the World Away from getting any. People laughed & we went into the serious business 1/3
Good morning, our front page today leads on Health Secretary Neil Gray trying to buy Oasis tickets while taking part in a discussion about Alzheimer’s disease. Read our coverage here
I miss Margo, she was the best of us. I hadn’t seen this clip before, but it is typical Margo - clever, forceful and delivered with a wry smile. Our independence movement stand on the shoulders of giants like her.
Along with
@theSNP
colleagues I will vote against Boris Johnson’s awful Brexit deal on Wednesday. And we are absolutely clear why: it’s a bad deal for Scotland and Scotland didn’t vote for it.
Theresa May stands up, Boris Johnson walks out. It is normal courtesy for the PM to hear the response from the third party, in this case coming next from
@GradySNP
, he chose not even to his listen to his predecessor PM. Graceless to say the least.
"The safety of our children is the most paramount thing - surely the (Tory) Member agrees?"
@kaukabstewart
"No, I don't agree."
ICYMI: Exams will go ahead unless the public heath advice at the time goes against that. The opportunism from the Tories is absolutely staggering.
Amazing how some consistent pro-Yes polling draws out all the anti-independence politicians, influencers & columnists into more & more desperate reasons why a second referendum can’t or won’t happen. It’s not up to them, it’s up to the people of Scotland to decide when to hold it
I remember being in Westminster when Labour joined
@theSNP
& made big play for justice for
#WaspiWomen
. Now only SNP stands by them. The economic changes Labour speaks of haven’t impacted their view of bankers bonuses, so why female pensioners who have suffered a gross injustice?
In 2019 Dodds said Waspi women should be compensated, but she says circumstances have changed. When pressed on whether she still believes, in principle, that those women should be compensated, Dodds says they deserve respect but she refuses to say Labour would compensate them
Absolutely thrilled, if a bit daunted, to have been asked by
@NicolaSturgeon
to join her government subject to approval of Parliament. A really exciting portfolio that I’m looking forward to getting stuck into to build on
@JennyGilruth
’s legacy & work alongside
@AngusRobertson
Neil Gray MSP will join the Scottish Government as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, subject to Parliamentary approval.
More information on today's Ministerial changes⬇️
What a pleasure to meet legend that is
@Lenniesaurus
as we were at an event in Airdrie this morning about the future of the town & how we build on the culture, history, heritage, language & incredible people living locally! Her
#ScotsWordoftheDay
is brilliant an inspiring so many
A fantastic result for
@theSNP
in North Lanarkshire, 45% of the vote, we will keep working hard for local people and showing our appreciation for this continued support
#VoteSNP
#EUelections2019
Food365 feeds hundreds of children throughout the year. During the summer holidays it has served over 5,000 meals. It is a practical response to austerity. Scottish Labour’s policies mean that we are the only Party which is anti-austerity. Well done
@nlcpeople
.
#RealChange
• Oh ma’ darlin wee ones, at last you are here in the wurld 🏴 •
@scotgov
Thank you for the amazing Baby Boxes - the poem gives me all the feels. I’m so pleased my babes get to grow up in Scotland ❤️
#babygray3
#babygray4
#theirfutureinourhands
Correct. Criticism of
@NicolaSturgeon
extending Scotland’s links abroad says more about insularity of Brexit Britain Tories, than it does about an internationalist, progressive
@theSNP
Scottish Government.
If the First Minister is going to insist on regular press briefings again, she needs to reflect on her conduct towards journalists. This is pretty poor. 👇🏻
This is a really big deal. Sumitomo Electric is an internationally renowned cable manufacturer - so having their expertise come to Scotland is a huge vote of confidence for ScotWind & massive opportunity that our renewables potential generates.
🏴🤝🇯🇵
A new factory for subsea high-voltage cable to be built in the Highlands by
@Sumitomo_s_m
. Attracted by offshore ScotWind orders. No details on investment scale, location or jobs yet, but it'll have to big.
Scottish economy secretary
@neilcgray
in Osaka HQ today to seal the deal
.
@theSNP
Scottish Government has balanced its budget every year since coming to power in 2007. We do not have the same borrowing powers Westminster enjoys to smooth in year pressures or cuts arriving from Westminster. As
@wesstreeting
rightly said “all roads lead to Westminster”
Tell you what makes me angry. The Liberal/Tory austerity choices that hammered public services and impoverished people. But you know, giving people in Scotland a choice over their own future 🤷♂️
I lost my temper in Parliament on Wednesday.
We were told by Sturgeon that many Bills were to be ditched because Covid required our full attention. Yet now she is making precious parliamentary time available for a Bill about the minutiae of
#indyref2
.
No wonder I'm angry. 👇
My thanks to the people of Airdrie & Shotts for giving me the honour of being your MSP. Earlier I was sworn in, taking the affirmation in English and Orcadian, thanks to Dr Simon Hall for translation. Very proud to have done so wearing my Dad’s 50+yr old kilt and jacket!
This is appalling from
@RobertJenrick
he must know - and so is wilfully misleading - that as an example - displaced Ukrainians - Scotland has had more arrivals per head than anywhere else in the UK. And we welcome and celebrate the contribution they and other arrivals make.
In one breath
@RobertJenrick
claims the UK Government is proud of its record on refugees from Ukraine and Hong Kong, while lying that those communities aren't housed in Scotland - a surprise to
@scotrefcouncil
@ScottishHK
&
@AUGBGlasgow
to be sure🤯
He should be ashamed.
Throughout this pandemic,
@scottishlabour
has supported a precautionary approach to tackling the public health crisis - and with the spread of the virus now accelerating, it is right to consider putting further restrictions in place as a matter of urgency. (1/3)
I was sat directly opposite him, he said “suicide” clearly and directly to
@IanBlackfordMP
so there was no ambiguity. His colleagues heard it too and were visably embarrassed and disgusted. There is no misquoting. He said something horrendous and should apologise immediately.
Shouting someone down, or attempting to intimidate them doesn’t mean you win. The dignity, strength of character & reasonableness of
@Jacob_Rees_Mogg
meant he won tonight. And I disagree with him on probably just about everything. Can we just get back to debating please?
GRR bill literally says in its text that nothing in it impacts on the Equality Act. This isn’t about impact on reserved legislation as they pretend, this is a political decision because UKGov disagrees. That is without question an attack on devolution & sets a terrible precedent.
Scottish Secretary says UKgov is using a S35 order to block a Holyrood bill (for the first time) due to concerns that the gender reforms would have “an adverse impact on the operation of Great Britain-wide equalities legislation”
Huge honour & privilege to be asked to serve in
@HumzaYousaf
’s cabinet & in such an important role. Big shoes to fill as new portfolio comes from parts what
@JohnSwinney
@_KateForbes
&
@MathesonMichael
had previous responsibly for. I will give it my all for the people of Scotland
❤️
@neilcgray
takes on the role as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, as we work towards delivering our vision of Scotland an economy with wellbeing at its heart.
Huge congratulations to the new
@theSNP
MP for Airdrie & Shotts -
@AnumQaisarJaved
! She has worked so hard & demonstrated in her campaign how she will commit herself as the MP. Thank you to everyone who voted & the amazing
@AirdrieShottSNP
team!
Rushi Sunak said on BBC News he is looking everywhere for innovative ideas to protect jobs & livelihoods. Here’s a few for starters:
1. Maintain furlough scheme
2. Accept
@GavNewlandsSNP
’s fire and rehire Bill
3. Finally provide financial support to the
@ExcludedUK
3million
The obsession with Big Ben chiming for Brexit really highlights the shallowness of the Vote Leave campaign. Big Ben to bong (thanks to public subscription), but no guarantee for EU nationals, no guarantee on Erasmus and a power grab from the devolved settlement. Priorities.
Boris Johnson reveals that Downing Street is planning a 'bung a bob for a Big Ben bong' campaign, urging the public to chip in to cover the £500,000 cost.
Government control, private sector capitulation, micro-management- all because they don’t like 🇬🇧 labelling on beef farmed in 🇬🇧
Not as if there’s anything else going on, LIKE AN ACTUAL PANDEMIC...
But with this shower, it always comes back to flags 🙄
There has been some absolute nonsense, at times downright lies, left unchallenged on
#BBCQT
tonight, but
@AngusRobertson
@susie_mccabe
and the audience have been brilliant, not just on
#indyref2
but other issues raised too.
It became apparent to us, bizarrely, through the Barnett formula! Allocation to Scottish government following last week's statement was just £21m. That was because total spending envelope so little changed by last week's announcement
Very proud to be a signatory to this bill proposal from my diligent colleague
@GavNewlandsSNP
, who has worked tirelessly for BA crew affected by
#BAbetreyal
. Onus now on UK Government to accept principles of this emergency legislation and stop this disgraceful behaviour.
I've just presented my
#fireandrehire
bill in Parliament.
The behaviour of companies like
#BritishAirways
who threaten mass redundancies to force workers onto vastly reduced T&Cs should be illegal.
I've therefore laid a bill with cross party support to make it illegal
#BAbetreyal
Keir Starmer wants us to believe Labour are really serious about Scotland and devolution this time, when last week they refused to stand up to the Tories in the
#internalmarketbill
and when big decisions about further devolution have come around they prefer Westminster control
This is factually inaccurate - we have seen a net inward migration from the rest of the UK to Scotland for each of the last 20 years. Scotland is demonstrably a good place to live and work, the problem is we don’t have a migration system that works based on Scotland’s needs.
“The issue is… we do have people coming over to the United Kingdom, but.... then not coming to Scotland”
Scottish Conservatives’
@mgallachermsp
lists lack of infrastructure and long NHS waiting lists as reasons people aren't migrating to Scotland
#bbcdn
Revenue growing faster than rUK
Notional deficit down substantially, faster than rUK
Scottish revenue per person higher than rUK
GERS figures encouraging & Scotland’s economy is moving in right direction, but with 41% revenue & 64% spending reserved we don’t have full control
The 2022-23 Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics have been published.
Figures show that total revenue for Scotland has increased by 20.7% or £15 billion. This is compared with 11.3% for the UK as a whole.
Find out more at
#NoToYes
trending across the UK. So many encouraging stories. We must continue to listen to others, debate with respect and make the strong case for Scotland to be independent. The Holyrood elections is where we can say we want our chance to choose our own future
#ItsTime
There’s a real risk we get desensitised to how bad all this is because there has been so much scandal day after day, but we can’t. Any one of these lockdown parties on their own should have been enough to see Boris Johnson leave with his cronies. That he is still PM is a disgrace
EXCLUSIVE: No 10 staff held ‘wine-time Fridays’ throughout pandemic with Boris Johnson regularly witnessing the gatherings.
Sources say PM encouraged aides to "let off steam" despite indoor socialising being banned under lockdown rules.
To be quite clear your party said every vote for the SNP was for
#indyref2
. The SNP secured the most votes ever for a single party in a Holyrood poll & the highest ever share of the vote. Boris bottled taking part in the campaign so would have a cheek to ignore the result.
To be quite clear this morning: a ‘mandate’ to implement a manifesto pledge which is outwith the powers of Holyrood is no more valid for holding an independence referendum than it would be for cutting corporation tax or disbanding the armed forces (1/2)
I’ve worked closely with
@Ianblackford_MP
for many years & his leadership of
@theSNP
WM group has been excellent, exemplified in poll ratings amongst voters. He has also been a great support to colleagues. His outstanding skills & experience will be well deployed in his new role
It’s clear who has the positive vision for Scotland & the record of action as a real leader to back it up & that is
@NicolaSturgeon
. Sadly others, in particular Douglas Ross & Willie Rennie, have little to say about their own plans, other than what they are against
#Leadersdebate
A challenge we wish did not exist, however I’m going to do all I can with support of government colleagues, our local authorities, third & private sector partners to co-ordinate a refugee response where Ukrainians fleeing atrocities of Putin’s war can be welcomed in Scotland 🏴🇺🇦
First Minister
@NicolaSturgeon
has appointed a Minister for Refugees from Ukraine.
Neil Gray, the Minister for Europe and International Development, will coordinate Scotland's approach to the urgent humanitarian crisis.
Find out more ➡
Wage growth in Scotland at 8.1% is sitting higher than the rest of the UK, driven by our public sector pay policy and support for fair work. This is just nonsense from Labour. Keir Starmer’s Labour won’t even support workers taking industrial action, so who knows where they stand
I would remind Angela Rayner that we have engaged constructively with trade unions. That is why we haven't had any NHS strikes in Scotland, in stark comparison to Labour-run Wales.
Will Labour commit to full devolution of employment law should they form the next government?
I’ve been in plenty of international meetings where UKG have insisted on sitting in and I can tell you that it isn’t our international reputation they undermine by doing so.
The Foreign Secretary has said that all meetings between SNP ministers and overseas governments must be organised through the UK Government and attended by its own officials
If the same difficult decision is necessary in Scotland, & we all hope that it won’t be, the funding must be there from the UK Government to deliver the same level of job support that they have provided throughout this pandemic. This can’t be a request, it simply has to be done.
Starmer claiming it is a choice between tuition fees or investment in NHS (both happening in Scotland). The reason for that Hobson’s Choice is *his choice* of continued austerity by matching Tory fiscal plans. If he matched
@theSNP
on progressive taxation he would have £15bn more
.
@StephenFlynnSNP
outstanding on
#bbcsundayshow
on choice people in Scotland have at General Election this year. If you want MPs to stand up for Scotland & ensure on cost of living, energy, economy & the constitution your voice is heard against Westminster consensus -
#VoteSNP
Well said
@JeaneF1MSP
, the fundamental principle and democratic question at stake is about the people of Scotland having the right to choose our own future. If there is majority support for a referendum at May’s election, then it must be
#bbcqt
With more than a million Palestinian civilians sheltering in Rafah, an Israeli offensive must not go ahead.
There must be an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded aid into Gaza that can be delivered regularly, quickly and safely.
Challenges facing NHS in Scotland are not unique to Scotland. Labour’s
@wesstreeting
rightly says issues faced in Wales due to decisions & cuts made at Westminster. In spite of those cuts
@theSNP
investing more in health & social care & we have best performance on most measures🏴
‘All roads lead back to Westminster’
No, not an SNP soundbite.
Instead, those words belong to UK Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary as he explains why the NHS is in crisis in Wales.
Well worth a listen, and a share.
#NHS
She won’t forgive Cameron for EU referendum, fair enough, but Lib Dems wanted one first. Another chapter in Lib Dems trying to rewrite history, like austerity, bedroom tax, tuition fees. We won’t forgive Jo Swinson for her significant part in all that.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson taking Qs from members. Says The PM doesn’t care about the union of the UK & that she can’t forgive David Cameron for calling the 2016 referendum
People across Airdrie & Shotts will be appalled by this unnecessary and damaging decision affecting Shotts Leisure Centre & John Smith Pool.
@theSNP
locally will work with local people to see these potential closures stopped. The campaign to save our leisure facilities is on.
This is what the FM
@HumzaYousaf
referring to in response to
@AnasSarwar
’s spend more without raising revenue line at
#FMQs
. He used to believe in progressive taxation, but now has to follow Sir Keir Starmer’s austerity plans. Labour flip flop, no one knows what they stand for
Great to be with
@AnumQaisarJaved
outside Monklands Hospital on the first weekend of our campaigns. It was
@NicolaSturgeon
and
@theSNP
that saved the A&E in 2007, and it was a SNP led campaign that will see the new hospital built in the Airdrie area.
#BothVotesSNP
Almost 1m signing up for
#UniversalCredit
highlights 3 things:
1. Failure of UKGov job retention & self employed schemes to cover all
2. Need for quicker, more flexible & generous payments - people desperate for support now
3. Emergency Universal Basic Income would’ve solved 1&2
This is absolutely astonishing -
Around 950,000 people have applied for Universal Credit since govt introduced 'stay at home', policy on 16th March - it would normally be about 100,000 over a fortnight
Pleased to announce that I’ve written to the convenor of Airdrie & Shotts SNP branch & SNP National Secretary to confirm that I’m standing to be the SNP candidate for Airdrie & Shotts at the Holyrood elections. Thanks to all who’ve encouraged me to stand. My full statement below:
Terrible day for Labour in Scotland today. First trying to deny the democratic will of half the population then a casual sectarian “joke” from the conference stage.
How far that party has fallen.
On
#STVleaders
debate
@theSNP
’s
@JohnSwinney
exposes Anas Sarwar trying to say one thing in Scotland while Labour says another in Westminster. Labour signed up to Tory austerity. Their plan for NHS - £134m in Scotland - would barely cover a 1% pay rise for NHS staff.
#VoteSNP
I'm truly honoured to have been selected as
@theSNP
candidate for Airdrie & Shotts. Thank you to local members for putting their faith in me to follow the incredible
@AlexNeilSNP
as Holyrood candidate
Hard work ahead to earn & re-earn support of voters & win our independence! 🏴
To serve the people is the greatest honour, what greater challenge than to do your best for a service so cherished & touches everyone’s lives from beginning to end? I’ll give my all for our NHS & social care in great health team & with thousands of dedicated staff across Scotland
🧵The Ministerial appointments I have made today reflect Scotland's priorities.
We will have a relentless focus on reducing poverty, growing our economy, investing in public services and tackling the climate crisis.
We will work tirelessly to deliver for the people of Scotland.