Graham Simpson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day
About Graham Simpson
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6983
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
Room 35-36, Airdrie Business Centre
1 Chapel Lane
Airdrie
ML6 6GX
Committees
Graham is a member of 2 committees
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Substitute Member
Public Audit Committee
Member
Cross-party groups
Graham is a member of 11 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Aviation
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Construction
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Credit Unions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Germany
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Housing
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Life Sciences
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Maritime and Shipbuilding
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sustainable Transport
Convener
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Graham does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Graham has 3 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Net Zero
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Graham has had 23 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
29 June 2023 - 08 February 2024
Local Government Housing and Planning Committee
Substitute Member
08 September 2021 - 29 June 2023
Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee
Substitute Member
22 September 2022 - 29 June 2023
Economy and Fair Work Committee
Member
17 June 2021 - 22 September 2022
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Connectivity
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
20 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
27 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Deputy Convener
16 December 2020 - 04 May 2021
Economy Energy and Fair Work Committee
Member
20 August 2020 - 27 August 2020
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 20 August 2020
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
25 February 2020 - 20 August 2020
Social Security Committee
Member
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Party Spokesperson on Social Security
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Convener
05 September 2017 - 25 February 2020
conveners group
Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Housing
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
03 September 2019 - 18 February 2020
Party Spokesperson on Planning
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 03 September 2019
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
29 June 2017 - 05 September 2017
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Local Government
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Register of interests
Graham's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Graham Simpson has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 28 March 2024
Rail Travel (Safety)
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "Surely, if there are developments on the issue, the cabinet secretary should tell us what they are. After all, she is the Cabinet Secretary for Transport. Will those developments please the RMT?"
Chamber meeting date: 28 March 2024
Public Transport (Fair Fares Review)
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "I apologise—I am a little bit hoarse today. I also apologise for having to leave as soon as I have spoken. I have already spoken about that with the Presiding Officer and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport…
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Ferguson Marine (Chief Executive)
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the chief executive of Ferguson Marine had his contract of employment terminated yesterday."
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
Events (Scheduling)
6. Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will give further consideration to allowing events to start in the Parliament building while members’ business debates are on-going. (S6O-03258)"
Public Audit Committee meeting date: 21 March 2024
Section 22 Report: “The 2022/23 audit of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland”
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con): "I will turn to Mr Brannen first. Mr Beattie asked about taxable benefits, and we heard that commission staff were able to claim for glasses, for example. Do such benefits exist in the rest of the Scottish Government?"
Votes
How Graham Simpson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Graham Simpson has voted recently.
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Clare Adamson, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 22 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Natalie Don, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 69 for, 49 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 31 for, 69 against, 20 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 18, 2024
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 21, 2024
Result 85 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Graham Simpson in Parliament
Find out what motions Graham Simpson has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Graham Simpson has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to set out how the aviation sector will decarbonise in line with Scotland’s emissions targets, while managing technology risks, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will conduct a "comprehensive assessment of the suitability of deploying shore power and electric recharging infrastructure at all Scotland’s major ports", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recommendations in the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Report to Parliament, how it plans to align its climate targets with the UK Government's targets, and, if it has no such plans, what the reasons are for its position on this matter."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how its approach to Bus Service Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs) differs to the equivalent plans of the UK Government."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support the market for electric (a) car and (b) van sales to move more quickly than is set out in the UK-wide zero-emission vehicle mandate, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what elements of the UK Government's National Bus Strategy: 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), regarding the approach to the preparation of BSIPs by English local transport authorities, it has rejected as a model for local transport in Scotland."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a clear strategy on how a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled will be achieved by 2030, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out the impact of achieving its 20% car kilometres reduction target on the road building plans set out in its 2023-24 Programme for Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address any challenges around decarbonising rail freight, especially on less busy lines "where network electrification is unlikely to be cost-effective", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
Asked by: Simpson, Graham, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a plan for meeting its commitment for 30% of Scottish Government-managed ferries to be low-emission by 2032, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament."
Answer expected on 26 April 2024
See all of Graham Simpson's questions submitted in Parliament