Photo © Scottish Parliament
Member of the Scottish Parliament
Karen Adam
Scottish National Party MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
At a glance Karen Adam is a Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Banffshire and Buchan Coast.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Karen Adam did not vote in 36. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out. At Holyrood an abstention is a deliberate recorded vote, distinct from not voting at all.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Committees
- Education and Gaelic Committee Convener
Voting record
The most recent divisions Karen Adam voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | Against |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | National Security (State Threats) Bill – UK Legislation | For |
| 24 Jun 2026 | Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill - UK Legislation | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | Against |
| 23 Jun 2026 | Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change | For |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Public Service Reform: Empowering Staff, Service Users and Local Communities | For |
Register of interests
From the Scottish Parliament's Register of Interests. Shown as registered; nothing is added or interpreted.
Controlled transactions1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Gifts1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Heritable property1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Interest in shares1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Overseas visits1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Remuneration and related undertaking1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Voluntary1
- No registrable interests. (lodged 27 May 2026)
Questions
Karen Adam has tabled 83 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that the justice system contributes to the national effort to tackle …
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that the justice system contributes to the national effort to tackle violence against women and girls.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that older people’s housing, including sheltere…
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that older people’s housing, including sheltered housing, is prioritised in local housing planning and delivery.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the reliability and accountability of bus services i…
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the reliability and accountability of bus services in rural and coastal constituencies.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government how the additional £10 million of funding for community justice services announced…
To ask the Scottish Government how the additional £10 million of funding for community justice services announced in its draft Budget 2026-27 will be allocated.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support those affected by fuel poverty, in l…
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support those affected by fuel poverty, in light of the recent rise in energy prices and their potential impact on the cost of living for households in Scotland.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local roads authorities on maintaining public safety on loc…
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local roads authorities on maintaining public safety on local roads and pavements in winter, including decisions on street lighting, footway treatment and local grit provision.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 8 Jan 2026
Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, Local Authorities have a duty to manage and maintain local roads in their area to ensure the safe, convenient, and efficient movement of traffic. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing local roads, which is why decisions must be made based on specific local needs. It is not the role of Scottish Ministers to intervene in the day-to-day performance of these local road, local footway, and local grit provision duties.We are, as you would expect, working closely with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council during the current severe weather. Mutual aid from Transport Scotland’s road operators Amey and BEAR has already been provided to Aberdeenshire Council including a total of 12 snow blowing and clearing assets currently operating out of Ellon and used for winter response operations.I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard, day and night, to keep Scotland open and moving in this period of recovery. Public services have been collaborating well in sharing information and vehicles, while I have heard of truly exceptional efforts by farmers, volunteers and members of the public offering to clear local roads, dig out cars and keep people safe.Community resilience has been strong but for many this has been a long period in sever snow conditions, with levels of snow not seen for many years.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Energy Profits Levy on energy jobs and …
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Energy Profits Levy on energy jobs and the energy supply chain in the north east.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the Scottish Economic Link licence is working.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the Scottish Economic Link licence is working.
Awaiting an answer.
Motions lodged
| 24 Jun 2026 | Recognising Shona Watson as Banffshire and Buchan Coast's Local Hero | 13 sig. |
| 11 Jun 2026 | Congratulating the Friends of the Broch Hospital | 12 sig. |
| 3 Jun 2026 | Banffshire and Buchan Coast Success in Scotland's Beach Awards | 15 sig. |
| 2 Jun 2026 | Re-railing the North East | 19 sig. |
| 1 Jun 2026 | Celebrating Glover Festival 2026 | 12 sig. |
| 18 May 2026 | Protect The Vinery in Banff | 8 sig. |
Speeches
Recent things Karen Adam has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
I am sorry, but I will make headway and come back to the member.The north-east has its own mix of industries, pressures and opportunities, which deserves focused attention. The north-east is not waiting for somebody to come and fix everyth…
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
I thank the member for that intervention because it gives me the opportunity to say that I have already opened conversations and will discuss what next steps the campaign is asking for. The SNP manifesto said that there would be support fo…
9 Jun 2026 Growing Scotland’s Economy (draft)
I welcome the cabinet secretary to his new post. It is great to see him in the Parliament.When we talk about the economy, it can sometimes feel like we are talking about something that is quite abstract—something that is separate from peop…
28 May 2026 Scotland’s Energy (draft)
I remind Liam Kerr that I am not a member of the Government, so I do not have the facts to hand. Investment was pledged to the Acorn project to match and support what the UK Government had put into it. However, the UK Government snubbed th…
28 May 2026 Scotland’s Energy (draft)
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome you to your role.It is an absolute honour to stand here again as the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast. I want to be clear from the very start that, in my constituency, energy is not a theor…
28 May 2026 First Minister’s Question Time (draft)
A few weeks ago, the First Minister visited the Vinery in Banff with me and saw the difference that it makes through its offer of a welcome place where people can build confidence, learn new skills, improve wellbeing and sometimes find a r…
14 May 2026 Oaths and Affirmations (draft)
I, Karen Adam, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.The member repeated the solemn affirmation in Brit…
25 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time
Over the past five years, in representing Banffshire and Buchan Coast, I have met many older constituents who are deeply worried about the future of such complexes. Those cases have touched my heart, and they are urgent. Those people want …
25 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
Over the past five years, in representing Banffshire and Buchan Coast, I have met many older constituents who are deeply worried about the future of such complexes. Those cases have touched my heart, and they are urgent. Those people want …
25 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that older people’s housing, including sheltered housing, is prioritised in local housing planning and delivery. (S6O-05711)
25 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that older people’s housing, including sheltered housing, is prioritised in local housing planning and delivery. (S6O-05711)
19 Mar 2026 Portfolio Question Time (draft)
It is Labour’s reckless decision to continue the energy profits levy, but it was started by the Tories, and it is causing hundreds of job losses. Experts are warning that it is going to cost thousands more. It is going to undermine energy …
12 Mar 2026 First Minister’s Question Time (draft)
Presiding Officer,“Labour are doing to Aberdeen what Margaret Thatcher did to Middlesbrough, and it’s utterly shameful.”Those are the words and assessment of GMB general secretary Gary Smith on the impact of the Labour United Kingdom Gover…
12 Mar 2026 First Minister’s Question Time
Presiding Officer,“Labour are doing to Aberdeen what Margaret Thatcher did to Middlesbrough, and it’s utterly shameful.”Those are the words and assessment of GMB general secretary Gary Smith on the impact of the Labour United Kingdom Gover…
12 Mar 2026 General Question Time (draft)
A survey that I recently carried out in my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast showed extremely low satisfaction with the local Stagecoach bus services, because of repeated cancellations, poor communication and concerns about acces…
12 Mar 2026 General Question Time
A survey that I recently carried out in my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast showed extremely low satisfaction with the local Stagecoach bus services, because of repeated cancellations, poor communication and concerns about acces…
12 Mar 2026 General Question Time (draft)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the reliability and accountability of bus services in rural and coastal constituencies. (S6O-05631)
12 Mar 2026 General Question Time
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the reliability and accountability of bus services in rural and coastal constituencies. (S6O-05631)
4 Mar 2026 Education
Does the member agree that the two-child benefit cap and a restriction in public service spending would affect the poverty-related attainment gap?
4 Mar 2026 Education
I understand what the member says about time, but things have changed so much in the past six years since Covid. Also, young people just do not know what type of roles and jobs will be available in the future. They might be in school right…
Seat & career
- Banffshire and Buchan Coast Constituency MSP 7 May 2026 – present
- Banffshire and Buchan Coast Constituency MSP · Dissolution 6 May 2021 – 8 Apr 2026
Allowances
2025 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Contact & offices
Parliamentary
The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
Constituency
20 Chapel Street, Peterhead, AB42 1TL
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.