Photo © Scottish Parliament
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament
Martin Whitfield
Unknown party
At a glance Martin Whitfield was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Martin Whitfield did not vote in 36.
Voting record
The most recent divisions Martin Whitfield voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
| 24 Mar 2026 | Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Railways Bill - UK Legislation | For |
| 24 Mar 2026 | Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill | For |
| 19 Mar 2026 | Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 8th Report, 2026 (Session 6) | For |
| 19 Mar 2026 | Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill | Abstain |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill | Against |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill | Against |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill | For |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Business Programme | Against |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Approval of SSI | For |
| 11 Mar 2026 | Business Programme | For |
Questions
Martin Whitfield has tabled 543 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, and in light of reports that To…
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, and in light of reports that Torness Nuclear Power Station is due to close by 2030, what its response is to the UK Government’s new Fusion Strategy, which aims to deliver thousands of jobs and long-term energy security.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its response is to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointme…
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its response is to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee announcement on pastoral support for MSPs that was made in the Chamber on 10 March.
Awaiting an answer.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the extension of the life of Torness Nuclear Power Station.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the extension of the life of Torness Nuclear Power Station.
Answer · Gillian Martin · 20 Mar 2026
The Scottish Government is supportive of extending the operating lifespan of Torness if strict environment and safety criteria continue to be met.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure of Torness Nuclear Power Statio…
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure of Torness Nuclear Power Station on grid stability.
Answer · Gillian Martin · 19 Mar 2026
Responsibility for assessing grid stability, system inertia and generational adequacy rests with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator (NESO), as electricity security of supply is a reserved matter.The Scottish Government is confident that NESO, as the body responsible for system operability, will ensure that grid stability and security of supply are maintained as the energy system transitions. The Scottish Government remains engaged to plan for any challenging scenarios that might emerge and meet regularly with NESO colleagues to discuss how they are ensuring a secure and resilient energy system.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure of Torness Nuclear Power Statio…
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure of Torness Nuclear Power Station on consumer energy bills.
Answer · Gillian Martin · 20 Mar 2026
Energy pricing is fully reserved to the UK Government, and despite Scotland being an energy rich country, bills remain £73 higher than at the last election. The UK Government must set out how it will deliver its promised £300 reduction.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of grid inertia in light of the planned clos…
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of grid inertia in light of the planned closure of Torness Nuclear Power Station.
Answer · Gillian Martin · 20 Mar 2026
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-44147 on 19 March 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that election materials, including postal ballot…
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that election materials, including postal ballot papers, are delivered on time and to a high standard prior to the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May 2026, in light of reports from the Communication Workers Union that the decreasing postal service workforce in Scotland could pose a risk to these deliveries.
Answer · Graeme Dey · 11 Mar 2026
While Royal Mail and postal delivery services are reserved to the UK Government the Scottish Government is committed to the safe delivery of the parliamentary election on 7 May.I have been concerned to see the recent reports from the BBC and other media outlets stating that Royal Mail are pursuing a policy of prioritising the delivery of parcels while letters remain undelivered for a much longer period of time than should be the case. This is why I have already written to Mr Alistair Cochrane, Interim CEO of the Royal Mail Group requesting a meeting to discuss with him how Royal Mail intend to ensure election materials are delivered within the required timescales. This meeting is scheduled to take place on 19 March 2026.In addition, representatives of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland will be meeting with Royal Mail on a weekly basis from mid-March through to the election on 7 May. This has been normal practice in the run up to previous elections and provides an opportunity to deal with any issues as they arise.
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that pupils, parents and teachers may have to …
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that pupils, parents and teachers may have to wait until 2031 for meaningful reform of the qualifications system, and that Qualifications Scotland will only be a rebrand of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, with many of the same structures and staff remaining in place.
Awaiting an answer.
Motions lodged
Speeches
Recent things Martin Whitfield has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
25 Mar 2026 General Question Time
What estimate has the Scottish Government made of the direct financial losses to East Lothian resulting from the closure of Torness nuclear power station, including the projected reduction in high-skilled employment, the impact on local su…
25 Mar 2026 General Question Time (draft)
What estimate has the Scottish Government made of the direct financial losses to East Lothian resulting from the closure of Torness nuclear power station, including the projected reduction in high-skilled employment, the impact on local su…
25 Mar 2026 General Question Time
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, and in light of reports that Torness nuclear power station is due to close by 2030, what its response is to the United Kingdom Government’s new fusion …
25 Mar 2026 General Question Time (draft)
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, and in light of reports that Torness nuclear power station is due to close by 2030, what its response is to the United Kingdom Government’s new fusion …
24 Mar 2026 Adoption Support for Families (draft)
I am absolutely certain that the minister’s future will be massively successful.It is a pleasure to speak in the debate. I thank Fulton MacGregor not just for bringing the motion to the chamber but for all his work throughout this parliame…
24 Mar 2026 Decision Time (draft)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app failed to connect in time. I would have voted yes.
24 Mar 2026 Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026 (draft)
I sense members’ relief that this is the final motion that I will speak to tonight. It comes under section 15 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016.I will take a moment to put on record my deep thanks to colleagues across the chamber who sat…
24 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Miscellaneous and Minor Amendments) (draft)
Any members who are paying particular attention will understand the challenge that the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee has with regard to the post-European Union landscape. We are suggesting an extension until …
24 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Miscellaneous and Minor Amendments) (draft)
Our seventh report deals with miscellaneous and minor amendments, particularly one proposed by the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, which recommended the removal of references to “the EU” from standing orders, …
24 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Cross-party Groups) (draft)
The last few motions before us today are the final motions from the committee designed to put the standing orders book in its best possible state for the next session.The first motion, regarding the sixth report, relates to cross-party gro…
24 Mar 2026 Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)
I ask members to note my entry in the members’ register of interests.As we come to the conclusion of today’s debate, I rise to offer the full support of Scottish Labour for the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill. At its hea…
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners) (draft)
I believe that the Deputy Presiding Officer is fully aware that the committee that will follow the present Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, which had its final meeting today, would be open to any such recommendation…
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners) (draft)
If the intervention is very quick.
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners) (draft)
I am very grateful for that intervention, which gives me the opportunity to thank Emma Roddick for her service on my committee and to draw me back to the purpose of the proposals that we are considering tonight.It is right to say that it i…
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners) (draft)
We spent a great deal of time listening to evidence—not necessarily specifically about any award-winning convener but about the challenges of such a process potentially being open to manipulation. Members will see that, under the proposed …
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners) (draft)
Christine Grahame’s intervention picks up on the workload that conveners have to take on. As an innocent, naive convener at the start of the session, I had not appreciated the phenomenal workload. I accepted that as I became experienced, b…
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners) (draft)
In these challenging times, we need to remember that the proposals for amendments to standing orders are about getting the next session of Parliament off to the best possible start without any periods of wondering.This final report is the …
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Gender-sensitive Audit Recommendations) (draft)
I am grateful for the member’s careful wording as to how he feels that his time on the corporate body has gone. He is correct, because the recommendations strengthen the requirement for gender balance to be considered at the nomination sta…
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Gender-sensitive Audit Recommendations) (draft)
There is a phrase about a bad penny, but I will try to recall that later on.Our fourth report of 2026 sets out the committee’s proposals for standing order rule changes relating to the Parliament’s gender-sensitive audit recommendations fo…
19 Mar 2026 Standing Order Rule Changes (Strengthening Committees’ Effectiveness) (draft)
I am grateful for the intervention from Sue Webber, who was a member of the committee when we discussed the matter. She and other members will be aware from the report that great concern was raised that pressure will be put on women, parti…
Seat & career
- South Scotland (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 6 May 2021 – 8 Apr 2026
Allowances
2025 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Contact & offices
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.