Speeches by Alexander.

“The SNP failed by its own test.”

“I am a proud product of a Scottish state school and Edinburgh University and I continue to believe in the principles of the Scottish enlightenment. Facts are important in this debate and it is right to recognise that the First Minister received that message from the President. Of course, the President says a great numb…”

“Respectfully, let me read for the record exactly what he said, because I have the quote in front of me, “During President Trump’s visit to Scotland in July, we succeeded in putting whisky firmly on the trade agenda.” I hope I have been able to adduce to the Committee today that whisky was on the agenda. Whisky was on t…”

“A sense of proportion is probably necessary. If you look at the proportion of Scotch whisky that is subject to duty from the Treasury—this is a long-standing conversation with the Scotch Whisky Association—you see that the vast bulk of Scotch whisky is produced for export, so it is not an incidental matter to have stru…”

“I think it is probably for others to make that judgment but certainly my experience, after many years away, is that there is a structured and frequent nature of contact between Ministers that was not as present in the earlier years of devolution. The political dynamics were pretty different after July 2024. As a Labour…”

“Can you remember the timing of the British industrial competitiveness scheme?”

“I will have to check and come back to you.”

“First, there is a philosophical difference between us, notwithstanding our long-standing knowledge of and, I hope, respect for each other. Philosophically I believe in devolution as a two-Parliament solution to Scotland’s governance. I recognise rightly and reasonably that the First Minister takes a different view, bec…”

“For someone to tell me to be shorter, given my height, is quite something, but I will take the direction of the Chair.”

“In the manifesto in 2024 on which I was elected, there were three or four proposals for reform in the Scottish Government, of which the role of the Lord Advocate was one, along with other changes that we recommended. As was set out by the Prime Minister at the Dispatch Box in 2025, our view has been, given the nature o…”

“I am always happy to make representations to colleagues within Government—of course, the Energy Minister is a fellow Scot, representing a Scottish constituency. I know this has been a matter of long-standing concern for the hon. Gentleman, and if he wants to write to me, I will make sure I take it up with the Energy Mi…”

“One of the regrettable aspects of the SNP-led Scottish Government’s record has been their failure to fully harness the capability of city regions and the economic contribution they can make. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland is in China along with Glasgow chamber of commerce and representatives f…”

“That was rather more like a party election broadcast than a question. As always, I would recommend the good voters of Aberdeen to vote Scottish Labour.”

“First, I am sure that every Scottish representative, whatever their political affiliation, will want to wish Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson and the boys the very best in Boston. [Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”] Let’s hope they don’t come home too soon. My hon. Friend raises a substantive and important point about island con…”

“The Government are harnessing the worldwide reach of our diplomatic and trade networks to boost Scottish exports and attract inward investment. We have already delivered deals with India and the United States. I was recently in New Zealand and Australia on a defence-focused visit, meeting with key investors and banging…”

“This Government are and remain committed to the successful delivery of the borderlands inclusive growth deal. In March, the UK and Scottish Governments approved a deal reset, which confirmed a more deliverable and affordable financial profile. The reset will boost the delivery of key projects such as the Chapelcross de…”

“Yes.”

“My hon. Friend brings long and valuable experience in both of Scotland’s Parliaments to her understanding of these issues. In 2014, there was an agreement across all parties and across civic society in Scotland that there should be a referendum. There is simply no such consensus today. This is not the time for the SNP’…”

“I apologise unreservedly for the unforgivable oversight of not beginning my contributions by wishing you a happy birthday, Mr Speaker. The borderlands growth deal is driving growth, which is why the UK and Scottish Governments have approved a strategic reset. I assure my hon. Friend that we will endeavour to take forwa…”

“Very good; I think the First Minister would probably bring the coffee with him, if he was willing to accept the invitation. The hon. Gentleman makes a serious point. I wrote to the First Minister congratulating him on his recent success and inviting him to meet, but no acceptance was forthcoming. That was exactly the s…”