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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
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Finlay Carson

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency)

About Finlay Carson

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @fincarson

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

Phone: 01556 504991
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

107 King Street
Castle Douglas
DG7 1LZ

Phone: 01556 504991
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Career as MSP

Career as MSP

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency)
05 May 2016 to present

Committees

Finlay Carson is not a member of any committees

Cross-party groups

Finlay Carson is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Finlay Carson does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Finlay Carson has 1 party role

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural & Environment

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Previous roles

Finlay Carson has had the following roles in Parliament

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

01 February 2023 to 08 April 2026

Convener

22 June 2021 to 08 April 2026

Conveners Group

Member

22 June 2021 to 01 February 2023

Convener

17 June 2021 to 22 June 2021

Member

11 August 2020 to 04 May 2021

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Natural Environment

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

11 August 2020 to 04 May 2021

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

17 September 2019 to 04 May 2021

Deputy Convener

18 February 2020 to 11 August 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Land Reform

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

18 February 2020 to 11 August 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

18 February 2020 to 11 August 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Climate Change

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

29 June 2017 to 25 February 2020

Substitute Member

18 September 2019 to 25 February 2020

Substitute Member

28 June 2017 to 18 February 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Biodiversity

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

28 June 2017 to 18 February 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Animal Welfare

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

28 June 2017 to 18 February 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Digital Economy

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

08 June 2016 to 17 September 2019

Member

26 May 2016 to 28 June 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Fisheries

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

26 May 2016 to 28 June 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Register of interests

Finlay Carson'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

Official Report

What Finlay Carson 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.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2024

Chamber meeting date: 9 June 2026

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of her statement. I welcome her to her post, and I look forward to once again working with her on her extensive portfolio…

Growing Scotland’s Economy

Chamber meeting date: 9 June 2026

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?"

National Health Service

Chamber meeting date: 3 June 2026

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I join other members in thanking NHS staff, including maternity services across rural communities, particularly in Galloway, where they are under pressure…

Oaths and Affirmations

Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2026

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I, Finlay Hamilton Carson, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."

Heating Oil Costs (Agriculture Sector and Rural Industries)

Chamber meeting date: 25 March 2026

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Members will be aware that it is snowing in some parts of Scotland, so heating is incredibly important…

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Scottish Rate Resolution

Motion reference: S6M-20844

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 19, 2026

Result 93 for, 29 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Business Programme

Motion reference: S6M-20826.1

Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 51 for, 71 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted for

Disagreed

Approval of SSI

Motion reference: S6M-20827

Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 112 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

A Just Transition Fund for Mossmorran

Motion reference: S6M-20820.2

Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 93 for, 28 against, 1 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports

Motion reference: S6M-20819.3

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Result 89 for, 7 against, 27 abstained, 6 did not vote

MSP abstained

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Finlay Carson has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S7W-02522

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has identified any priority schemes on the A75 and A77 that could be progressed before completion of the Corridor Action Plans."

Question reference: S7W-02521

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assurance it can provide that the Corridor Action Plans for the A75 and A77 will result in capital investment projects being progressed, rather than further review and assessment work."

Question reference: S7W-02517

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated for the commissioning and delivery of Corridor Action Plans for the A75 and A77, and from which budget line this expenditure will be met."

Question reference: S7W-02516

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects consultants to be appointed to develop Corridor Action Plans for the A75 and A77, and what timescale has been set for the completion of this work."

Question reference: S7W-02520

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to publishing a timetable for investment in, and delivery of, any recommended improvements identified in the A75 and A77 Corridor Action Plans, and, if so, when it anticipates publishing such a timetable."

Question reference: S7W-02519

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to engage with local communities, businesses, freight operators, ferry operators, elected representatives and other stakeholders in Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire during the development of the Corridor Action Plans for the A75 and A77."

Question reference: S7W-02518

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 18 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria will be used by the consultants developing the Corridor Action Plans to assess potential upgrades to the A75 and A77, including improvements to road safety, journey reliability, resilience and economic connectivity."

Question reference: S7W-02476

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 14 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 14 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Welsh Government regarding the travel and accommodation fund for children and young people with cancer that the Welsh Government has begun developing."

Question reference: S7W-02475

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 14 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 14 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government since May 2026 regarding the Travel Fund for children and young people with cancer that is due to be introduced in England from 2027, and whether patients ordinarily resident in Scotland who travel to England for specialist cancer treatment will be eligible to access…

Question reference: S7W-02478

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged: 14 August 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 14 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01758 by Angela Constance on 3 August 2026, what wider reform of access to healthcare the review of the Patient Travel Reimbursement Scheme guidance will form part of, and when it expects that work to conclude."