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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Richard Leonard

Scottish Labour

MSP for Central Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day

About Richard Leonard

Contact details

Contact online

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6465
Text relay calls welcome.

Committees

Richard is not a member of any committees

Cross-party groups

Richard is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Richard does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Richard does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Richard has had 4 previous roles

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

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Economy

Scottish Labour

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Jobs and Fair Work

Scottish Labour

18 November 2017 - 14 January 2021

Party Leader

Scottish Labour

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Economy

Scottish Labour

Register of interests

Richard'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 Richard Leonard 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.

Education (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2025

Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes."

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Public Audit Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

The Convener (Richard Leonard): "Good morning. I welcome everybody to the 21st meeting in 2025 of the Public Audit Committee. Agenda item 1 is for the committee to decide whether to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private. Do we agree to take those items in private…

“Scottish National Investment Bank”

Public Audit Committee meeting date: 25 June 2025

The Convener: "The second item on our agenda is further consideration of the Auditor General for Scotland’s report on the Scottish National Investment Bank. I am pleased to welcome our two witnesses…

Education (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Chamber meeting date: 24 June 2025

Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. My app would not work. I would have voted yes."

Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2025 and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts

Meeting of the Commission meeting date: 23 June 2025

Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab): "Good morning. I want to continue to look at your “year in figures” table and turn attention to the fees and expenses that are paid to external firms…

Votes

How Richard Leonard has voted in Parliament

Find out how Richard Leonard has voted recently.

Scottish Rate Resolution

Motion ref. 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 for

Agreed

Business Programme

Motion ref. S6M-20826.1

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

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 ref. 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 ref. 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 for

Agreed

Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports

Motion ref. 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 voted for

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Richard Leonard has asked

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

Question reference: S6W-44266

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish an enforcement powers working group for the (a) passenger ferry, (c) bus and tram and (c) taxi sector, similar to the rail enforcement powers working group that was established in 2025."

Question reference: S6W-44263

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government for what purpose Scottish Forestry has awarded grants to Jahama Highland Estates, which is part of the GFG Alliance group."

Question reference: S6W-44262

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the grants that Scottish Forestry has awarded to Jahama Highland Estates, which is part of the GFG Alliance group."

Question reference: S6W-44264

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and audit checks and (b) other risk assessments Scottish Forestry carries out of applicants for forestry grants."

Question reference: S6W-44385

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to the Prior Information Notice published on 4 March 2026, whether it plans to exercise powers under Regulation 29(8) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 to set a time limit on the receipt of tenders for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract."

Question reference: S6W-44382

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the names of candidate operators expressing interest in the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract before the invitation to tender is published in the fourth quarter of 2026."

Question reference: S6W-44383

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prepare a public sector bid for the the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract, which is due to start on 1 July 2028, in line with Regulation 29 (Restricted Procedure) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015."

Question reference: S6W-44384

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost to the public purse of delivering the full tender process for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract, and whether it anticipates to make savings through the use of the Restricted Procedure under Regulation 29 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015."

Question reference: S6W-44261

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of the rail enforcement powers working group that it explores the introduction of new primary legislation to create greater legal protections for rail workers, including what discussions have taken place between its Transport and Justice departments…

Question reference: S6O-05643

Asked by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour

Date lodged: 12 March 2026

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026

"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will reinstate the bust of Michael "Mick" McGahey previously displayed in the Garden Lobby."