About Me

Pauline McNeill Biography photo with Arthur's Seat background

MSP for Glasgow Kelvin

I was first elected as the MSP for Glasgow Kelvin in the inaugural Scottish Parliament election
in 1999 and was re-elected in both 2003 and 2007. During the first parliamentary session I served
as Vice-Chair of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Group before becoming Convener of the
Justice 1 Committee and later the Justice 2 Committee.

As Convener of the Justice Committee, I led parliamentary scrutiny of some of the Parliament's
most significant legislation, including the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, Civil Partnership Act
2004, Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006, Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006, and legislation securing compensation rights for families affected by mesothelioma. I also led the Parliament's first inquiry into the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and oversaw reforms to Scotland's High Court system. In recognition of my work supporting LGBT equality, I received Equality Network's "Friend for Life" Award in 2005.

Following the 2007 election, I served on Labour's front bench as spokesperson for Children and Early Years, Justice, Europe and External Relations, Culture and Constitutional Affairs.

MSP for Glasgow

After returning to the Scottish Parliament as a Glasgow Regional MSP in 2016, I became Deputy Convener of the Social Security Committee and served on the Local Government and Communities Committee and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. I have since held several senior frontbench roles, including Shadow Spokesperson for Housing, Communities, Local Government, Equalities and Social Security, before becoming Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice. I currently serve on the Criminal Justice Committee.

Throughout my time representing Glasgow, I have championed fairer housing, stronger tenant protections and action to tackle poverty. I introduced the Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill, campaigned for a Tenant Hardship Fund and protections against evictions, and successfully secured amendments to strengthen the Child Poverty Act by increasing support for lone-parent families and families with disabled children. During the COVID-19 pandemic I also secured changes to legislation requiring reviews of domestic abuse data to ensure victims were not overlooked.

Locally, I have campaigned for better regulation of Glasgow's bus services, improvements to the Subway, increased affordable and social housing, stronger community safety measures, the restoration of Kelvingrove Park Bandstand, Fairtrade status for Glasgow, and investment in local sports facilities. I have also led campaigns to protect children's health services at Yorkhill Hospital and have consistently spoken up for asylum seekers, refugees and migrant communities across Glasgow.

Early Career

I began my career in the trade union movement, serving as President of the National Union of Students Scotland between 1986 and 1988 before becoming an organiser with GMB Scotland. In that role, I represented NHS staff, factory workers and hospitality employees, building a reputation as a determined advocate for working people.

A lifelong member of the Labour Party, I have also played an active role in the campaign for Scottish devolution, serving on the executive committee of the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly throughout the 1980s and 1990s and helping make the case for a Scottish Parliament.