Reformation of Cross Party Group on ME in the Scottish Parliament

June 16, 2011


Following the Scottish General Election last month which thrust the Scottish National Party into power, MSPs agreed yesterday on the reformation of Cross Party Group on ME – with newly elected Labour member Mary Fee (West Scotland) as convenor for the life of this parliament and Jim Eadie (SNP, Edinburgh South) taking on the role of vice-convenor.

Mary Fee proposed that the committee meet early in September after the summer recess with full group meeting to follow soon after.

It was hoped that Siobhan McMahon (Lab, Central Scotland) would agree to be a vice-convenor. Action for ME staff member Susan Webster was confirmed as group secretary. Other MSPs who attended or sent representatives included Marco Biagi (SNP, Edinburgh Central) and Elaine Murray (Labour, Dumfries). It is hoped that a Liberal Democrat member can also be recruited to ensure that the CPG is fully representative.

There were apologies from several previous MSP members of the group for not being able to attend the meeting. It is expected they will sign up to the reformed group.

The meeting was called by former Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alex Fergusson (Con, Galloway and West Dumfries), who served as group convenor several years ago.

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