What is the Fair Trade Pledge?
Fair Trade has always been an important part of challenging global inequality and poverty. COVID-19 has exacerbated these inequalities, making Fair Trade more essential than ever before. The Fair Trade pledge is a way for MSPs to show their support for all actions which improve the livelihood of farmers and workers who produce many of the products which we consume everyday. This also involves supporting a fair economy and committing to tackle the climate emergency.
With the Scottish Parliament elections having taken place in May, there are 129 MSPs, some newly elected for the first time and others re-elected. Out of 129 MSPs elected, some had signed the Fair Trade pledge during the election campaign when they were candidates. It would now be great to see new and existing MSPs engage with Fair Trade principles and build a greater awareness of the importance of Fair Trade within the Scottish Parliament.
How do I get involved?
Campaigners
If you are a campaigner, you can find your local MSPs by entering your postcode here.
You can also find out whether or not your MSPs have signed the pledge by reviewing the list at the bottom of this page. If your MSPs have already signed the pledge, consider thanking them for this show of support. If your MSPs are yet to sign the pledge, please encourage them to pledge their support.
Below is a draft email which you could send to your MSPs:
Dear (insert name)
I am a Fair Trade supporter and a constituent in your region. I am writing to you to ask you to consider signing the Fair Trade pledge and, in your time as a MSP, commit to supporting all actions which will improve the livelihood of farmers and workers who produce many of the products which we consume everyday. Details of the pledge are below:
During my time in post as an MSP, I will:
- Take actions to promote Scotland’s Fair Trade Nation status
- Listen to the voices of producers in global supply chains, support actions to build back a fairer economy and tackle the climate emergency
- Support measures to increase the public procurement of Fair Trade products
If you are considering showing support please email the Scottish Fair Trade Forum at pledge@sftf.org.uk stating:
- a) your name,
b) your constituency/region,
c) your political party if you have one.
We can then add you to the list of signatories and send you graphics for showing your support on your social media.
MSPs
If you are a MSP, you can email pledge@sftf.org.uk to pledge your support. We can then add you to the list of signatories and send you graphics for showing your support on your social media.
Many thanks
Pledge Signatories
Browse the list to find your candidate
| Candidate name | Constituency/Region | Party | Pledge date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foysol Choudhury MBE | Lothian Region | Scottish Labour Party | 13/09/21 |
| Annabelle Ewing | Mid Scotland and Fife | Scottish National Party | 08/09/21 |
| Monica Lennon | Central Scotland | Scottish Labour Party | 08/09/21 |
| Stephen Kerr | Central Scotland | Scottish Conservatives | 08/09/21 |
| Jim Fairlie | Perthshire South and Kinross-shire | Scottish National Party | 27/08/21 |
| Willie Rennie | North East Fife | Scottish Liberal Democrats | 13/04/2021 |
| Nicola Sturgeon | Glasgow Southside | Scottish National Party | 19/04/2021 |
| Pam Duncan-Glancy | Glasgow | Scottish Labour Party | 21/04/2021 |
| Maggie Chapman | North East Scotland | Scottish Green Party | 21/04/2021 |
| Rona Mackay | Strathkelvin and Bearsden | Scottish National Party | 26/04/2021 |
| Anas Sarwar | Glasgow | Scottish Labour Party | 26/04/2021 |
| Mark Ruskell | Mid Scotland and Fife | Scottish Labour Party | 26/04/2021 |
| Katy Clark | West of Scotland | Scottish Labour Party | 26/04/2021 |
| Kenneth J Gibson | Cunninghame North | Scottish National Party | 07/05/2021 |
| Sarah Boyack | Lothian Region | Scottish Labour Party | 04/05/2021 |
| Neil Bibby | West of Scotland | Scottish Labour Party | 04/05/2021 |
| Colin Smyth | South Scotland Region | Scottish Labour Party | 04/05/2021 |
| Mark Griffin | Central Scotland | Scottish Labour Party | 04/05/2021 |
| Claire Baker | Mid Scotland and Fife | Scottish Labour Party | 04/05/2021 |
