Scottish Green Party Debate: Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports

Gillian Mackay S6M-20819 That the Parliament strongly opposes the actions of the United States (US) under the leadership of Donald Trump; believes that, under Trump’s presidency, the US has become a rogue state that has shown contempt for Scottish and international law through its attack on Venezuela and Scottish waters and its threats to the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark; notes that two people were recently abducted from Scottish waters by the US military, in defiance of the Court of Session and live legal proceedings; understands that the US military currently uses Scottish Government owned Prestwick airport as a de-facto base, with US military flights landing at Prestwick over 560 times since 1 April 2025; agrees that Scotland must not be complicit in any illegal action by allowing the use of publicly owned assets by foreign military, and calls on the Scottish Government to evict US troops operating from Prestwick airport immediately and to instruct all airports owned by the Scottish Government through Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to deny access and use of their facilities to the US military. Further details available for S6M-20819 Angus Robertson S6M-20819.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-20819 in the name of Gillian Mackay (Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports), leave out from “strongly” to end and insert “supports Scots law, international law and the rules-based order; respects the future of Greenland as a matter for the people of Greenland and Denmark; is unwavering in its solidarity with and support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion; supports international sanctions against the Putin regime and the interdiction of its shadow fleet, and encourages the international community to secure a just peace acceptable to Ukraine.” Further details available for S6M-20819.3 Murdo Fraser S6M-20819.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-20819 in the name of Gillian Mackay (Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports), leave out from “strongly” to end and insert “reaffirms its clear support for NATO as the cornerstone of collective defence and the foundation of transatlantic security; recognises that NATO has preserved peace among its members for more than 75 years and that the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent, including the strategic capability of the United States, has underpinned strategic stability among NATO members and deterred direct conflict between major nuclear powers in Europe for eight decades; recognises the United States as a central and enduring partner in safeguarding European security and acknowledges its leadership in providing the air mobility, logistics, intelligence and deterrence capabilities on which the Alliance relies; notes that military aircraft from NATO allies, including those of the United States, routinely and lawfully use Scottish airports such as Glasgow Prestwick Airport for refuelling and transit; further notes that such activity supports jobs, brings revenue and contributes to the financial sustainability of publicly owned airport infrastructure; rejects calls to withdraw cooperation from the country’s closest allies; calls on the Scottish Government to continue facilitating appropriate access for NATO partners to Scottish airport facilities in support of collective defence, national security and the long-term resilience of Scotland’s aviation assets, and regrets that the Scottish Green Party has chosen to use parliamentary time to debate these matters instead of raising the many devolved issues that require immediate attention.” Further details available for S6M-20819.1 Neil Bibby S6M-20819.2 As an amendment to motion S6W-20819 in the name of Gillian Mackay (Ending US Military Use of Scottish Airports), leave out from “strongly” to end and insert “acknowledges that any use by other nations of Scottish infrastructure must be done in accordance with domestic and international law; welcomes the role that both Scotland and Prestwick airport have played in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion; recognises the importance of Scotland’s strategic assets in supporting international security; affirms its support for the UK’s place in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and welcomes the UK Government commitment to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP in an era of global instability.” Further details available for S6M-20819.2