Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 04 February 2014
04 Feb 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill
Members will not be surprised to discover—if they do not know already—that I will vote with the minority at decision time tonight. However, I have no intention of dwelling on that, as I wish to talk about other things that have happened during the passage of the bill.
First, I highlight the respect that has existed between the two sides during the process. I draw attention in particular to the work of the committee under its convener. The committee was fairly evenly split, yet it conducted itself in a manner befitting the Parliament. In fact, the quality of the debate and of the evidence that we received from both sides is to be highly commended.
There have been one or two bad experiences. After the stage 1 debate, I, like many members of the Parliament, had some interesting emails and tweets. However, none of the more hostile correspondence that I received came from anyone who had a vested interest in the debate. I believe that those who took one side or the other in the debate have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner throughout.
I will say a little about those who were opposed to this change in the law. It is vital that both sides are heard during the legislative process, and it was therefore essential that, in a debate in which there was likely to be a majority position and a minority position in the Parliament, those on the minority side who came to give evidence felt that their views were taken seriously and treated with respect.
A number of us on the committee, and others in the Parliament, have worked hard to ensure that the minority view has been represented. I hope that those individuals and organisations feel that the Parliament has given them a fair crack of the whip. It is essential that both sides feel that they have been listened to, right to the very end of the process.
It is disappointing that none of the amendments—particularly those lodged by John Mason and Siobhan McMahon for consideration today—was accepted by the Parliament. I believe that, if some token had been given, those who take the alternative view might have felt engaged in the process right to the end. However, there has been significant involvement and buy-in throughout the process.
First, I highlight the respect that has existed between the two sides during the process. I draw attention in particular to the work of the committee under its convener. The committee was fairly evenly split, yet it conducted itself in a manner befitting the Parliament. In fact, the quality of the debate and of the evidence that we received from both sides is to be highly commended.
There have been one or two bad experiences. After the stage 1 debate, I, like many members of the Parliament, had some interesting emails and tweets. However, none of the more hostile correspondence that I received came from anyone who had a vested interest in the debate. I believe that those who took one side or the other in the debate have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner throughout.
I will say a little about those who were opposed to this change in the law. It is vital that both sides are heard during the legislative process, and it was therefore essential that, in a debate in which there was likely to be a majority position and a minority position in the Parliament, those on the minority side who came to give evidence felt that their views were taken seriously and treated with respect.
A number of us on the committee, and others in the Parliament, have worked hard to ensure that the minority view has been represented. I hope that those individuals and organisations feel that the Parliament has given them a fair crack of the whip. It is essential that both sides feel that they have been listened to, right to the very end of the process.
It is disappointing that none of the amendments—particularly those lodged by John Mason and Siobhan McMahon for consideration today—was accepted by the Parliament. I believe that, if some token had been given, those who take the alternative view might have felt engaged in the process right to the end. However, there has been significant involvement and buy-in throughout the process.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
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SNP
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
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Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
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Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Con)
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Jackson Carlaw
Con
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NPA
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Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Lab)
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Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
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John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
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Will the member accept that it should be the quality rather than the quantity that matters when it comes to amendments?
Alex Johnstone
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next speeches will be of five minutes.16:51
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
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Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
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Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
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Will the member give way?
Richard Lyle
SNP
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
You need to bring your remarks to a close.
Richard Lyle
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Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab)
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Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (SNP)
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
It will have to be brief, Ms Fabiani.
Linda Fabiani
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Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
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John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
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Jim Hume
LD
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John Mason
SNP
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Ind
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You need to make it brief.
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