Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07109, in the name of Nicola Sturgeon, on the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill.15:40

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities (Nicola Sturgeon) SNP

I am very pleased to open the stage 3 debate on the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill and to fulfil the Scottish Government’s commitment to e...

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab) Lab

As Parliament knows, this bill has been subject to an expedited process, so that the electoral registration canvass can begin in the autumn. It has been poss...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

You should be drawing to a close now, please.

Patricia Ferguson Lab

We may take a different view from the Government on what would be a desired outcome from next year’s referendum, but we agree that young people should be abl...

Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con) Con

Today represents the final stage of phase 1 of an important legislative process that will culminate in the referendum on 18 September next year. I echo Patri...

Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

On many occasions since the establishment of this Parliament in 1999, I have been very proud of what we have achieved through the legislation that we have pa...

Annabel Goldie Con

Will the member give way?

Bruce Crawford SNP

I am sorry, but I only have three minutes.Those decisions were taken and their outcomes created by mature and supposedly wise and experienced adults. Those o...

John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab

When I spoke in the stage 1 debate on the bill, I was supportive of its general principles but not without some reservations. In many ways, little has change...

Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP) SNP

This is truly a momentous day. Irrespective of which side of the debate members are campaigning for, at decision time they will shatter the ceiling placed on...

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

The passing of the bill today will finalise two major decisions. One represents a progressive change for the future. The other reflects illiberal entrenchmen...

Annabelle Ewing (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to have been called to speak in the debate on the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill. I am a member of the Referendum (Scotland) ...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

I echo the thanks of my fellow committee members to our clerks and witnesses and to everyone else who contributed to the process.I am naturally disappointed ...

Annabel Goldie Con

I hope that this debate—I am pleased to have played a role in stimulating some sort of debate—has disturbed part of the consensus. What I said was intended n...

James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Lab) Lab

I echo the comments of Annabelle Ewing and others in support of the clerks and all who have worked on the bill to get it to the stage at which it will be pas...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I was advising the cabinet secretary of how long she might have to speak. You have another 30 seconds or thereby.

James Kelly Lab

Okay—30 seconds or thereabouts.To sum up, I reassure the Deputy First Minister that we support the bill and its provisions in relation to prisoners voting. I...

Nicola Sturgeon SNP

I thank all members who have taken part in the debate.I begin by highlighting a few issues of process that have been raised. Patricia Ferguson rightly acknow...

Patricia Ferguson Lab

Will Nicola Sturgeon take an intervention?

Nicola Sturgeon SNP

I was going to move on to a consensual point, but I will take the intervention.

Patricia Ferguson Lab

I do not want to break the consensus either, but I make the point to the Deputy First Minister that the reason why we are so keen to find out a bit more abou...

Nicola Sturgeon SNP

The Government always does its homework, and on this issue—perhaps more than on many others—the legal position is clear. A legal challenge would be very unli...