Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 June 2013
27 Jun 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill
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 passed. That includes the legislation to ban smoking in public places, the passing into law of minimum alcohol pricing, the abolition of tuition fees to remove the tax on learning, the far-reaching land reform legislation and the global-leading Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. I will also feel the same pride at decision time as I did when we held firm on issues such as section 28 or on the legislation on the use of dogs for the hunting of foxes.
This is another day when we will pass into law a bill that shows Scotland standing out from the crowd as a progressive and forward-looking nation—not necessarily unique or better than anyone else but, more important, prepared to do things our own way and to make a clear statement on our values and how we value our most important resource: our people. That is how important this piece of legislation is—it says to the young people of Scotland that we value them, that we recognise their contribution to society and that we also recognise that they deserve a say in one of the most important decisions this country will make in more than 300 years.
Disappointingly, as we have heard, there are those who say that young people are not ready to make such important decisions at the age of 16. Although I respect their viewpoint, I say to them that it was not 16 or 17-year-olds who have taken us into wars that have led to countless and needless deaths; it was not 16 or 17-year-olds who introduced legislation that has led to civil unrest in the streets; and it was not 16 or 17-year-olds who created a society where so many people live in poverty, which is incredible in this day and age.
This is another day when we will pass into law a bill that shows Scotland standing out from the crowd as a progressive and forward-looking nation—not necessarily unique or better than anyone else but, more important, prepared to do things our own way and to make a clear statement on our values and how we value our most important resource: our people. That is how important this piece of legislation is—it says to the young people of Scotland that we value them, that we recognise their contribution to society and that we also recognise that they deserve a say in one of the most important decisions this country will make in more than 300 years.
Disappointingly, as we have heard, there are those who say that young people are not ready to make such important decisions at the age of 16. Although I respect their viewpoint, I say to them that it was not 16 or 17-year-olds who have taken us into wars that have led to countless and needless deaths; it was not 16 or 17-year-olds who introduced legislation that has led to civil unrest in the streets; and it was not 16 or 17-year-olds who created a society where so many people live in poverty, which is incredible in this day and age.
In the same item of business
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...