Meeting of the Parliament 07 January 2016
I absolutely acknowledge what the member says. I am merely raising the point that, in future, a situation might arise in which we decide to revisit that—who knows? I am merely saying that we should perhaps be open to that.
As we have heard, Dr Richard Simpson called for the Scottish elections to be held on the same day as the European elections. Although there is merit in that suggestion, the committee heard that it is not possible as a result of a clause in the Scotland Bill following the Smith commission recommendations. To a degree, holding more than one election on the same day provides the opportunity to increase turnout in an election that usually receives lower participation. I can understand Dr Richard Simpson’s thinking, as only 33.5 per cent of the Scottish electorate took part in the European elections in 2014, despite the increased attention on those elections as a result of the referendum campaign. The referendum then attracted a record 85 per cent turnout. In last year’s general election, the turnout was 71 per cent and, at the election in a few months, we can expect a turnout of anything from 65 per cent upwards.
As I said, the options of a three-year and five-year term both have merits. The most obvious advantage of a five-year term is that of avoiding a clash with the UK general election in 2020. A five-year term also provides stability for Government and for long-term strategic planning, and allows for parties to fully develop policy ideas. One academic to whom I spoke warned that the present system of elections almost every year means that parties are constantly either preparing for or running election campaigns, which leaves them with little time to spend on policy development, the real work of government or, indeed, the work of opposition.
The disadvantages of a five-year term include issues around accountability and there being fewer opportunities for the electorate to engage in holding the Government to account. If the same party was in government for two consecutive terms, that would result in 10 years instead of eight in government, as is the norm around the world.
With the bill containing two small provisions and no issues surrounding the timing of the next Scottish election following the election in May, I repeat that Scottish Labour fully supports the principles behind the bill and will support it throughout its parliamentary process.
14:50