Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business this afternoon is a debate on motion S4M-15221, in the name of Joe FitzPatrick, on the Scottish Election...

The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Joe FitzPatrick) SNP

I am pleased to open this afternoon’s debate on the general principles of the Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill. The bill is very short and straightforward, an...

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (Ind) Ind

I take on board what is proposed in the bill, but would it not be simpler for the Government to introduce proposals to revert to elections every five years f...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

That is an interesting point and I will come to it later in my speech. I turn to the discussions that we had at stage 1 and the stage 1 report from the Stan...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I call Stewart Stevenson to speak on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. You have six minutes or thereby, Mr Stevenson. 1...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. I hope that the Minister for Parliamentary Business did not c...

Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

In opening for Scottish Labour, I say at the outset that we support the principles of the Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill, which outlines the dates for the S...

John Wilson Ind

Does the member accept that, in the previous session of Parliament, the Gould report recommended complete separation of local government and Scottish Parliam...

Mary Fee Lab

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 ...

Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I, too, offer my thanks to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee for its work in bringing forward the stage 1 report. Mr Stevenson off...

Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the chance to take part in this short debate and I express my thanks to committee members for such a succinct report. Members often highlight the f...

Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I am delighted to contribute to the debate, as I believe that this is an important issue for everyone in the chamber. The Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill wi...

Annabel Goldie Con

It is clear that the bill will gain broad support today. It is also important that it has COSLA’s approval, as the minister suggested to the committee that i...

James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to have the opportunity to close, on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, this afternoon’s stage 1 debate on the Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

I am making this intervention in a personal capacity and not as the convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. The member might...

James Kelly Lab

I take that point. The discussion is actually quite interesting. There were two general elections in 1974, so we have been here before. Annabel Goldie mad...

John Wilson Ind

Is Mr Kelly implying that the European Parliament elections and Westminster elections are less democratic because they involve five-year terms?

James Kelly Lab

No—I am certainly not saying that. I am saying that there is a case for four-year terms, just as there is a case for five-year terms. Five-year terms provide...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

I thank all members who took part in the debate for their contributions. The bill is incredibly short and there is clear consensus about what we should do no...