Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 November 2019
28 Nov 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill: Stage 1
I do not know—that is the point that I am making. Those countries have that policy in place and we need to look at the evidence. I have not yet looked at that evidence, but I will do so as we progress with the bill. I hear members say that there is evidence; it is vital that we look at it, as reform is needed.
The central elements of the bill aside, voter registration and participation are still too low in Scotland. It is clear that we must do more to address that and I call on the Scottish Government to provide more details on how, aside from the positive elements of the bill, it will promote greater participation in elections across Scotland. Our democratic processes have been pushed to the very limits over the past few years and it has left many across the country even questioning democracy itself.
We must reaffirm faith in our democracy by strengthening it in any way that we can, and we must bring back the trust that has been lost by showing people that their choices are in their hands.
15:30In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-20049, in the name of Michael Russell, on the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill at s...
The Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations (Michael Russell)
SNP
At the outset, members might like to know that this is the first stage 1 debate on a bill that will require a supermajority to pass at its final stage. That ...
Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I understand that the cabinet secretary wishes to equate the franchise in Scotland with residency. He will equally understand that there is a tradition that ...
Michael Russell
SNP
I will not go into a dissertation on citizenship here. What I am talking about is whether, if someone is a member of a society and is resident in that societ...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Michael Russell
SNP
I will make my point first. As I said, I have considerable sympathy for the benefit of extending rights to people who have come to our country in the most ...
Mark Ruskell
Green
Has the cabinet secretary, or have his officials, considered whether asylum registration cards, which are a form of photo ID, could provide an adequate form ...
Michael Russell
SNP
As I have indicated to Mr Ruskell before—I do so again now—I am always open to ideas on the matter. One possibility might be to effect a change at a later da...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Does the cabinet secretary accept that, given the very small number of people that we would expect to be involved, it is a bit of a stretch to suggest that t...
Michael Russell
SNP
With respect, I think that it is different. In those circumstances, we would be giving the right to stand to someone who could in no sense be confident that ...
Adam Tomkins
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Michael Russell
SNP
I ask the member to allow me to make some progress. There were, of course, other views. Some people proposed a different sentence threshold or the complete ...
Adam Tomkins
Con
I do not disagree with the cabinet secretary at all when he says that the proposals in the bill are likely to fall within the margin of appreciation that is ...
Michael Russell
SNP
The UK Government has taken a much smaller step, but that step has not yet been challenged. As Adam Tomkins will know, as he is more experienced than I am in...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
As convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, it is my pleasure to speak on behalf of the committee. I thank all those who pro...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Would the member concede that the ECHR does not contain a specific right to vote?
Bill Kidd
SNP
I thank the member for that question. The bill seeks to comply with the ECHR by proposing that those serving sentences of 12 months or less should have the r...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I echo the convener’s comments—although we did not always agree, we had a very constructive discussion. First, as a member of the Standards, Procedures and...
Michael Russell
SNP
Will the member give way?
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
I would like to make a bit of progress. The wider point is that citizenship is a legal relationship that binds an individual with the state. It is not about...
Neil Findlay
Lab
I have to say that, given the policy agenda of Mr Cameron, he makes many people physically sick.
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
Can we have a bit more respect for members?
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
I thank the member for that extraordinarily helpful, positive and productive comment, which I will gloss over. Admittedly, a lifting of all restrictions is ...
Michael Russell
SNP
If the member wishes to talk about inconsistency, will he look at the decision in the rest of the UK, which means that any prisoner who is on temporary relea...
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
The point is that those people are not in prison, whereas the people who are to be given the vote under the bill are in prison. On the nature of offences, t...
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of the Labour Party. We commend the committee for its stage 1 report on the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Repre...
Adam Tomkins
Con
I will ask Alex Rowley the same question that I asked the cabinet secretary. I completely understand the argument that the franchise should be connected to r...
Alex Rowley
Lab
Neil Findlay has just said to me, “No taxation without representation.” People are paying their taxes and contributing while living in this country. The cabi...
Liam Kerr
Con
Is there any evidence from the countries that the member mentioned as having no such ban that there is an improvement in rehabilitation outcomes?
Alex Rowley
Lab
I do not know—that is the point that I am making. Those countries have that policy in place and we need to look at the evidence. I have not yet looked at tha...