Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 03 June 2020
03 Jun 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill
That is certainly the intention. Although we could not support Colin Smyth’s amendment earlier, I acknowledge how well intentioned it was.
I am pleased that we have at last been able to return to this important legislation following a delay caused by the Covid-19 crisis. During that delay of nearly three months, a small number of Scottish local government by-elections have been postponed.
I appreciate that the pandemic has also raised questions, at least in some quarters, about the arrangements for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. It is too early to make any decisions about next year and, in the midst of the pandemic, the public would be less than impressed by politicians appearing to be overly concerned with their own re-election 11 months from now.
However, I can tell the chamber that we are carefully monitoring the situation and beginning to explore options for the delivery of the election with returning officers and electoral registration officers through the Electoral Management Board for Scotland. That will inform any decisions—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-21891, in the name of Graeme Dey, on the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill. I call Graeme Dey to speak to ...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey)
SNP
I thank everyone who has engaged with the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill throughout its parliamentary passage. Many constructive contributions from all par...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I very much agree with those points. The Electoral Commission has told us that it is really keen that the legislation is in place six months before it is nee...
Graeme Dey
SNP
That is certainly the intention. Although we could not support Colin Smyth’s amendment earlier, I acknowledge how well intentioned it was. I am pleased that...
James Kelly (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I understand that the priority of the Government and everyone else is tackling issues around the pandemic. However, bearing in mind that the Electoral Commis...
Graeme Dey
SNP
The work that is going on now will inform any decisions that require to be made further down the line by the Parliament. However, to give some assurance on M...
Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I start with the important points that Sarah Boyack and James Kelly made to the minister. It is important that we all understand that, today, the Electoral C...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I too thank the clerks and all those who have given evidence to enable us to get a bill that, although it is not the longest, has important points that need ...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I will keep my comments on the bill relatively brief. However, as others have done, I thank the clerks and all those who gave evidence throughout the passage...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I thank the clerks, the committee, the officials and witnesses as well as the advisers for their work on the bill. The minister is right in what he has said ...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in the stage 3 debate as the passage of the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill nears its end. I, too, thank the bill team and the clerks ...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to participate in the stage 3 debate on the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill. The proposals in the bill make some sensible changes to the Scot...
James Kelly (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I rise to speak in favour of the bill, which Scottish Labour will support at decision time. As Mark Ruskell said, the bill is largely technical, but there a...
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
I do not want to sound too party political, but we should bear it in mind that, at the time, the United Kingdom Government had responsibility for elections i...
James Kelly
Lab
I do not think that that was a helpful intervention, to be honest. I will mention some of the other aspects of the bill. It is important that the provisions...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
As the convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, I have worked with colleagues over months on the shared goal of strengthening...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the closing speeches. 16:33
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I echo the words of the convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee and express my solidarity with all those who are protesting a...
Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
SNP
We’ll no be here.
Neil Findlay
Lab
Exactly. It is very important for Mr Lyle and me that that election happens on time. Some people might not want it to, but I hope that, in summing up, the mi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you very much, Mr Findlay. I must be feeling ill because I see that you and Richard Lyle agreed with each other. I will need to keep taking my pills. ...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
We have missed out on the opportunity to have a Findlay-Lyle pact, but maybe that is still to come. It is welcome to pick up the bill again for stage 3. I t...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I thank members for their contributions to the debate. Before I turn to some of the points that have been raised, I record my appreciation for the efforts of...
Richard Lyle
SNP
I welcome the fact that—as I hope is the case—the minister is about to announce that the situation with regard to candidates’ addresses is about to be review...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I indicated to the committee that I plan to make changes by secondary legislation to address those legitimate points. We will not face a council by-election ...
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
That concludes our stage 3 debate on the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill.