Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 08 September 2020
08 Sep 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Decision Time
We are debating that option at the moment. Contrary to Neil Findlay’s point of order, the system is working. However, I recognise that there are issues that I agree are undermining confidence. I will suspend business until we work out what happened in that vote.
People missed votes for many reasons all the time under the old system. People in the chamber pressed the wrong button or did not put their cards in. They missed votes for lots of reasons and it happened often. Members might not be aware of that, but I assure you, from the chair, that I am aware of it. We are having difficulties with the new system, but many of the difficulties are not with the system—they are with us and our level of familiarity with it.
I am not going to defend the system now. I am going to make sure that our system is working and that you, Mr Russell, can have confidence in it.
I will suspend while we establish what happened in that vote, and I will get back to you in a few minutes.
17:36 Meeting suspended.In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
There are several questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S5M-22635.1, in the name of Jackson Carlaw, whi...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that amendment 22635.3, in the name of Neil Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S5M-22635, in the name of Jeane Freeman, on Baroness C...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We are not agreed. We will move to a division on the amendment, but we will first have a technical break to make sure that colleagues online are logged in to...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the vote on amendment S5M-22635.3, in the name of Neil Findlay, which seeks to amend the motion in the name of Jeane Freeman, on the Baroness Cumb...
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
I had some difficulties. I would have voted no.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That is noted. Margaret Mitchell, can you confirm whether you think you were able to vote, for the record?
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I was not able to vote. I would have voted yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I note both of those comments. I will now direct the clerks to change the vote to ensure that both of those votes are added before we announce the result. F...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the vote on amendment S5M-22635.3, in the name of Neil Findlay, is: For 57, Against 58, Abstentions 0. Amendment disagreed to.
John Scott (Ayr) (Con)
Con
Presiding Officer, according to my WhatsApp messages, Alison Harris was apparently unable to vote.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We have just recognised that this second, and we are addressing the issue.
Neil Findlay
Lab
Irrespective of the vote, the confidence in this voting system is ebbing away every single day we come here. When members have raised very legitimate points ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thanks for the point of order, Mr Findlay. Michael Russell also has a point of order, but I have not even addressed Mr Findlay’s.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell)
SNP
It pains me to say this, but I agree entirely with Neil Findlay. I have to make the point that I voted two weeks ago in divisions on a bill, and during each...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We are debating that option at the moment. Contrary to Neil Findlay’s point of order, the system is working. However, I recognise that there are issues that ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We need a thorough debrief of what happened in that vote to make sure that everybody, including me, has confidence that the vote was carried out effectively ...
Neil Findlay
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Can you say from the chair that the vote is now annulled and invalid and that we will retake the full vote? I would l...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am not deciding at the moment to run that vote again. That decision will be taken tomorrow.
Neil Findlay
Lab
You announced a decision. You declared numbers.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That is right. I will inform the chamber tomorrow, once we have had a thorough debrief, whether that result was valid. I am sorry, Mr Findlay. This kind of...
Neil Findlay
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Is it in order for me to move formally that that vote be annulled and that any further vote that is to be taken be ta...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
No, Mr Findlay, that is not in order. I have already given my decision that we will come back to the matter tomorrow. I will discuss it with the business man...
Neil Findlay
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
One more point, Mr Findlay.
Neil Findlay
Lab
I just want to be absolutely clear: do the standing orders of the Parliament say that a member is not allowed to move such a motion at this point?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am not accepting such a motion at this point, which is more to the point, Mr Findlay. Interruption. I am sorry, Mr Findlay, but I am in the chair and I hav...
Michael Russell
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I do not want to prolong this, but, while I accept that you clearly do not have to take a motion from Mr Findlay, I h...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I think that I addressed both of those points, Mr Russell, which is why we are going to return to the subject tomorrow. Not only will I share the information...
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I just point out that this confusion has come at the end of a very important debate that thousands of women will have...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am very conscious of that point, Mr Carlaw. I heard all of the debate. It was an extremely emotional debate as well as a powerful one, and the very fact th...