Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 24 February 2021
24 Feb 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Prisoner Voting
My amendment rightly wipes out the offensive motion and replaces it with the facts of the matter. I hope that my amendment will be supported across the chamber today, perhaps even by those Scottish Conservatives—and there will be some—who recognise the shameful nature of what one of their leaders has forced them to bring here today.
I move amendment S5M-24205.1, to leave out from “believes” to end and insert:
“recognises that the extension of voting rights to some prisoners was introduced to comply with a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that a blanket ban on prisoner voting breached the European Convention on Human Rights; notes that, under the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020, passed with a two thirds majority on 20 February 2020, the franchise was extended to those serving a custodial sentence of 12 months or less, and that similar actions have been taken in other parts of the UK and widely across the world, and believes that it is for the Scottish Parliament to take the action that it considers necessary to comply with human rights obligations.”
15:07References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S5M-24205.1 Prisoner Voting Motion
In the same item of business
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We have a point of order from Jamie Halcro Johnston.
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
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Please draw your remarks to a close.
Michael Russell
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Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
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We now move to the open debate. I remind members that we are tight for time—there is a strict four minutes for speeches. 15:20
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