Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 January 2026
15 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
That concludes stage 3 consideration of amendments.
As members will be aware, the Presiding Officer is required under standing orders to decide whether or not, in her view, any provision of a bill relates to a protected subject matter—that is, whether it modifies the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections. In the Presiding Officer’s view, no provision of the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill relates to a protected subject matter. Therefore, the bill does not require a supermajority to be passed at stage 3.
I encourage members who are leaving the chamber before the next item of business to do so as quickly and quietly as possible.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings for the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to group 1, which is on intergovernmental co-operation on ticket touting. Amendment 1 is the only amendment in the group.
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
This is a wonderful Thursday afternoon on what is a momentous day, and a very happy day for many of us on this side of the chamber. We get to talk about foot...
The Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
I thank Stephen Kerr for his constructive and enthusiastic engagement following the amendments that he lodged during and before stage 2. We have met a couple...
Stephen Kerr
Con
At the risk of being repetitious, my amendment is not asking for Scottish ministers to report on anything other than the actions that they have taken to inte...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I do not want to go down the road of being repetitive either. We have been round the houses on this issue a couple times, including at stage 2. It is my int...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Stephen Kerr to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 1.
Stephen Kerr
Con
At no stage would I ever doubt the integrity of the minister in respect of his intentions, but the truth is that he will not be in his role when the moment c...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I will not be here.
Stephen Kerr
Con
Indeed, and I see the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, who is another one who will not be here. However, some of us do hope to be here. The...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The question is, that amendment 1 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There will be a division. As this is the first division at stage 3, I will suspend the meeting for around five minutes, to allow members to access the digita...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the vote on amendment 1, in the name of Stephen Kerr. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.
Collette Stevenson (East Kilbride) (SNP)
SNP
On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. There was a problem with my connection. I would have voted no.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Ms Stevenson. Your vote will be recorded. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The result of the division is: For 22, Against 87, Abstentions 0. Amendment 1 disagreed to. Section 22—Power to enter and search
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Group 2 is on enforcement powers. Amendment 2, in the name of Stephen Kerr, is grouped with amendment 3. 15:45
Stephen Kerr
Con
I am disappointed by the result of the vote on amendment 1, which I felt was a very reasonable amendment. Nevertheless, I will address amendments 2 and 3, wh...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
In developing the bill, we sought to take a proportionate approach to meeting the hosting requirements for Euro 2028. As drafted, the bill contains a number ...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Of course, I accept what the minister has said and the advice that he is acting on. We should be aware, with our eyes wide open, that the bill protects the c...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
That concludes stage 3 consideration of amendments. As members will be aware, the Presiding Officer is required under standing orders to decide whether or n...