Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2026 [Draft]
19 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Standing Order Rule Changes (Elected Conveners)
Christine Grahame’s intervention picks up on the workload that conveners have to take on. As an innocent, naive convener at the start of the session, I had not appreciated the phenomenal workload. I accepted that as I became experienced, because, as Christine Grahame says, a good convener can make for a very good committee.
A number of people who responded to our call for evidence suggested that there should be recompense to reflect that workload. However, after discussion, we thought that that was a step too far and was too challenging at this stage. The process of electing conveners would allow for such a discussion in the future if members wanted to pursue it.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21049, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committ...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
In these challenging times, we need to remember that the proposals for amendments to standing orders are about getting the next session of Parliament off to ...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I have been a convener four times. I have long campaigned not only for conveners to be elected but for them to receive responsibility pay for the role. That ...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
Christine Grahame’s intervention picks up on the workload that conveners have to take on. As an innocent, naive convener at the start of the session, I had n...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Does Martin Whitfield appreciate that, although we all expect the best from our parliamentarians, the proposed model might allow for majority-holding parties...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
We spent a great deal of time listening to evidence—not necessarily specifically about any award-winning convener but about the challenges of such a process ...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Martin Whitfield made a comparison with the election of deputy presiding officers. Will he confirm that he does not envisage more rounds of exhaustive ballot...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I am very grateful for that intervention, which gives me the opportunity to thank Emma Roddick for her service on my committee and to draw me back to the pur...
Christine Grahame
SNP
Will the member give way?
Martin Whitfield
Lab
If the intervention is very quick.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I will allow a brief intervention from Christine Grahame, but I encourage other members to settle down a bit.
Christine Grahame
SNP
This is a really stupid question, because I am really tired. I want to check something. Is it the case that, if we vote for the committee’s report, we will n...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I ask the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee to reinforce the point that members should always speak through the chair.
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I believe that the Deputy Presiding Officer is fully aware that the committee that will follow the present Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Comm...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The question on the motion will be put at decision time.