Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2026 [Draft]
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 purpose of the proposals that we are considering tonight.
It is right to say that it is not envisaged that there will be many rounds of elections for the post of convener. Only a member of the party that holds the pen of convenership of the committee in question will be able to put themselves forward to be nominated, but their nomination will require the support of a member of another political party or a member who is not a member of a political party in the Parliament. If only one member is nominated and there are no objections, they would become convener. If there is an objection, a secret ballot would be held. In addition, it is proposed that,
“If more than one chair role is being considered in a single meeting, no member may be nominated for more than one role”.
The proposed new rules detail the manner in which votes would be cast at the election for the convener, which would depend on the number of candidates in the election. Under our proposals,
“Committee members can vote to recommend removal of a convener, but that removal only occurs if a motion is agreed by the Parliament.”
Should the proposed changes be agreed to, we have recommended that they be reviewed during the first half of session 7. Such a review should include consideration of the operation of the standing orders relating to temporary, deputy and acting conveners of committees. That would allow for consideration of the matter that Christine Grahame raised. [Interruption.]