Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-3964, in the name of Bruce Crawford, on the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill. I remind members ...

The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Bruce Crawford): SNP

I thank the Local Government and Communities Committee for its work in considering the bill and preparing the stage 1 report, and I thank those who gave evid...

Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): Lab

As the convener of the lead committee on the bill, I am pleased to be taking part in the debate. I thank all those who gave us written and oral evidence and ...

Bruce Crawford: SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Duncan McNeil: Lab

I ask the minister to respond when he sums up. Sorry—I am pressed for time. The costs of the bill have been a general concern for the committee throughout it...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

I have been informed that one speaker will not be taking part in the debate, so we are not quite as tight for time as we were. Nonetheless, we do not have a ...

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): Lab

I speak in support of the bill on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party. I thank the Local Government and Communities Committee for the report, and the ministe...

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): SNP

The member talks about accepting the independent Gould report, but why did the Labour and Liberal Executive, when it introduced the bill to couple the electi...

Andy Kerr: Lab

Because we thought that the bill that we introduced offered a better way in which to hold elections. It increased voter turnout, attention and participation ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan): SNP

I call Jim Tolson.

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): LD

This is a difficult—

David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con): Con

But—

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

Carry on, Mr Tolson.

Jim Tolson: LD

I did wonder, but the order of speakers is in your hands, Presiding Officer.This is a difficult debate, not because there will be much argument between the p...

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): Con

Will the member give way?

Jim Tolson: LD

I am sorry, but I am rather tight for time. I beg Mr Brown's pardon.Voter turnout was not the only concern that many people had over a decoupled election; th...

Bruce Crawford: SNP

Will Mr Tolson please give way?

Jim Tolson: LD

I am tight for time, but the minister will have a chance to respond when he sums up.

Bruce Crawford: SNP

I wish that he would give way—

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

Order. Mr Tolson, you should address the motion.

Jim Tolson: LD

Liberal Democrats have long fought for the autonomy of local government and for recognition of the importance and significance of governance at that level.Th...

Bruce Crawford: SNP

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. A moment ago, you ruled that the member should stick to the motion that is under debate. He is straying from that and...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

I take the point of order. I was going to tell the member that he must address the motion to agree the first principles of the bill and link his remarks to t...

Jim Tolson: LD

I will move on, if it is your wish that I do so.The Liberal Democrats will support the bill at stage 1 in today's vote. However, the Government must consider...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

Now—I am sure that it will have been worth waiting for—I call David McLetchie.

David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con): Con

Thank you, Presiding Officer. The voice of the righteous cannot be silenced for long in Scotland's Parliament."I told you so," is often a rather smug and sel...

Andy Kerr rose— Lab

David McLetchie: Con

Here comes the old regime.

Andy Kerr: Lab

Attacking the smugness of the new partnership in the Scottish Parliament between the Tories and the SNP.Does the member believe that every local councillor w...

David McLetchie: Con

In those days, the results of local elections were undoubtedly down to a mixture of the two—I fully acknowledge that—and we all know the consequences. That w...