SERIOUS reform is needed in the Scottish Parliament because there aren’t enough MSPs to do the work necessary, a Holyrood committee has heard.
The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee was taking evidence as part of its final session in the inquiry into elected conveners at Holyrood.
Electing conveners was essential, the committee heard, to strengthen parliament and hold government to account. Those against the idea warned it could result MSPs acting on behalf of their party, rather than the parliament.
Speaking to The National after the meeting, Michael Russell, who was giving evidence, said there was a real danger that MSPs were spread too thinly. “We need to look very seriously at how we organise ourselves; there aren’t enough of us for the amount of work we have to do,” he said.
Electing conveners, he explained, will do two things. “One, it will start the process of reform. You’ve got to start somewhere. I think there’s been a bit of a hiatus in reforming the procedures of the Parliament.
“Secondly, the evidence from Westminster and elsewhere that has tried [to elect conveners] is that it strengthens the hands of the committees in the work they do in scrutinising legislation and other matters.”
Although all parties believe reform is necessary, not all are sold on the idea of elected chairs. As the SNP has a majority some other parties fear SNP MSPs will end up chairing all of the committees.
In his submission to the committee, Labour MSP Graeme Pearson said: “The problem with the idea of an election is that experience suggests that party loyalty will get in the way of a sensible outcome. No matter the government, I think there is merit in ensuring opposition party members be elected if not to all committees at least to the key committees dealing with the significant areas of public service and policy.”
The 17 committees in the Scottish Parliament meet weekly to scrutinise the Scottish Government, examine legislation and run inquiries.
Electing committee chairs was introduced into Westminster in 2010, and has, by all accounts, been met favourably. However, there are major differences between Westminster and and Holyrood, most notably in numbers. There are 650 MPs in the House of Commons and 129 MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.
Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick has long championed reform. Being elected by the parliament, she said, would give committee chairs the power they needed to hold government and ministers to account.
Committee members will discuss next week on whether to recommend the election of conveners to parliament. Their report will go in front of MSPs before the summer recess.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here