REMOTE meetings of the Scottish Parliament should be allowed on a permanent basis, a group of MSPs has recommended.
The cross-party group, which has been looking into Holyrood’s response to coronavirus, said some of the changes should be adopted full-time.
The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee said remote voting, along with virtual or hybrid meetings where some MSPs join by video link, should be allowed to continue beyond the pandemic if necessary.
It also recommended creating a new rule which makes it easier to change the Parliament’s standing orders.
Committee convener Bill Kidd MSP said: “The pandemic had an immediate impact on the work of the Scottish Parliament, with huge changes to how we operate and conduct our business being made quickly.
“We should rightly reflect on the success of these in allowing all MSPs to not only contribute to debates but to scrutinise and vote on legislation. Something that has not happened in all legislatures.
“What has been clear to us during this inquiry, is that many of these changes need to become permanent to help ensure that Parliament is as resilient as possible for all future challenges.”
Deputy convener Patrick Harvie added: “There is little doubt that the world has changed dramatically in the course of less than a year.
“The changes that were introduced in the Parliament were done
initially out of necessity, but they have taught us that the Parliament must be ready to face future challenges and carry out its vital function of holding the Government to account.
“Something that is even more crucial in times of crisis.
“Our report today makes it clear that, not only do we think that some of these innovations should stay, but that in the next session of parliament work should be done to ensure that these procedures are as robust as possible as we move out of the pandemic, and beyond.”
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