‘Fundamental Issues’ must be addressed in MSP recall bill

The report follows the committee’s consideration of the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill. The bill, introduced by Graham Simpson MSP, would introduce a process by which an MSP could lose their seat through a recall petition. 

While the committee recommends the Scottish Parliament agrees the general principles of the bill, the report sets out a number of areas for reconsideration to ensure the process works within Holyrood’s electoral system. These include consideration of the complexity and costs associated with the recall of regional MSPs, and some of the practical arrangements of holding recall petitions to ensure all those eligible to sign can do so. 

The bill also proposes new grounds for the automatic removal of MSPs, either on criminal offence grounds or when a member has not attended the Parliament in person for 180 days without a reasonable explanation. 

The committee is not persuaded that MSPs should be removed for not physically attending the Parliament and invites Mr Simpson to reconsider this element of the bill.  

Speaking as the report was published, committee convener Martin Whitfield MSP said: “We have heard that at its heart, this bill has the integrity of the democratic process and the aim of improving accountability. 

“Whilst this is clearly to be welcomed, there are some fundamental changes which need to be made for the bill to achieve this aim. 

“The recall process suggested within the bill builds on the now well-established process at Westminster. But as we heard time and again, the two electoral systems are not the same and it is clear to us that there needs to be further thought given to how regional recall will work.”

He continued: “The proposals within the bill in relation to removal of MSPs fail to take into account the fact that we operate as a hybrid Parliament.  

“With this in mind, we are simply not persuaded that requiring physical attendance is the correct basis for removal of MSPs and this must be rectified during any further consideration of the bill.”