Tag: Politics

Alison Johnstone elected as Holyrood Presiding Officer

Alison Johnstone MSP has been elected as the Scottish Parliament’s sixth Presiding Officer.  Ms Johnstone is the first Green MSP to be elected to the role.

In her acceptance speech the new Presiding Officer thanked her colleagues for electing her to the position in what she called an “opportunity and a privilege”.

She later added: “I am so proud to have been elected as the Parliament’s sixth Presiding Officer.

“This is an incredibly important time for the country and I want to ensure that the Parliament is a place of open debate but we do that in an environment of mutual tolerance and respect.

“The Parliament is such an important place for not just me, but for people across Scotland. This is our most diverse Parliament yet, but there is still more to do, and I want to make sure that the Parliament is representative of all the people it serves.

“There is no doubt that we face some major challenges ahead including the pandemic and of course climate change.  I want to ensure this Parliament and all its Members have the opportunity to work together to address these vital issues.”

The election took place following a secret ballot of newly elected Members. Ms Johnstone was the only nomination for the post.

Alison Johnstone was first elected to represent the Lothians Region in 2011, and was a Councillor on City of Edinburgh Council before her election as an MSP.

She is a qualified athletics coach and previously held the East of Scotland titles for the 800m and 1500m.

Edinburgh Green branch has  congratulated Alison Johnstone MSP on her election as the Scottish Parliament’s first Green Presiding Officer.

Although Alison will now have to suspend party affiliation for the parliamentary term, she will continue to represent people throughout Lothian and manage casework.

Her election comes on top of a record result for the Greens in both Scotland and Lothian last week and is a further sign of how central Green politics now is to Scottish political debate.

Newly-elected Green MSP for Lothian Lorna Slater said: “I congratulate Alison on her election, and I know that she will be an even-handed moderator as Parliament addresses the pressing challenges that Scotland faces over the next five years.

“As only the second woman Presiding Officer, Alison is also well-placed to break new ground in defining the role of a PO in this more diverse parliament. I am confident that she will use it to increase the reach of Parliament and make it even more welcoming for people of all backgrounds.

“With the COP26 global climate summit coming to Scotland later in the year it will be good to have someone with strong Green credentials representing our parliament. Throw into the mix the forthcoming independence referendum and it’s clearly going to be a challenging role at a challenging time.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack comments on the Queen’s Speech

Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland, comments on how the Queen’s Speech will deliver for Scotland as we Build Back Better from the pandemic.

“This is a Queen’s Speech which delivers for people in Scotland, and right across the United Kingdom, as we focus entirely on recovering our economy and our public services from the devastating effects of the Covid pandemic.

“The Prime Minister and the UK Government have been working tirelessly on the pandemic, putting in place an unprecedented level of financial support, and securing millions of vaccine doses for people in all parts of the country. At all times we have prioritised both lives and livelihoods.

“The UK Government will continue to lead our recovery from the pandemic, as we Build Back Better and level up opportunities right across the UK.

“We will continue to support top level R&D, encourage our businesses to innovate, and create vital new and green jobs. We will invest directly in Scotland’s communities, building on the success of our £1.5 billion City Deals programme with Freeports, better connectivity, and a new UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“And Scotland’s businesses will continue to benefit as, outside of the EU, we strike new trade deals around the world.”

Back to business at Holyrood

Newly elected MSPs are to be sworn in at Holyrood tomorrow (Thursday 13 May). The oath-taking and affirmations will be the first item of business in the new five-year session of the Scottish Parliament. 

Holyrood’s newly elected MSPs will then elect a new Presiding Officer for the Scottish Parliament. The election also takes place on the first day of parliamentary business for the Parliament’s sixth session.

Members must pledge their allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen before they can take part in any other parliamentary business at Holyrood. 

Leader of the largest party, Nicola Sturgeon, will be the first to be sworn in at 9.00am, followed by the other party leaders, and remaining MSPs in four groupings and in alphabetical order.  Outgoing Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh, will preside over the oath-taking proceedings.

Following the swearing in of MSPs, a Presiding Officer and two deputies must be elected before any other parliamentary business is progressed at Holyrood.

Once all MSPs are sworn in, the Presiding Officer will suspend the meeting of the Parliament until circa 2.10pm when the election of a new Presiding Officer will take place.

The first duty of the newly elected Presiding Officer will be to preside over the election of his/her two deputies. The election of two Deputy Presiding Officers will take place at 10.30am on Friday 14 May.

Mandatory voter ID will make it harder for millions of ordinary people to vote

Electoral Reform Society: Stop plans for Voter ID

The government have just announced in the Queen’s Speech that they will legislate to make it harder for millions of ordinary people to vote.

Demanding ID at the doors of every polling station is a solution in search of a problem. Voting is safe and secure in the UK, meaning this policy is just an unnecessary barrier to democratic participation. Ministers need to listen to these concerns and drop these costly plans.

URGENT: Sign and share today →

At a cost of up to £20m per election, mandatory ID is an expensive distraction and the wrong priority right now. These proposals should be dropped before they damage political equality in the UK.

3.5 million people lack photo ID in this country. These proposals will make it harder to vote for huge numbers of voters, locking ordinary people out of our democracy and unfairly discriminating against those who lack ID. 

Rather than inventing problems, the government should focus on the real issues in politics – including the nine million people missing from the electoral roll, and the glaring loopholes in our lobbying laws.

Groups representing millions of people – from homelessness charities, pensioners’ groups, LGBT+ campaigners and civil liberties activists – are sounding the alarm about these plans. 

Sign the petition and urge ministers to listen. 


Best wishes,
Willie Sullivan,
Senior Director,
Electoral Reform Society

Further easing of COVID restrictions in England confirmed

Nicola Sturgeon expected to announce lockdown easing in Scotland later today

  • Planned easements at Step 3 of the Roadmap to go ahead from 17 May in England
  • Infection rates and hospital admissions continue to decrease
  • Prime Minister praises efforts of the public but continues to urge caution

The Roadmap is on track and planned Step 3 easements will go ahead in England on 17 May, the Prime Minister has confirmed. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce further easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland later today.

The data shows that the government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions have been met. Infection rates are at their lowest level since September, while hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to decrease – with levels now similar to July last year.

Hospital admissions and cases of severe illness also remain in line with modelling provided by scientific experts for the Roadmap.

From the 17 May, the majority of the indoor and remaining outdoor economy can reopen, and gathering limits will increase indoors and outdoors. Guidance for close contact between friends and family will be updated, with people exercising their own personal judgement in line with the risks.

The Stay in the UK restriction will be lifted and people will be able to travel to green list countries, if they permit inbound travel.

The Prime Minister continued to urge caution. The aim of the Roadmap is to be cautious but irreversible and unlocking too fast, too soon, risks a resurgence of the virus.

The assessment to move to Step 3 was based on four tests:

  • The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
  • Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
  • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
  • Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

As set out in the Roadmap, 4 weeks is needed to fully understand the impact of each step. The Government also committed to provide a further weeks’ notice to businesses.

From Monday 17 May indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas.

Up to 6 people or 2 households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.

All remaining outdoor entertainment can reopen, such as outdoor cinemas and performances. Some larger events will be able to take place, including conferences, theatre and concert performances, and sports events. Restrictions on the number of attendees will remain as set out in the Roadmap.

Guidance on meeting family and friends will be updated. The public can make informed, personal decisions on close contact, such as hugging, with their friends and family. Close contact continues to carry a risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, and people must consider the risk to themselves and to others. COVID-secure rules remain for the workplace and businesses, such as in shops and hospitality.

The Transport Secretary has already confirmed that international travel can begin to safely reopen in England from 17 May, allowing people to go on foreign holidays to ‘green’ list countries.

Strict border control measures will remain in place, including pre-departure tests and a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival back in the UK.

Face coverings will no longer be needed in classrooms or for students in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges. Twice weekly home testing will remain to control infection rates.

All remaining university students will be eligible to return to in-person teaching and learning from May 17, and should get tested twice a week upon return.

Up to 30 people will now be able to attend weddings, receptions, and commemorative events including wakes, as well as standalone life-cycle events. These can take place outdoors or at any indoor Covid secure venue that is permitted to open. The number of people able to attend a funeral will be determined by the number that can be safely accommodated in the venue with social distancing in place.

30 people will be able to attend a support group or parent and child group. The limit will not apply to children under 5.

Organised adult sport and exercise classes can resume indoors and saunas and steam rooms may reopen.

Care homes residents will be able to have up to five named visitors, with two visitors able to attend at once provided they are tested and follow infection control measures. Residents will also have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return.

The successful vaccination rollout continues, with over 35 million people receiving at least one dose, and nearly 18 million receiving both doses. One quarter of all adults have now received the strongest protection available.

The latest data shows that the estimated reduction in symptomatic disease is 60% and hospitalisations 80% for one dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged 80 and over. Data published by PHE today estimates that for the over 80s, two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalisation by 93%.

Step 4 is due to take place in England no earlier than 21 June. Further detail on Step 4 will be set out at the end of the month.

Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement later today. She is expected to confirm that Scotland’s Covid rules will be relaxed further next week.

‘Scottish democracy is alive and well’

Local Government Information Unit comments on Holyrood results

KIM FELLOWS, Commissioning Editor, Local Government Information Unit Scotland, comments on the Holyrood elections:

The votes are counted and results declared for an unusual election following hot on the heels of an extraordinary year.

Local government has been at the heart of the response to the pandemic, working 24/7 for months and months. This year’s elections were a further example of how local government stepped up and delivered a safe election and protected democracy.

We must offer our thanks to staff that worked hard to deliver the results. Use of postal votes was at a record high and turnout in Scotland was also at a record high, leading some pundits to suggest that elements of this approach might be preserved. Also in Scotland, 16 year olds, refugees and asylum seekers were given the opportunity to vote, an inclusive approach.

SNP were declared as the winners with 64 seats out of a possible 129.  64 seats represents a workable majority for the SNP as from the remaining 65 seats a non voting presiding officer has to be elected.

This is a record fourth term and a strong showing for the ruling government.  In Wales, Labour recorded a record sixth win with 30 seats out of a possible 60, also a working majority.

This now confirms what many suggest, Scotland and Wales with their respective Parliament and Assembly represent different nations within the UK, nations with different political mandates. Boris Johnson is suggesting talks with his counterparts; I wonder what they will talk about?

The new Scottish Parliament with 64 SNP MSPs and a record 8 Green MSPs might look from the outside to be similar to the last one.

However, some facts for you to consider, SP21 has the highest number of women MSPs elected in its history at 45%, that increase is largely due to SNP 53%, Greens 63%, Labour 45%. 

As well as being more female, the MSPs are slightly younger. Also, voters returned women of colour and a permanent wheelchair user. These facts indicate a potential for Holyrood 2021 to be more representative of the people who voted for it and perhaps be more prepared to work together to deliver for Scotland.

It is always fascinating and a little amusing to watch and listen to London centric commentators describe the voting system for Scotland and Wales.

However, Krishnan Guru Murthy put it so well, “Judging the results by whether the SNP wins a majority seems rather a unionist prism.”

The Scottish Parliament system was designed to make getting a majority extremely difficult and that was a decision taken to encourage cross party, consensus political working to tackle the intractable policy issues faced by Scotland.

I know from personal experience that the delivery of a healthy school meals policy and legislation in the first Scottish Parliament was achieved by cross party consensus, not a single party majority. This was also the case for the smoking ban and more recently the groundbreaking period poverty private members bill.

Voters have spoken. The Alba project failed to gain a seat. George Galloway failed to gain a seat. These facts should not be forgotten when the London centric media try to comment on democracy and devolution in Scotland and Wales.

Scottish democracy is alive and well, the record turnout from people in Scotland has shown they are interested in who represents them and what their values are.

A number of councillors are now new MSPs and I have seen heartfelt pleas from colleagues to remember where they came from. In an election where local government barely got a mention, we at LGIU are waiting to hear what the new Scottish Government has planned. We will continue to bring you all the latest news.

After May 13th, when all MSPs take their pledges to the people of Scotland, we will want to know how the new government they put their trust in will deliver on the promises made and build a recovery for a fairer, just and inclusive Scotland.

First meeting of new parliament to take place on Thursday

The first meeting of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament will take place on Thursday 13 May.

Writing to party leaders following the weekend election count, the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Ken Macintosh, has announced that newly elected MSPs will be sworn in on Thursday 13 May. The elections for the Parliament’s new Presiding Officer will also take place that day.

The Presiding Officer has the power to set the date under the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Act 2021. In deciding on the date the Parliament will first sit, the Presiding Officer consulted with both the Electoral Commission and Electoral Management Board.

Further details of the Parliament’s first days will be issued early this week.

TEXT OF LETTER FROM PRESIDING OFFICER TO PARTY LEADERS

I am writing in relation to my role under Section 9 of the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Act 2021 to “fix the day on which the Parliament is first to meet after the poll for the 2021 election”.

Following consultation with the Electoral Commission and Electoral Management Board, as required under the Act, I am pleased to announce that I am now able to fix the date of the first meeting of Parliament as Thursday 13 May, when newly elected Members will be sworn in and elect a new Presiding Officer.

Colleagues can expect to receive further information on the arrangements for both items of business from the Parliamentary Business Team in the coming days.

This date will now be made public and announced in the Business Bulletin.

I understand that this is a time of mixed emotions and fortunes for your parties and candidates. I would however like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support and co-operation throughout the last session and to also pass on my best wishes for whatever the next five years hold for you and your parties and for the Parliament.

Edinburgh’s Scottish Parliament Election 2021 results

The Scottish Parliament Election results for Edinburgh’s six constituencies and the Lothian Region were finally confirmed at the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday evening.

The Members of Scottish Parliament for each constituency and the Lothian Region List results are listed in full below and full details of the results are on the city council’s election pages: 

Edinburgh results by constituency:

Edinburgh Central Constituency: Angus Robertson, Scottish National Party

Edinburgh Eastern Constituency: Ash Denham, Scottish National Party

Edinburgh Northern & Leith Constituency: Ben Macpherson, Scottish National Party

Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency: Gordon MacDonald, Scottish National Party

Edinburgh South Constituency:  Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour Party

Edinburgh Western Constituency: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Lothian Region List Results

(Based on votes from the nine Lothian Region constituencies: Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern & Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh Western, Midlothian North & Musselburgh, Almond Valley and Linlithgow).

Votes cast across region: 395,037. Turnout: 64.2%)

Candidate and Party

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green Party
Sue Webber, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour Party
Jeremy Balfour, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Foysol Choudhury Scottish Labour Party
Lorna Slater, Scottish Green Party.

(3 Conservative, 2 Greens and 2 Labour elected from Lothians list)

Returning Officer Andrew Kerr announced the results for Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western on Friday 7 May and the results for Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Pentlands and Edinburgh Northern and Leith as well as the list/Region vote were declared on Saturday 8 May. 

He said: “The 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election has felt very different from previous elections and it is down to the hard work of many Council staff, particularly the Election Team, that this election has run so smoothly in Edinburgh.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, along with Police Scotland, the candidates and their agents, who have cooperated throughout the process.

“It has been a huge undertaking this year as we’ve had to adapt, putting in extensive additional Covid-19 health and safety measures to help keep everyone involved safe.  I would also like to thank the public for turning out in record numbers to have their say, helping to ensure representative vote for the capital.”

This year more than 300 people worked at the election count at the Royal Highland Centre, while a further 900 worked during the day at the city’s 140 polling places. 

For further details of the results and the Scottish Parliament Election, please visit the Elections section of the Council website.

Johnson to Sturgeon: Let’s Talk

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited leaders of the UK’s devolved governments to a summit meeting to discuss joint working to ‘build back better’.

The invitation is a response to a remarkable Holyrood election result which saw the SNP come within one seat of outright victory. Despite just failing to secure an overall majority, the election of eight pro-independence Scottish Green MSPs ensures that a majority of MSPs will support a second independence referendum.

The PM is expected to telephone Nicola Sturgeon later today.

Holyrood Elections 2021: SNP’s Ash Denham doubles her majority in Edinburgh Eastern

SNP’s ASH DENHAM has retained Edinburgh Eastern with a significantly increased majority of over 10,000.

Ms Denham’s vote was 22658 and the turnout was 60.99%

RESULT

ASH DENHAM (SNP) 22 658

Bill Cook (Labour) 12 541

Graham Hutchison (Conservative) 5 970

Result in 2016:

ASH DENHAM (SNP) 16760; Kezia Dugdale (Lab) 11673; Conservatives 5700.

Majority was 5057.