SCOTLAND SHOULD CONTROL SCOTTISH ELECTIONS.

SCOTLAND SHOULD CONTROL SCOTTISH ELECTIONS.

Scottish legislation to separate local and Scottish Parliament elections offers the UK a perfect opportunity to transfer responsibility for Scottish elections from Westminster to Holyrood.

SNP MSP Keith Brown, a former depute returning officer, has today urged the Scotland Office to use the publication of the Scottish Government’s bill on local elections as an opportunity to transfer powers over Scottish elections to the Scottish Parliament – as recommended by the Gould report into the 2007 election.

Speaking from Holyrood Mr Brown said;

“The Scottish Government is acting responsibly and taking forward the recommendations of the Gould report by separating local and Scottish elections to give voters the clarity they deserve and to give local elections greater prominence.

“Unfortunately UK Labour has yet to follow this lead and continues in its misguided belief that Scottish elections should be run from London.

“The quick action taken by the Scottish Government is welcome and I am sure councillors across the country will welcome this change.

“Unfortunately, despite the recommendation of Ron Gould and the support of the Scottish Parliament, for Scotland to take responsibility for its own elections the Scotland Office appears stubbornly determined to ignore Scottish voters.

“We all experienced the chaos London control caused in 2007. Now is the right time for Labour in London to face up to their responsibility and let Scotland have responsibility for Scotland’s elections.”