SNP ACTS ON ELECTION REFORM - LOCAL GOVERNMENT RETURNED TO PROMINENCE

SNP ACTS ON ELECTION REFORM - LOCAL GOVERNMENT RETURNED TO PROMINENCE

LONDON LABOUR FOOT DRAGGING ON ELECTIONS EXPOSED BY CALMAN

Speaking on the day the Scottish Local Government Elections Bill is expected to pass SNP MSP Bob Doris welcomed the positive action of the Scottish Government to address the problems of 2007, but said that it was a missed opportunity for the London government as the transfer of responsibility for Scottish Parliamentary elections could have been devolved as well - as the Gould Report and the Scottish Parliament had called for and as the Calman Commission has just proposed.

Despite the recommendations of the previous Gould report and this week's Calman Commission report the Westminster Government refused to devolve such responsibilities.

Writing to Bob Doris in October the Scottish Secretary insisted the UK Government did not intend to allow the Scottish Parliament to legislate on Holyrood elections saying;

"We accepted that Committee's [Scottish Affairs] recommendation that there is no compelling case to change the present legislative arrangements for elections to the Scottish Parliament, and that remains our position."

Commenting Bob Doris said:

“The fact that the Scottish Parliament is today legislating on the proposals of the Gould report whilst the London Labour Government has refused to meet those obligations has been brought into focus by the recommendations of the Calman Commission that responsibility for Scottish Parliamentary elections should be devolved.

"The SNP Government has met its obligations by separating local and Scottish elections to give voters the clarity they deserve and to give local elections greater prominence, as we have also given them greater responsibility.

“In contrast UK Labour refuse to follow that lead and despite the well thought out recommendations of the Gould report and the support of the Scottish Parliament for a transfer of powers, has continued in their misguided belief that Scottish elections should be run from London.

“Now they have been shown to be behind the times and to have wasted valuable time by refusing to devolve responsibility for Scottish Parliamentary elections.

“We all experienced the chaos London control caused in the 2007 election. Today's legislation from the SNP Scottish Government is a step forward - it is a shame we have not been able to legislate to correct all of 2007's problems with the transfer of power over Holyrood elections to Scotland. Now was the perfect time for Labour in London to have faced up to their responsibilities and let Scotland have responsibility for Scotland’s elections. Instead they have been found wanting by their very own devolution commission.”