CALL FOR SCOTS PARLIAMENT ‘RESPECT’ OVER FIXED TERM DATE

CALL FOR SCOTS PARLIAMENT ‘RESPECT’ OVER FIXED TERM DATE

The SNP has called for the new coalition Government to avoid
scheduling the first fixed term general election on the same day as
elections for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in 2015.

Speaking during the Queen’s Speech debate today (Monday) on
constitutional and home affairs, SNP Westminster leader Angus
Robertson MP, also dismissed bogus arguments by the coalition for the
introduction of legislation setting a threshold of 55% for a vote of
confidence in the House of Commons, on the basis that the Scottish
Parliament has a 66% threshold.

The Conservative-Liberal Coalition Agreement, published on 12 May,
stated that the government would fix the date of the next general
election for the first Thursday of May 2015, but Mr Robertson has
pointed to recommendations which have already resulted in the
de-coupling of Scottish Parliament and local government elections in
Scotland.

Mr Robertson said:

“The introduction of fixed term elections for Westminster are a great
step forward, but it would be a real mistake to fix a date which
clashes with elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.
The Tories and Liberals promised a respect agenda and this is an early
test of that.

“Holyrood and local government elections have already been de-coupled
because of the obvious confusion caused for voters of multiple ballot
papers and voting systems on the same day.

“A four year fixed term would be one solution, and was indeed Liberal
Democrat policy. Five year terms are the exception rather than the
rule in most parliaments and the SNP will propose an amendment for a
four year term and expect all MPs to support it out of ‘respect’ for
the Scottish Parliament.”

Turning to claims by the coalition government justifying a change in
threshold for votes of confidence, Mr Robertson said:

“The coalition have partly justified there plans to introduce a 55%
threshold for a vote of confidence by pointing to the threshold in the
Scottish Parliament – but they are confusing two issues. In the
Scottish Parliament you only need a simple majority to form or bring
down a government. If no government can command 50% support amongst
voting MSPs within 28 days Parliament is dissolved. The 66% barrier
only exists to ensure there is time to allow a new government to be
formed if an old one collapses.”