Putting Citizens First: Boundaries, Voting and Representation in Scotland Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems
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Finance Committee
FINANCE COMMITTEE Tuesday 28 March 2006 Session 2 £5.00 Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2006. Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to the Licensing Division, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ Fax 01603 723000, which is administering the copyright on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Produced and published in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by Astron. CONTENTS Tuesday 28 March 2006 Col. SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE POLICY AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REVIEWS ....................................................... 3509 TOURIST BOARDS (SCOTLAND) BILL: FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM ................................................................ 3510 FINANCE COMMITTEE 10th Meeting 2006, Session 2 CONVENER *Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab) DEPU TY CONVENER *Mr John Sw inney (North Tayside) (SNP) COMMI TTEE MEMBERS Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab) Mr Andrew Arbuckle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD) *Mark Ballard (Lothians) (Green) *Derek Brow nlee (South of Scotland) (Con) *Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) *Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab) *Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab) COMMI TTEE SUBSTITU TES Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green) Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab) Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP) John Scott (Ayr) (Con) Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD) *attended THE FOLLOWING ALSO ATTENDED : Professor Arthur Midw inter (Adviser) CLERK TO THE COMMITTE E Susan Duffy SENIOR ASSISTANT CLERK Rosalind Wheeler ASSISTANT CLERK Kristin Mitchell LOC ATION Committee Room 5 3509 28 MARCH 2006 3510 Scottish Parliament able to suggest a consistency of purpose if we find some inconsistencies of approach, which might improve the quinquennial scrutiny process Finance Committee generally. We will write to the Executive as suggested. -
Inquiry Into Boundaries, Voting & Representation in Scotland
-2 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM No. -..-- L...... REPORT To: POLICY AND RESOURCES Subject: INQUIRY INTO BOUNDARIES, COMMITTEE VOTING AND REPRESENTATION IN SCOTLAND -CONSULTATION - THE ARBUTHNOTT COMMISSION From: DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION Date: 18 August 2005 Ref: JOHIJAFIIL 1. Purpose of Report 1.I The Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 8 February 2005 considered a report (1) outlining the remit of the Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems (the Arbuthnott Commission) set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland in July 2004; (2) ’ advising of a consultation received from the Commission inviting comments by 15 April 2005 on various matters in relation to boundaries and voting systems and (3) proposing that the MemberlOfficer Group on Local Governance prepare a detailed response for submission to the next meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee. 1.2 As a result, consideration was given to the consultation paper at the meeting of the MernbedOfficer Group held on 7 April 2005, at which time the Working Group formulated responses to the questions posed in the Commission’s consultation, those responses being as attached in Appendix 1 to this report. 1.3 The responses prepared by way of the Working Group were endorsed at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 19 April 2005. 2. Request for Meeting 2.1 In addition, the Policy and Resources Committee agreed in April that the MembedOfficer Working Group on Local Governance, representing the Council, should seek a meeting with representatives of the Arbuthnott Commission. 2.2 A response has now been received from the Commission dated 30 June 2005 and a copy is attached as Appendix 2 to this report. -
Evidence Submission to the Independent Review Into the 2007
Evidence submission to the Independent Review into the 2007 Scottish Elections from the Electoral Reform Society 1. Introduction The Electoral Reform Society welcomes this independent inquiry into the Scottish elections of 3 May 2007. We hope that the Inquiry will be able to throw light on: What went wrong in the conduct of these elections; What needs to be done to reduce the risk of the same problems arising in future elections; What other changes should be made to our electoral arrangements. Although in many ways the elections of 3 May were a step forwards for Scottish democracy, serious problems were nevertheless encountered. If with hindsight it is concluded that there were deficiencies in the planning and preparation for the elections, we hope the focus will be on the changes that need to be made before the next round of elections and not on the apportionment of blame. In our work in Scotland over the past year, we have not encountered a single person with responsibility for the elections not totally committed to making the elections a success and not entirely professional in their approach. The Society has already contributed materials to this Inquiry, including research notes on ballot rejection in: • Rejected ballots in UK General Elections • Rejected ballots in Welsh and Scottish elections • Rejected ballots in London elections. We draw on these in this submission, and attach copies of the research notes for ease of reference. We would be delighted to provide further copies of any other Society publications on request: many are available in both electronic format and as hard copies. -
Fact Sheet Msps with Dual Mandates 12 January 2016 Msps: Current Series
The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Parliament I nfor mation C entre l ogo Scottish Parliament Fact sheet MSPs with Dual Mandates 12 January 2016 MSPs: Current Series This fact sheet lists all Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who currently hold a dual mandate. It also lists the MSPs that held dual mandates in previous sessions. Dual mandate is the term used to describe those MSPs who, in addition to their seat in the Scottish Parliament, also hold a seat in either the House of Commons (MPs), House of Lords (Peers) or represent a ward in their local council (councillors). This fact sheet lists the name of the MSP, their party and the constituency or region that they represent in the Scottish Parliament. It also lists the area that they represent in the House of Commons or in local government or their title (if they are a peer). Finally, this document also provides information on the start and end dates of dual mandates. It should be noted that no MSP has held a dual mandate through also holding a seat in the European Parliament. Abbreviations used: C Constituency Con Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Green Scottish Green Party Lab Scottish Labour LD Scottish Liberal Democrats R Region SNP Scottish National Party Session 4 MSPs with Dual Mandates (5 May 2011 to date) MSPs who are also MPs Name of MSP Party MSP for MP for Additional Notes Alex Salmond1 SNP Aberdeenshire Gordon East (C) MSPs who are also Members of the House of Lords Name of MSP Party MSP for Title Additional Notes Annabel Goldie Con West Scotland (R) Baroness Goldie of Bishopton MSPs who are also Councillors Name of MSP Party MSP for Councillor for Notes Lesley Brennan2 Lab North East Scotland Dundee East End MSPs in Session 4 who were also Councillors Name of MSP Party MSP for Councillor for Notes Did not stand for re- election in George Adam SNP Paisley Paisley South 2012 local council election Did not stand for re- election in Clare Adamson SNP Central Scotland (R) Wishaw 2012 local council election 1 Alex Salmond was elected in the general election on 7 May 2015. -
The Sewel Convention: the Westminster Perspective
House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee The Sewel Convention: the Westminster perspective Fourth Report of Session 2005–06 Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence Ordered by The House of Commons to be printed 6 June 2006 HC 983 Published on 19 June 2006 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £13.50 The Scottish Affairs Committee The Scottish Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Scotland Office (including (i) relations with the Scottish Parliament and (ii) administration and expenditure of the office of the Advocate General for Scotland (but excluding individual cases and advice given within government by the Advocate General)). Current membership Mr Mohammad Sarwar MP (Labour, Glasgow Central) (Chairman) Danny Alexander MP, (Liberal Democrat, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey) Gordon Banks MP, (Labour, Ochil & South Perthshire) Ms Katy Clark MP, (Labour, North Ayrshire & Arran) Mr Ian Davidson MP, (Labour, Glasgow South West) Mr John MacDougall MP, (Labour, Glenrothes) Mr Jim McGovern MP, (Labour, Dundee West) Mr Angus MacNeil MP, (SNP, Na h-Eileanan An Iar) David Mundell MP, (Conservative, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) Mr Charles Walker MP, (Conservative, Broxbourne) Mr Ben Wallace MP, (Conservative, Lancaster & Wyre) Powers The committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publications The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. -
Future Electoral Arrangements for the Assembly
Future electoral arrangements for the Assembly June 2012 This research paper summarises the options and proposals contained in the UK Government’s Green Paper on changes to the electoral arrangements for the Assembly. It also provides background information and initial reactions to those proposals and provides an overview of the situation in Scotland where UK and Scottish parliamentary boundaries have been decoupled since 2004. The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales and holds the Welsh Government to account. The Research Service provides expert and impartial research and information to support Assembly Members and committees in fulfilling the scrutiny, legislative and representative functions of the National Assembly for Wales. Research Service briefings are compiled for the benefit of Assembly Members and their support staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. We welcome comments on our briefings; please post or email to the addresses below. An electronic version of this paper can be found on the National Assembly’s website at: www.assemblywales.org/research Further hard copies of this paper can be obtained from: Research Service National Assembly for Wales Cardi. Bay CF99 1NA Email: [email protected] Twitter: @NAWResearch © National Assembly for Wales Commission Copyright 2012 The text of this document may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading or derogatory context. -
Meeting of the Parliament
MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENT Wednesday 23 March 2005 Session 2 £5.00 Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2005. Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to the Licensing Division, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ Fax 01603 723000, which is administering the copyright on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Produced and published in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by Astron. CONTENTS Wednesday 23 March 2005 Debates Col. TIME FOR REFLECTION .................................................................................................................................. 15593 ENTERPRISE CULTURE .................................................................................................................................. 15595 The Deputy Minister for Education and Young People (Euan Robson) .................................................. 15595 Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) ............................................................................................. 15600 Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) ........................................................................................... 15604 Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab) ........................................................................................................... 15608 Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP) ....................................................................................... 15611 -
The Arbuthnott Report and Scottish Elections
The Arbuthnott report and Scottish elections Standard Note: SN/PC/03918 Last updated: 21 May 2007 Author: Isobel White Parliament and Constitution Centre The Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems was established to look into the consequences of having four different voting systems in Scotland, and different boundaries between Westminster and Holyrood. The Commission was chaired by Sir John Arbuthnott and published its report on 19 January 2006. This Note examines the Commission’s recommendations and subsequent consideration of the report by the House of Commons. Details of the Government’s response to the report are also given. Local elections and Scottish Parliament elections were held on 3 May 2007 and there have been reports of large numbers of spoiled ballot papers; the final sections of the Note give a brief review of the press reports about the elections and explain the procedure for challenging an election in Scotland. Contents A. Background 3 B. The Report 4 1. Boundaries 5 2. Voting 6 3. Representation 9 4. Reaction to the report 10 C. Consideration of the report by the Scottish Affairs Committee 12 D. Westminster Hall debate on the report on 20 July 2006 14 E. The Government’s response to the Arbuthnott report 17 F. The Scottish Executive’s response to the Arbuthnott report 19 G. Local and Scottish Parliament elections on 3 May 2007 21 1. Statement by the Secretary of State for Scotland 23 2. Electoral Commission review of the Scottish elections 25 H. Election petitions 26 Standard Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of Parliament and their personal staff. -
Annual Report 2005
Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General for Scotland Annual Report 2005 This is part of a series of departmental reports which, along with the Main Estimates, the document Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 2005, and the Supply Estimates 2005-06: Supplementary Budgetary Information, present the Government's expenditure plans for 2005-2008. If you have any general comments or queries about this report, please forward them to Ian Allen, Head of Business Support at the Scotland Office, 1 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7HW (Tel: 0131-244-9050 or e-mail at [email protected]. Further information can also be obtained at our website: www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk. Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General for Scotland Annual Report 2005 Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Scotland and by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Command of Her Majesty June 2005 Cm 6544 Edinburgh: The Stationery Office £14.00 Crown Copyright 2004 The text in this document (excluding the Royal Arms and departmental logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the title of the document specified. Any enquiries relating to the copyright in this document should be addressed to The Licensing Division, HMSO, St Clements House 2-16 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ. Fax: 01603 723000 or e-mail: [email protected] Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General for Scotland Annual Report 2005 and Office Scotland Office 0 10 165442 1 ii Contents Page Foreword by the Secretary of State for Scotland v 1. -
Official Report to Be Forwarded to Them Should Give Notice at the Document Supply Centre
BAIRD TRUST REORGANISATION BILL COMMITTEE Tuesday 26 April 2005 Session 2 £5.00 Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2005. Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to the Licensing Division, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ Fax 01603 723000, which is administering the copyright on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Produced and published in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by Astron. CONTENTS Tuesday 26 April 2005 Col. INTERESTS............................................................................................................................................................ 1 CONVENER ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 DEPUTY CONVENER .............................................................................................................................................. 2 ITEM IN PRIVATE ................................................................................................................................................... 2 BAIRD TRUST REORGANISATION BILL COMMITTEE 1st Meeting 2005, Session 2 OLDEST COMMITTEE MEMBER *Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab) COMMITTEE MEMBERS *Mr Andrew Arbuckle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD) *Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab) *Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con) *Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP) *attended CLERK -
Counting Votes: Essays on Electoral Reform
Copyright ©2016 by the Fraser Institute. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permis- sion except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. As the researchers have worked independently, the views and conclusions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of the Board of Direc- tors of the Fraser Institute, the staff, or supporters. Date of issue: October 2016. Printed and bound in Canada. Cover design and artwork: Bart Allen Fraser Institute d www.fraserinstitute.org Counting Votes: Essays on Electoral Reform Lydia Miljan, editor FRASER I N S T I T U T E Fraser Institute d www.fraserinstitute.org Contents Preface ............................................... i Chapter 1: First-Past-the-Post: Empowered Voters, Accountable Government John Pepall ...................................... 1 Chapter 2: Electoral Rules and Fiscal Policy Outcomes Jason Clemens, Taylor Jackson, Steve LaFleur, and Joel Emes ...................................... 21 Chapter 3: The Consequences of the Alternative Vote Lydia Miljan and Taylor Jackson .................... 45 Chapter 4: The Imperative of a Referendum Patrice Dutil ........................................ 81 Publishing information .................... 104 Purpose, funding, and independence ....... 105 About the Fraser Institute .................. 105 Editorial Advisory Board ................... 106 www.fraserinstitute.org d Fraser Institute Preface In its December Speech from the Throne, Justin Trudeau’s government reaffirmed the Liberal party’s campaign promise that 2015 would be the last election held under first-past-the-post (FPTP). While the government has no preference as to what should replace the 150-year-old FPTP system, it has ruled out holding a referendum to help guide the choice. -
The Best of Both Worlds? MMP Electoral Reform and Constitutional Development in Scotland and Wales Jonathan Bradbury
© New Zealand Centre for Public Law and contributors Faculty of Law Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600 Wellington New Zealand June 2009 The mode of citation of this journal is: (2009) 7 NZJPIL (page) The previous issue of this journal is volume 6 number 2, December 2008 ISSN 11763930 Printed by Geon, Brebner Print, Palmerston North Cover photo: Robert Cross, VUW ITS Image Services CONTENTS SPECIAL CONFERENCE ISSUE: MMP AND THE CONSTITUTION Foreword Dean R Knight...........................................................................................................................vii "Who's the Boss?": Executive–Legislature Relations in New Zealand under MMP Ryan Malone............................................................................................................................... 1 The Legal Status of Political Parties under MMP Andrew Geddis.......................................................................................................................... 21 Experiments in Executive Government under MMP in New Zealand: Contrasting Approaches to MultiParty Governance Jonathan Boston and David Bullock........................................................................................... 39 MMP, Minority Governments and Parliamentary Opposition André Kaiser............................................................................................................................. 77 Public Attitudes towards MMP and Coalition Government Raymond Miller and Jack Vowles..............................................................................................