Call to hold hustings to elect Holyrood's presiding officer as names mooted for the post
Tory MSP Stephen Kerr had previously raised concerns about the election of Holyrood’s presiding officer and is now calling for hustings to elect the office
A senior Conservative MSP has again issued a call for the democratic election of Holyrood’s presiding officer.
Stephen Kerr’s intervention comes as names are being floated for the MSP most likely to take over from incumbent Alison Johnstone.
It is thought the new PO will be appointed from among the SNP or Lib Dems group at Holyrood, but there are whispers of Scottish Greens names.
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Mr Kerr, alongside the SNP’s Kenneth Gibson and Labour’s Paul Sweeney, previously called the PO role a “stitch up”.
They called for candidates for the role to declare themselves publicly in advance, publish a clear prospectus, give speeches and take part in hustings.
In a letter to Ms Johnstone, Mr Kerr sets out that the office has “very considerable authority” over the “operation, culture and scrutiny functions” of the Scottish parliament.
Under the current system, there is no means for politicians to scrutinise potential candidates before the presiding officer is chosen.
Mr Kerr believes a new procedure is vital given the high number of new MSPs joining during the new Holyrood term.
“Many newly elected MSPs entering Parliament for the first time will have little or no familiarity with those who may put themselves forward for these positions,” he said.
“The transition from viewing someone as a political opponent to understanding them as a parliamentary colleague capable of occupying a constitutional office is not always immediate. Without any meaningful opportunity to hear from candidates directly, there is a risk that decisions are made on the basis of narrow party considerations or informal recommendation rather than informed judgement about suitability for office.”
He added the current system is not a “healthy basis” for electing “one of the most important constitutional officeholders in Scotland”.
A Scottish parliament spokeswoman previously said candidates for the role of presiding officer are nominated by MSPs and elected through a secret ballot in a process governed by the Parliament’s Standing Orders.
Any change to the process would have to be agreed by a vote in parliament.
Liam McArthur and Willie Rennie, both Liberal Democrat MSPs, have both been suggested as popular candidates for the role.
However, it is thought the party would be loathe to relinquish Mr McArthur, who was deputy presiding officer in the last parliamentary term, as the MSP for Orkney is the Lib Dem’s only influence in that area of Scotland.
It is seen as unlikely that a Scottish Greens candidate would be put forward given that Ms Johnstone was a Greens MSP.
However, Maggie Chapman and former deputy leader Patrick Harvie have both been mentioned.
Of the SNP, insiders say Stuart McMillan, Clare Haughey, Clare Adamson or Kenneth Gibson.
Mr Kerr said: “The individual elected will shape the tone, authority and effectiveness of parliament for the duration of an entire parliamentary session.
“The Presiding Officer is not simply someone who keeps order in the chamber.
“The office carries significant influence over whether scrutiny is robust or merely performative, whether backbench voices are properly heard, and whether ministers are tested and held to account effectively.”
He is calling for the parliament to introduce hustings prior to the vote for the office or for candidates to address the chamber with a pitch for the role.
A Scottish Parliament spokesman said the MSP induction programme will include briefing sessions on the role of the Presiding Officer, their deputies, and how they are elected.
“While Holyrood does not have formal hustings, there will be opportunities for all candidates to make their case during scheduled events on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s secret ballot,” he added.
Rooms in Holyrood will be provided for candidates to make their pitch to other MSPs.
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