Proposed cost of recalling badly-behaved MSPs defended as Bill scrutinised

The cost of proposals to allow constituents to recall badly-behaving MSPs have been defended, as Holyrood discussed a Member’s Bill on the issue.

Scottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson’s Bill would allow voters to kick politicians out of Holyrood under certain conditions.

Speaking to the Standards Committee as it scrutinised his Recall and Removal of Members Bill, he said it is “absurd” that Holyrood currently does not have a recall rule.

MPs sitting at Westminster can be recalled in some circumstances – in Scotland this happened most recently with Margaret Ferrier and triggered the October 2023 Rutherglen by-election.

He told the committee “attendance” means coming to the building in person and taking part in a committee or chamber session.

The Bill also introduces automatic disqualification of MSPs who are jailed for six months or more – reducing the sentencing limit from 12 months or more.

In addition, the Bill includes a mechanism that allows both constituency and regional voters to trigger a recall process if their MSP is found guilty of serious misconduct, or if their conduct in office is deemed unacceptable.

Similarly to the Westminster recall process, this would require a petition to reach 10% of the given constituency or region and would trigger a by-election.

This has led to concerns about the cost of a recall petition in one of the Scottish Parliament’s eight electoral regions – as these are larger than local constituencies.

Speaking to the Standards Committee on Thursday, Mr Simpson said the cross-party group could recommend suspending MSPs from Holyrood but currently there is no mechanism to remove them “no matter how bad their behaviour”.

He noted nothing can be done to remove MSPs who simply refuse to take part in any parliamentary business, saying “I just think that’s an absurd situation.”

Mr Simpson, a regional MSP for Central Scotland, said his Bill recognises “life is complicated” and some members may be unable to attend due to ill health.

Asked if an MSP who switches parties should be recalled, he said: “I know it’s controversial, I don’t think it’s a crime to switch parties. I’m personally not in favour of having a recall in that situation.”

Discussing the financial implications, Mr Simpson said he had sought to reduce costs by keeping the length of the regional recall petition to four weeks rather than six.

He said: “We do need a recall system in Scotland, and that will come at a cost.”