Committee unanimously backs proxy voting for Holyrood

A Holyrood committee has unanimously called for proxy voting to be introduced in the Scottish Parliament.

Members of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee want to see a pilot scheme introduced – which would run until the end of next year.

The committee proposes allowing MSPs to appoint a proxy to vote for them in the event of illness, parental leave or bereavement.

Proxy voting is not currently permitted in the Scottish Parliament, with the committee report pointing out a “number of legislatures” across the world which have introduced such schemes.

With Holyrood currently only having informal pairing arrangements, the MSPs argued a proxy voting system “may provide more certainty”.

The committee has now called for a temporary rule to be passed – which would remain in place until December 31 2023 – to allow MSPs to arrange for their vote to be cast by another member acting as a proxy.

An MSP would only be able to vote for one or two other members as a proxy, “so that a large number of votes do not rest in the hands of a single or limited number of members,” the committee suggested.

If the Parliament agrees the temporary rule being brought in, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone would then be invited to develop a system for proxy voting and “provide clarity on the details of how the scheme will function”.

Committee convener Martin Whitfield stressed: “Our committee is unanimous in their support for the introduction of a proxy voting scheme.”

He added: “We think Scotland’s democracy and its people are best served by ensuring that MSPs can still cast their votes even if they are unable to participate in Parliamentary business due to the very human reasons of bereavement, illness or parental leave.

“We believe this is a positive, progressive step for the Parliament as we look to continue to evolve and to make the Parliament as accessible and inclusive as possible.”

Deputy convener Bob Doris stated: “As a Parliament it is vital that we continue to look at ways to modernise and to increase participation in democratic processes.

“The introduction of a proxy voting scheme will ensure that MSPs can represent their constituents whether on parental leave, suffering serious illness or bereavement.

“We will continue to review current working practices as we look to innovate and improve Parliamentary processes, and to shape a Parliament fit for the future.”