Scottish Parliament, 11 May 2011

9 contributions from 7 members. The official report.

Oaths and Affirmations

Alex Fergusson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

I will now call each member in turn. When a member is called, they should proceed to the well of the chamber where they will take the oath or make an affirmation.

I call Alex Salmond, Aberdeenshire West.

Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)

The Scottish National Party’s primary loyalty is to the people of Scotland, in line with the Scottish constitutional tradition of the sovereignty of the people.

Neil Findlay (Labour, Lothian)

Before taking the oath, I state that I believe that the people of Scotland should be citizens, not subjects and that I hold firmly that my allegiance should first and foremost be to them. However, I recognise that to serve my constituents in the Parliament I must meet the legal requirement of taking the oath and will therefore do so.

Alison Johnstone (Green, Lothian)

I, Alison Johnstone, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Her heirs and successors, according to Law.

Hanzala Malik (Labour, Glasgow)

Hanzala Malik prayed in Arabic and provided the following translation:

I seek the protection of God against evil. I start in the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.

Elaine Smith (Labour, Coatbridge and Chryston)

Before taking the oath, I state that I believe that the people of Scotland should be citizens and not subjects, and that I hold firmly that my allegiance should be first and foremost to them. However, I recognise that to serve my constituents in the Parliament I must meet the legal requirement of taking the oath, and I will therefore do so.

Presiding Officer

Alex Fergusson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

The first meeting of the fourth session of Parliament is resumed for the election of the Presiding Officer. I have received three valid nominations for the position of Presiding Officer. I will announce the nominations and invite each candidate to make themselves known to the chamber as their names are announced. In alphabetical order, they are Christine Grahame, Hugh Henry and Tricia Marwick. [Interruption.]

Tricia Marwick (None, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

First, I thank all my parliamentary colleagues from all parties for their support today. I also thank my predecessor, Alex Fergusson, for his work in the past four years. His was a most difficult period, with the potential to have to use the casting vote every day. I hope to be spared that difficulty. He was a class act and a difficult one to follow; I will do my very, very best.

There are some special people who deserve my thanks, because it is only with their support and love that I can do this job: my husband Frankie, my children Louise and Steven, and my lovely grandchildren Róisín and Odhrán. I love you all.

As Presiding Officer, I will be fair to all members. I will always act in the interests of the Scottish Parliament. Now we have work to do. Thank you. [Applause.]

Deputy Presiding Officers

Tricia Marwick (None, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

We move to the election of Deputy Presiding Officers. Nominations for the position of Deputy Presiding Officer will open now. Members may collect nomination forms from the business team in room T1.03, which is located within the office of the chamber desk. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the business team no later than 3.45. When submitting nomination papers, candidates or their representatives may wish to provide the name of any member who will act as scrutineer on behalf of the candidate.

I look forward to this, and I suspend the meeting until 4.15.

15:16 Meeting suspended.

16:15 On resuming—