Scottish Parliament, 7 May 2003
64 contributions from 28 members. The official report.
Oaths and Affirmations
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I declare the second session of the Scottish Parliament, from 2003 to 2007, duly constituted. The only item of business this morning is members' oaths and affirmations. I will call each member in turn, starting with the party leaders and continuing thereafter alphabetically. When a member is called, they should proceed to the well of the chamber, where they will either take the oath or make the affirmation.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Mr Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab)
John Swinney (Scottish National Party, North Tayside)
On behalf of my colleagues, I reaffirm that the Scottish National Party's primary loyalty is to the people of Scotland, in the constitutional tradition of the sovereignty of the people.
The following members took the oath:
Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP) David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con) Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD)
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green)
Robin Harper (Green, Lothians)
On behalf of the Scottish Green Party, I affirm that our priority will be to serve the people of Scotland, who are sovereign in this land.
Tommy Sheridan (SSP, Glasgow)
Before making the affirmation, I would like to state that I and my party colleagues were elected on a clear and honest commitment to an independent socialist Scotland—a socialist republic—and a Scotland of citizens, not a Scotland of subjects. We will continue to fight for such a society.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP) Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP) Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab) Shiona Baird (North-East Scotland) (Green) Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green) Mark Ballard (Lothians) (Green) Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab) Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab)
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab) Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD) Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab)
The following members took the oath:
Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con) Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Mr Richard Baker (North-East Scotland) (Lab) Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Rosemary Byrne (SSP, South of Scotland)
Before I make the affirmation, I would like to make a short statement that I do so under duress. I was elected by the people of the South of Scotland as their representative in the Scottish Parliament. I am a socialist. I believe in equality. We are all Jock Tamson's bairns—we are all equal and we should not need to take an oath. However, they are a means to an end: an independent socialist republic.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP)
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Before I call the next member, I remind people in the public gallery that no interruption of any kind can be made from the gallery. I am afraid that those who do so may be asked to leave.
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
I believe in the sovereignty of the people of Scotland rather than the sovereignty of any monarch. However, in order to represent the people who elected me, the law requires me to go through this ritual. I make the following affirmation under protest.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West) Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)
The following member took the oath:
Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab)
Bruce Crawford (Scottish National Party, Mid Scotland and Fife)
Before I take the oath, I would like to say that my primary allegiance lies with the people of Scotland. I believe them to be sovereign.
The following member took the oath:
Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
Roseanna Cunningham (Scottish National Party, Perth)
Because I believe in the sovereignty of the people of Scotland, I make this affirmation under protest.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP)
Frances Curran (SSP, West of Scotland)
In a democracy I should not be forced, under protest, to take an oath of allegiance to an unelected monarch. I represent the people of the West of Scotland and I will continue to stand for an independent, socialist republic.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Frances Curran (West of Scotland) (SSP) Susan Deacon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) (Lab) Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP) Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP)
The following members took the oath:
Ms Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab) Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con) Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con) Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab) Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP) Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab) Alex Fergusson (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (Con) Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD)
Colin Fox (SSP, Lothians)
Before reading the affirmation, I wish to make a short statement. As a socialist, I make the affirmation to the Crown under protest. I would like to offer some words of the national poet, Robert Burns:
"A prince can mak a belted knight"—
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I am sorry, but there is no singing in Parliament—
Colin Fox (SSP, Lothians)
"A marquis, duke, and a' that; But an honest man's aboon his might, Gude faith he mauna fa' that!"
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I am sorry, but if you are not prepared to take the oath, you will have to wait until the end of the queue—
Colin Fox (SSP, Lothians)
"For a' that, and a' that, His ribband, star and a' that, The man of independent mind, He looks and laughs at a' that.—"
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I am sorry—
Colin Fox (SSP, Lothians)
"Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that, ... That Man to Man the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that.—"
George Reid (None, Ochil)
You will have to go to the end of the queue. You cannot take up other people's time.
The following members took the oath:
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con) Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD) Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con)
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Mr Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab)
Marlyn Glen (North-East Scotland) (Lab) Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Christine Grahame (Scottish National Party, South of Scotland)
I wish to make a statement that I make the affirmation under duress, believing as I do in the sovereignty of the Scottish people and the Scottish people alone.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP)
The following members took the oath:
Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab) Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab)
George Reid (None, Ochil)
At this point, we shall take a break from the oath taking.
Adam Ingram (Scottish National Party, South of Scotland)
I take this oath under protest, as I believe that only the people are sovereign here.
The following members took the oath:
Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP) Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab) Gordon Jackson (Glasgow Govan) (Lab) Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab) Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con)
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab)
Rosie Kane (SSP, Glasgow)
Like my comrades before me, and like an ever-increasing number of MSPs, I take this oath under very strong protest. A Government that asks firefighters to modernise should really think about modernising itself.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP) Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab)
The following member took the oath:
Mr Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab)
Carolyn Leckie (SSP, Central Scotland)
I would like to make a statement. Like all my comrades, I think that the Parliament should be accountable and loyal only to the people. I believe in an independent socialist republic, so I take the oath, which is to a woman who has inherited privilege, under strong protest. Apart from anything else, I do not even know the woman. I apologise to my mother, who is actually a great fan of hers, but that is not for me, thank you.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Will you proceed to the oath, please?
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP)
The following member took the oath:
Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab)
Richard Lochhead (Scottish National Party, North East Scotland)
I reiterate my and my party's belief that sovereignty in Scotland lies with the people and with no one else.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP) Kenneth MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP)
The following members took the oath:
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD) Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab) Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind)
Campbell Martin (Scottish National Party, West of Scotland)
I believe in the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and therefore make the affirmation under protest.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (SNP) Kate Maclean (Dundee West) (Lab) Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
The following member took the oath:
Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab)
Michael Matheson (Scottish National Party, Central Scotland)
I believe in the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and therefore take the oath under protest.
The following members took the oath:
Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP) Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab)
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Stewart Maxwell (Scottish National Party, West of Scotland)
I would like to say that I was elected by the people of the West of Scotland, that the people of Scotland are sovereign and that I take the affirmation under protest.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP) Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
The following members took the oath:
Mr Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab) Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab)
Bruce McFee (Scottish National Party, West of Scotland)
Before performing this ritual, I would like to say that my loyalty and affirmation are to the people of Scotland and not to the British state or any of its institutions.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Mr Bruce McFee (West of Scotland) (SNP) Mr Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab)
The following members took the oath:
Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab) Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab) Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab) Mrs Nanette Milne (North-East Scotland) (Con) Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con) Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I will take Colin Fox now, provided that he is prepared to affirm without any further protest.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Colin Fox (Lothians) (SSP)
Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee East)
Before I make an affirmation, I restate my belief that it is the people of Scotland who are sovereign. [ Interruption. ]
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP)
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I remind members of the public that, welcome though you are in the gallery, you must not make any interruption to the proceedings.
The following members took the oath:
Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire (LD) Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD) Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Eleanor Scott (Green, Highlands and Islands)
I would like to make a brief statement, which is that I intend to take the oath in Gaelic as well and that in a Scottish Parliament, a Gaelic oath should be sufficient of itself.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
The following members took the oath:
John Scott (Ayr) (Con) Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD)
Elaine Smith (Labour, Coatbridge and Chryston)
I wish to state that I believe in the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and hold firmly that my allegiance should be first and foremost to them. However, I recognise the legal requirement that I must meet in order to serve my constituents in this Parliament and therefore I will take the oath.
The following members took the oath:
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab) Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD) Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD) Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP) Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Iain Smith (North-East Fife) (LD)
Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party, Glasgow)
Before making the affirmation, I wish to declare my belief in the sovereignty of the Scottish people.
The following members made a solemn affirmation:
Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP) Mike Watson (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab) Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP)
The following members took the oath:
John Swinburne (Central Scotland) (SSCUP) Mr Murray Tosh (West of Scotland) (Con) Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind)
Sandra White (Scottish National Party, Glasgow)
Before I make the affirmation, I would like to state that I believe in a free and independent Scotland in which the Scottish people would be independent citizens rather than subjects. Therefore, I make the affirmation under protest.
The following member made a solemn affirmation:
Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP)
The following members took the oath:
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab) Allan Wilson (Cunninghame North) (Lab)
George Reid (None, Ochil)
That concludes the oath-taking and affirmation process, which has been completed by every one of the elected members.
I inform members that nominations for the position of Presiding Officer will open at 12.30, which is in half an hour's time. Nomination forms can be collected from the chamber desk, which is situated on the ground floor of the Parliament's headquarters. Completed nomination forms should be returned to the chamber desk no later than 2.15 this afternoon. Nomination forms will be valid only if they detail the name of the candidate, the member nominating the candidate and the member seconding that nomination.
Presiding Officer
George Reid (None, Ochil)
The first item of business this afternoon is the election of the Presiding Officer. I have received one valid nomination for the position of Presiding Officer—that of George Reid—but we must proceed with an election in accordance with rule 11.9 of standing orders, because election to the post requires a simple majority of those voting, who must exceed 25 per cent of the Parliament's membership.
Members should wait in their seats until I indicate that they should collect their ballot papers, which will be available at the back of the chamber. Two tables have been set aside for that purpose. The table on my left should be used by members whose surnames begin with letters from A to L and the table on my right should be used by members whose surnames begin with letters from M to Z. When collecting ballot papers, members should give their names to the clerks, who will issue the papers—one paper to one member.
Members may mark their ballot papers in the voting booths, which are located on either side of the chamber, adjacent to the rear exits. For privacy, I request that members approach the area of the voting booths only to mark ballot papers. Once members have marked their ballot papers with an X to vote for or against or to abstain, they should fold and place their ballot papers in the ballot box in the well of the chamber before returning to their seats.
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
My final day would not be complete without a point of order.
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
As you know, paragraph 3 of rule 3.1 of standing orders says:
"In exercising any functions, the Presiding Officer and deputy Presiding Officers shall act impartially, taking account of the interests of all members equally."
During your tenure in the past four years, I have complained to you repeatedly about a lack of equality of opportunity to speak in the chamber. For example, the leaders of the Scottish National Party and the Tory party regularly took up more than half of First Minister's question time, which left little time for back benchers.
Before we vote in the secret ballot, can we have a short speech from the nominees to explain their interpretation of paragraph 3 of rule 3.1 of standing orders? Whenever I asked you about your interpretation, your only response was that some members are more equal than others. That might go down well in the House of Lords, but it does not go down well in this Parliament.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I will take Mr Canavan's point seriously. We do not have speeches on the election of the Presiding Officer. It is assumed that members know the character of the individuals who are proposed. Standing orders do not allow for election speeches—
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
rose—
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Let me finish.
On the wider issue, I hope that Mr Canavan accepts that it will be for the Procedures Committee and the chamber to decide what adjustments to make to the general running order of Parliament in the light of the election. However, that does not alter the fact that the leaders of the major political parties in any Parliament have always been given rather more latitude than the ordinary member. That does not take away from the principle, which you are right to proclaim, of equality of treatment for every individual. Like me, and as was his practice as Deputy Presiding Officer, I am sure that Mr Reid will be totally impartial and that he will lean over backwards to help independent members.
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
Further to that point of order, Presiding Officer. Some members in this chamber were not members of the Scottish Parliament over the past four years, and they are entitled to hear from the various nominees. I realise that there is only one nominee for the post of Presiding Officer, but those members are entitled to hear from the various nominees for the job of Deputy Presiding Officer what their interpretation is of that particular standing order. Do the nominees believe in equality of membership in this chamber or do they not?
George Reid (None, Ochil)
I am quite certain that the nominee for Presiding Officer and whatever nominees there are for Deputy Presiding Officer—presumably they will be members who served in the last Parliament—know perfectly well that it is part of our tradition that equality is bestowed on every member by the occupants of the chair. That has been our tradition, and it will remain the tradition.
I do not think that I can give any more explanation than that. We must proceed to the ballot.
Members voted by secret ballot.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
In the ballot for Presiding Officer, the votes were as follows: For 113, Against 7, Abstentions 9.
A clear majority has expressed its preference, and more than 25 per cent of members have voted. I therefore declare George Reid to be the Presiding Officer of this Parliament. [Applause.]
George, you and I have known each other since we were students more than 40 years ago, and we have been very good friends. However, it is your service as Deputy Presiding Officer for four years, your period in that other Parliament and your service with the International Red Cross that made you such an obvious choice to be the Presiding Officer. As I take my leave of you for the last time, I wish you well. [Applause.]
George Reid (None, Ochil)
It is an honour to follow David Steel into the chair of this Parliament. I want to thank members for the trust that they have placed in me. In accepting this responsibility, I now, as Presiding Officer, give up all party affiliation and pledge to work only for the greater good of this Parliament, its committees, all its members and its staff.
Over the next four years, we shall be guided by the founding principles of accessibility, accountability, equal opportunities and the sharing of power between the Parliament, the Executive and the people of Scotland. Every MSP has rights and responsibilities—each has the right to contribute and the responsibility to do so constructively and courteously. The greatest responsibility is to build public confidence in the Parliament as the place where the issues of devolved Scottish life are identified, thoroughly debated and, after proper scrutiny, decided. [Applause.]
I now declare nominations open for the two Deputy Presiding Officers. Members may collect nomination forms from my office, which is located off the black-and-white corridor—completed nomination forms should be returned to my office no later than 3.15 pm. When candidates submit nomination papers, they or their representatives should inform the clerk of the member whom they wish to act as a scrutineer on their behalf.
Jack McConnell (Labour, Motherwell and Wishaw)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. There is not yet a new Executive, but I congratulate you on behalf of the existing Executive and representatives of the Scottish Labour party and assure you that, in building public confidence and ensuring that the founding principles of transparency, accountability and participation are carried through, you will have the full co-operation of Executive ministers and Labour MSPs. We wish you well in the post.
You have had a distinguished career in politics and other aspects of life. Following on from Sir David Steel and with your connections and activities far beyond the shores of Scotland, you will carry on a great tradition. As long as there is a devolved Parliament in Scotland, I hope that it will not be insular, but will recognise that we are part of a much wider world. We will work co-operatively, constructively and closely with you, Presiding Officer, and we hope that together we can ensure that the second session of the Scottish Parliament is even more successful than the first session. [Applause.]
John Swinney (Scottish National Party, North Tayside)
I add the SNP's congratulations to Mr McConnell's good wishes. I do not regret Mr Reid's elevation from the ranks of the SNP to the post of Presiding Officer. He has been a dear party colleague over many years, and I know that the office is worthy of the contribution that he has to make to Scottish politics.
Mr McConnell referred to Mr Reid's international experience. Without a doubt, that experience will shape much of his ambition for the Parliament and its contribution to the world and shaping of the lives of people in Scotland. He was one of the people who designed the statutes of the Parliament and established its founding principles, to which he referred. I cannot think of a more fitting person to take forward those principles in the challenges that lie ahead. On behalf of the SNP, I wish him every success in the office of Presiding Officer. [Applause.]
David McLetchie (Conservative, Edinburgh Pentlands)
Presiding Officer, I echo the sentiments that Mr McConnell and Mr Swinney have expressed in congratulating you on your election to the post of Presiding Officer with a share of the vote that many of us would dream of and envy. Controversial refereeing decisions will no doubt be made from the chair in the next four years—as they were made in the past four years—but I am sure that you will bring to every decision that you take in the Parliament the impartiality, integrity and sense of fair play that you brought to the post of Deputy Presiding Officer. All Conservative members wish you well and pledge you their full co-operation and support. [ Applause. ]
Jim Wallace (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)
Presiding Officer, on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, I warmly congratulate you on your election to the post of Presiding Officer. The overwhelming support that you received and the fact that you were unopposed are marks of the confidence that we have in you—not least because of the way in which you discharged your duties as Deputy Presiding Officer with a sense of fairness and justice. I know that you will bring those qualities to the office of Presiding Officer. We sat together on the consultative steering group and I therefore know your commitment to the founding principles of this Parliament. I am sure that you will remind us how important those principles are in the eyes of the people of Scotland.
As has been said, Presiding Officer, your international reputation goes before you. We expect a lot of our Presiding Officer, not least that he or she be an ambassador for the Parliament at home and abroad. We know that you will discharge that duty with confidence. With your qualities, there is no better person to be a worthy successor to Sir David Steel. [Applause.]
Robin Harper (Green, Lothians)
Presiding Officer, may I offer on behalf of the Scottish Green Party my heartiest congratulations on your appointment. You have been nothing short of exceptionally fair when chairing the proceedings of this chamber over the past four years. There is nothing more reassuring for smaller parties than to see the Presiding Officer make this little sign with the hand—a sign that means, "Some time before the end of the debate, if you promise to keep your contribution short, you will get in." I look forward to your chairmanship over the next four years with eager anticipation. [ Applause. ]
Tommy Sheridan (SSP, Glasgow)
Presiding Officer, on behalf of the Scottish Socialist Party, I congratulate you. However, it has to be said that it is a loss to the back benches not to have you on them. Over the past four years of the Parliament, you made some of the best speeches that this chamber has ever heard. We will miss your strength of feeling and your ability to deliver an informed and passionate speech. Now that I have said that, I hope that we will get a fair crack of the whip. [ Applause. ]
Margo MacDonald (Independent, Lothians)
Further to the point of order that was raised by the First Minister, Presiding Officer, may I congratulate you on your elevation? I noted that you took up the spirit of the suggestion that was made by my colleague, Mr Canavan, who referred to paragraph 3 of standing order 3.1. I promise you, Presiding Officer, that if you stick to that standing order, I will be very responsible.
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
I, too, would like to add my congratulations to you, Presiding Officer. I hope that your tenure as Presiding Officer will ensure that there is real equality of opportunity for all members of this Parliament over the next four years. That has certainly not been the case over the past four years.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Thank you to all. I now suspend this meeting of Parliament until 3.30 pm.
Deputy Presiding Officers
George Reid (None, Ochil)
The next item of business this afternoon is the election of two Deputy Presiding Officers. I have received six valid nominations—I am sorry, I have received three valid nominations for the positions of Deputy Presiding Officer. [ Laughter. ] There are six names on the paper, as each candidate has a scrutineer.
I will now read out the nominations. As I read each name, the member concerned should stand briefly. In alphabetical order, the names are: Robin Harper; Murray Tosh; and Trish Godman. [Laughter.]
Dennis Canavan (Independent, Falkirk West)
I move a motion of no confidence in the Presiding Officer.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
This was always going to be a rainbow Parliament of diversity. We will push on.
The elections shall proceed in accordance with rule 11.9 of standing orders, which requires that one or more voting rounds be held until a candidate is elected to the first Deputy Presiding Officer position. Thereafter, a further round, or rounds, of voting will be undertaken until a second Deputy Presiding Officer is elected. The procedure for the election of each Deputy Presiding Officer will be identical to that which was undertaken for the Presiding Officer's election. In each round, members will have only one vote.
I declare the election for the first Deputy Presiding Officer position open.
Members voted by secret ballot.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Voting for this round of the election of the first Deputy Presiding Officer is now closed. I ask the following members to come to the well of the chamber in order to scrutinise the counting of ballot papers: Mark Ballard for Robin Harper; Alex Fergusson for Murray Tosh; and Johann Lamont for Trish Godman. Candidates, too, may come to the well of the chamber for the count if they so wish.
In the first round of voting in the election of the first Deputy Presiding Officer, the total number of votes cast was 128. Three papers were spoiled, and I remind members that they have only one vote in each round. The number of votes cast for each candidate was: Trish Godman 59, Robin Harper 23, Murray Tosh 43.
As no candidate received an overall majority of votes cast, and as Robin Harper received the fewest votes, Robin Harper is eliminated from the election and a further round of voting will take place with Trish Godman and Murray Tosh as candidates. It is necessary to print new ballot papers, so I suspend the meeting for 15 minutes.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Welcome back. Voting for the next round is now open.
Members voted by secret ballot.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
Voting is closed and the count may start. I ask the scrutineers for each of the candidates to come forward. The candidates may accompany them if they so wish.
In the second round of voting in the election for the first Deputy Presiding Officer, 125 votes were cast and there were no spoiled papers. The number of votes that were cast for each candidate was: Trish Godman 72, Murray Tosh 48, Abstentions 5. Accordingly, as Trish Godman received more votes than the other candidate, and as more than 25 per cent of members voted, Trish Godman is elected as the first Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.]
We now proceed to the election of the second Deputy Presiding Officer. Mr Harper dropped out of the first ballot but now returns to the contest. The candidates for the position are therefore Murray Tosh and Robin Harper. The ballot papers are ready and I invite members to vote.
Members voted by secret ballot.
George Reid (None, Ochil)
In the election for the second Deputy Presiding Officer, the number of votes that were cast for each candidate was: Robin Harper 22, Murray Tosh 102, Abstentions 1. There were no spoiled papers. Accordingly, as Murray Tosh received more votes than the other candidate, and as more than 25 per cent of members voted, Murray Tosh is hereby elected as the second Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [ Applause. ]
Members might also wish to thank Robin Harper for standing in the contest. [Applause.]
I have one brief announcement to make before we are finished. I remind members that immediately following completion of today's business, they should remain in the chamber to allow for the taking of the 2003 official commemorative photograph.
I close this first meeting of the second session of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.]
Meeting closed at 16:35.