Am in the chamber and first thing I note is that my msp, Ruth Davidson is not here. The debate is however well attended. Lots of ppl in the public gallery around me. Will now tweet a thread 👇
Vote being called on proposed Conservative amendments to tie down terms of arrangements for any future referendums. MSPs coming in to vote (no Ruth yet but FM just came in)
Oh yay! Ruth is here - I am glad. I want my msp on all this. It is all v convivial by the way - lots of chat between members
Voting swift and digital and so much more efficient than Westminster. Amendments proposed voted on in turn - no abstentions. Mike Russell now speaking on the next set of proposed amendments.
These are about how any questions will be set - electoral commission and parliament both involved. Labour and Cons MSPs both also making points. Have to say Lab MSPs look miserable.
Oooft I think Adam Tomkins just accused Mike Russell of not being entirely honest and is shouting. Tories stamping feet etc. Liberals supporting the Cons. & claims the snp trying to 'fix' questions. The unionists in the chamber clearly exercised in this one.
Patrick Harvey speaking. Chamber calms for him. This is all about whether indyref2 wd ask yes/no or change to leave/remain tho they are arguing about the issue as a principle. It is fascinating listening. Democracy in process, really. Vote is on ....
The proposed amendment doesn't pass - Mike Russell's argument prevails. All other amendments in this section uncontested. Moving on to the next set - about the date of polls and how they are set. All agreed. Next .... more amendments - they are whizzing theu this.
Having sat in the public gallery at Westminster I have to say despite clear disagreements, this feels more efficient and much more mannerly. Cons now talking against being able to modify the bill. Less than 5 mins and everyone agrees. Hurrah. Back to Patrick Harvey.
Debate moves to wider issues re: encouraging engagement through eg citizens assemblies. Also looking at falsehoods and how to counter them. Law commission is to report on this. Huge issue. Good to include this given need for regulation on campaigning. Broad support in chamber.
Cons speaking to extending the purdah period from 28 days to 10 weeks to disallow gvmnt promoting voters taking part in referendums. They can't mean that! I think that's what he is speaking to. Wow. Russell now speaking against this idea.
Harvey points out that in the case of indyref2 this amendment we put the Scottish gvmnt under a longer purdah than uk government. Cons now saying that is what they want and it wd be best practice. I am with Harvey- so is the house. Doesn't pass.
I am so glad I came today. It is really interesting to listen to the arguements in this kind of detail. It reminds me of plotting a novel - covering all the angles. They are now talking about how to legislate online campaigning and the impact of that.
Getting to the end of amendments which strengthen the position of the Electoral Commission to act 'in real time' with infringements of electoral law during campaigning. Changes agreed. And that's the bill's amendments completed. Great.
And we're back. Neil Findlay (lab) now challenging Mike Russell - saying now is not the time for indyref in the face of brexit. Russell says nature of intended brexit is clear and this bill paves the way and we need the way paved. Cons now saying that snp disingenuous.
V few msps still in the house for this. Adam Tomkins is quite shouty again. He has given way tho. Wow - he is really platforming to all these empty chairs. Asked whether he believes ppl can change their minds and he kind of blanks it.
Harvey says he likes the flexibility of this bill - Tomkins back up and saying Cons will vote against it. He is now speaking over time to say in celebratory style that we have a conservative gvmnt which will not allow an indyref2. Everyone gasps and tuts.
Wow glad that is done. Lab now speaking saying they won't support the bill cos brexit. That makes little sense to me but they seem committed to this view. Now questioning whether Scotland cd join the Eu. Honestly this feels like electioneering.
Lab saying most ppl want this parliament to just do it's best to protect Scotland from the damage brexit will unevitably will wreak. Wow. Not this person. Harvey now speaking for the bill taking about all of is taking responsibility for our democracy.
He is stridently attacking the Cons brexit stance as unconstitutional. Suggests learning from Ireland re citizen led discussions to minimise division. This is great! Now Libs - saying they will vote against and if it passes it isn't the will of the Scottish ppl.
They are accusing the snp and the greens of trying to 'hoodwink' parliament. This is not what I am seeing, have tbh. Patrick Harvey challenging Libs saying greens are nationalists. Rumbles sticks to his guns. This guy is trying to be offensive I think. Harvey leaves the chamber.
He has come back in now - the tone of that lib guy was unpleasant. Now an snp msp - don't know who. Much calmer he is explaining the committee process behind the bill. Winds up by saying England's vote Cons must be respected but so must Scotland's snp win. Cons r staring him out.
Cons now up saying Scotland doesn't want a referendum and Holyrood shd just get on with the day job. Saying bill has only had 200+ days for scrutiny. I can only think of how things are being rushed at Westminster: a lot fewer than that. This guy clearly didn't take in recent ...
Election results in Scotland. Got to say he is sticking to his line. It makes zero sense to me and honestly I have Tory mates who wd agree with me over this - it is a v old fashioned argument. Neil Findlay now up supporting the SNP's election win interestingly.
He says he won't support the bill cos he just doesn't think Scotland can go Indy and seems to think we shd go along with brexit until we know how bad it is. I am an ex Lab voter and if this is the best they have I won't be back. He says he will abstain. Interesting.
Now Angela Constance talking about the extent of the multiple mandates. Clapping: actually that was a banging speech - positive and she wished everyone happy Xmas at the end. Now nice Lab lady is up - she is against going back to what the question shd be.
She seems to feel that a nationalist majority at Holyrood shouldn't legislate accordingly but hey, that's what the country voted in, lady. Her view is that Holyrood shd focus solely on brexit. Right - Cons again. Murdo Fraser I think. Msps are coming back in gradually as
It's close to time to vote. He is pushing the once in a lifetime referendum quote. Gillian Martin intervenes speaking for Scotland's right to choose. Murdo is not having that. Scenes! These guys are behind - this stuff is not what Tory voters I know are saying.
He gets points for saying happy Xmas tho. Mike Russell says Murdo's speech was silly and is now having a go at Lib - Rumbles - and one of the other Tories. This is quite good fun. 'Nothing may have changed for the rich man ... it is not true for the poor one.' Clapping.
He also says that EU citizens will be advocates for. Good on him. The Cons rumbling. Oooh. Shouting even. Russell@now inviting the Labour Party to change their view. Now more shouting from the Cons. clapping from the snp. 'If not now when?' He challenges Neil Findlay.
Right - speeches over. Time for vote .... and it is passed. 2 abstentions. Got to say I am surprised how little nuance there was in the opposition arguments there. Ah well. Parliament now dissolved for Xmas and I am ready for a cuppa at the v least.
