– in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 21 May 2003.
George Reid
None
2:30,
21 May 2003
The only item of business this afternoon is the election of four members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. I have received five valid nominations for appointment to the corporate body. I will read out the names of the candidates in alphabetical order and ask them to stand when their name is announced. The nominations are for: Robert Brown, Margo MacDonald, Mr Duncan McNeil, John Scott and Mr Andrew Welsh.
A copy of the guidance note that explains the procedure that will be followed this afternoon has been placed on each member's desk. I will ask members to cast their vote for their preferred candidate. A separate vote will be called for each candidate. I remind members that they may vote only once—for only one candidate in each round—and that they must use only their yes button when voting. If any member casts more than one yes vote, their votes will be treated as spoiled and neither yes vote will count. Members wishing to record an abstention will have an opportunity to do so at the end of the voting for the candidates.
Once all the voting has been completed, there will be a short delay of a few minutes while the result is verified. I will then announce the number of votes that have been cast, the number of votes for each of the candidates and the number of abstentions. A candidate will be elected if an overall Majority is obtained. If no majority is obtained, the candidate or candidates with the smallest number of votes will be eliminated and we will proceed to a further round of voting. A number of rounds may be necessary to ensure the election of four members to the corporate body.
The first vote is for members who wish to support Robert Brown. Members who wish to cast their vote for Robert Brown should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
There will now be a pause of around one minute to allow the voting record to be printed.
There were a number of no votes cast and a number of abstentions. I remind members that they have only one yes vote for the entire round.
The next vote is for members who wish to support Margo MacDonald. Members who wish to cast their vote for Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support Duncan McNeil. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr McNeil should vote yes now.
[Members voted.]
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr Scott should vote yes now.
[Members voted.]
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support Andrew Welsh. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr Welsh should vote yes now.
[Members voted.]
George Reid
None
Voting for candidates has now concluded. Any member who has not voted for a candidate and wishes to abstain should vote yes now.
[Members voted.]
George Reid
None
That is the end of voting. We now need a pause of several minutes to allow for the verification of the vote in the first round.
The total number of votes cast in the first round was 123. I declare the results as follows: Robert Brown 6, Margo MacDonald 14, Mr Duncan McNeil 70, John Scott 19, Mr Andrew Welsh 5, Abstentions 1. There were eight spoiled papers.
Division number 6
For: Lyon, George, Pringle, Mike, Purvis, Mr Jeremy, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret
Division number 8
For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Fabiani, Linda, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Rob, Gillon, Karen, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jackson, Gordon, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Maclean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Martin, Paul, Marwick, Tricia, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McMahon, Michael, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Smith, Elaine, Stevenson, Stewart, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Wallace, Mr Jim, Watson, Mike, Welsh, Mr Andrew, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan
Division number 9
For: Aitken, Bill, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Johnstone, Alex, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, Milne, Mrs Nanette, Mitchell, Margaret, Monteith, Mr Brian, Mundell, David, Raffan, Mr Keith, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Tosh, Mr Murray
Division number 10
For: Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Ingram, Mr Adam, Mather, Mr Jim, Robison, Shona
George Reid
None
I remind members that they will have only one vote in the second round, and that double voting will result in a spoiled paper.
As the result of the first round is valid, and as Mr Duncan McNeil has received more votes than the total number of votes cast for all the other candidates, I declare that Mr Duncan McNeil is selected for appointment to the SPCB.
That takes us to the second round of voting. The candidates are Robert Brown, Margo MacDonald, John Scott and Mr Andrew Welsh.
The next vote is for members who wish to vote for Robert Brown. Members who wish to cast their vote for Robert Brown should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support Margo MacDonald. Members who wish to cast their vote for Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for John Scott should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support Mr Andrew Welsh. Members who wish to vote for Mr Welsh should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
Voting for candidates is
That concludes the second round of voting. There will be a pause of several minutes to allow the results to be verified.
The votes cast in the second round of voting are as follows: Robert Brown 7, Margo MacDonald 15, John Scott 18, Mr Andrew Welsh 84.
Division number 11
For: Boyack, Sarah, Gillon, Karen, Jackson, Gordon, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Martin, Paul, Muldoon, Bristow, Watson, Mike
Division number 13
For: Aitken, Bill, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Johnstone, Alex, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, Milne, Mrs Nanette, Mitchell, Margaret, Monteith, Mr Brian, Mundell, David, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Tosh, Mr Murray
Division number 14
For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Ferguson, Patricia, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Rob, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Grahame, Christine, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Maclean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Marwick, Tricia, Mather, Mr Jim, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McMahon, Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Pringle, Mike, Purvis, Mr Jeremy, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mike, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Elaine, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stevenson, Stewart, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Wallace, Mr Jim, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan
George Reid
None
As the result is valid, and as Mr Andrew Welsh has received more votes than the total number of votes cast for the other candidates, I declare that Mr Andrew Welsh is selected for appointment to the SPCB.
That takes us to the third round of voting, in which the candidates are Robert Brown, Margo MacDonald and John Scott.
The first vote is for members who wish to support Robert Brown. Members who wish to cast their vote for Robert Brown should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support Margo MacDonald. Members who wish to cast their vote for Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for John Scott should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
Any member who has not voted for a candidate and who wishes to abstain should vote yes now.
The voting period has ended. There will be a pause for vote verification; members will be glad to know that the pauses become progressively shorter with each round.
A total of 120 votes were cast in the third round of voting and there was one spoiled paper and no abstentions. The votes cast in the third round of voting are as follows: Robert Brown 89, Margo MacDonald 14, John Scott 16.
Division number 15
For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Ferguson, Patricia, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Rob, Gillon, Karen, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Grahame, Christine, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jackson, Gordon, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Maclean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Martin, Paul, Marwick, Tricia, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McMahon, Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Pringle, Mike, Purvis, Mr Jeremy, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mike, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Elaine, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stevenson, Stewart, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Wallace, Mr Jim, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan
Division number 17
For: Aitken, Bill, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Johnstone, Alex, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, Monteith, Mr Brian, Mundell, David, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Tosh, Mr Murray
George Reid
None
As the result is valid, and as Robert Brown has received more votes than the total number of votes cast for the other candidates, I declare that Robert Brown is selected for appointment to the SPCB.
That takes us to the fourth and—I hope—final round of voting, in which there are two candidates. They are Margo MacDonald and John Scott. The procedure is as before: members who wish to support Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for John Scott should vote yes now.
Members voted.
George Reid
None
Voting for candidates is now concluded. Any member who has not voted for a candidate and wishes to abstain should vote yes now.
In the fourth, and final, round of voting, 120 votes were cast and there were no spoiled papers. The results of the fourth round of voting are as follows: Margo MacDonald 24, John Scott 93, and Abstentions 3.
Division number 18
For: Baillie, Jackie, Baird, Shiona, Ballance, Chris, Ballard, Mark, Byrne, Ms Rosemary, Curran, Frances, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Fox, Colin, Gillon, Karen, Gorrie, Donald, Harper, Robin, Harvie, Patrick, Jackson, Gordon, Kane, Rosie, Leckie, Carolyn, MacDonald, Margo, Muldoon, Bristow, Pringle, Mike, Ruskell, Mr Mark, Sheridan, Tommy, Smith, Elaine, Swinburne, John, Turner, Dr Jean
Division number 19
For: Aitken, Bill, Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Ferguson, Patricia, Fergusson, Alex, Finnie, Ross, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Gibson, Mr Rob, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Grahame, Christine, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Johnstone, Alex, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Marwick, Tricia, Mather, Mr Jim, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, McMahon, Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Milne, Mrs Nanette, Mitchell, Margaret, Monteith, Mr Brian, Morgan, Alasdair, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Mundell, David, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mike, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stevenson, Stewart, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Tosh, Mr Murray, Wallace, Mr Jim, Watson, Mike, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan
George Reid
None
As the result is valid, and as John Scott has received more votes than the number of votes cast for the other candidate, I declare that John Scott is selected for appointment to the SPCB.
As four members have now been selected for appointment to the SPCB, the election process is complete. I offer my congratulations to members who have been selected and invite them to meet me briefly in my room at parliamentary headquarters at quarter to 4.
Meeting closed at 15:22.
The term "majority" is used in two ways in Parliament. Firstly a Government cannot operate effectively unless it can command a majority in the House of Commons - a majority means winning more than 50% of the votes in a division. Should a Government fail to hold the confidence of the House, it has to hold a General Election. Secondly the term can also be used in an election, where it refers to the margin which the candidate with the most votes has over the candidate coming second. To win a seat a candidate need only have a majority of 1.
The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.
