Please scrutinise all the proposed amendments and replies before commenting or voting. Short comments are most often read and must not exceed 100 words. You can propose an Amendment at the bottom of this page - please read the guidelines .
Note that the original wording appears again first below and sustains the same comment & voting regime as all other amendment proposals.
Section 13.4. Section 13.4. There will be an Electoral Commission to be responsible for the fair, transparent and independent conduct of elections and referendums.
Section 13.4. Section 13.4. Popular Initiatives : I suggest one could change the end of the sentence to read "Elections, Referendums and Initiatives" Political Rights in Switzerland, where I've lived for 50 years (and voted during 25), include Petitions, Referendums AND Initiatives. Popular Initiatives allow the People to set the political agenda when, for example, Parliament / Government have either chosen not to act or have ignored a topic of concern to the population as a whole. In 2019, 100,000 registered voters launched an "Initiative to Save the Glaciers" and that subsequently generated so much discussion and political back and forward that the People finally approved an excellent Climate Change law in 2023. Direct Democracy takes time - but it works ! A comparative signature threshhold for Scotland would be 80,000.
Section 13.4. There will be an Electoral Commission to be responsible for the fair, transparent and independent conduct of elections and referendums. The Electoral Commission will also sponsor and administer non-Party Constancy Associations to facilitate the close relationship between electors and their Member of Parliament. The CA will be the basis for liaison in Article 6, 4.1/ 5.5/ 13.1/13.2 (am’d)/ and the nomination of expert members of independent commissions
Section 13.4. Adding (non- Party) Constituency Associations. This is one of three related amendments 5.4, 13.2 & 13.4 which together extend popular democracy into Parliament itself. It addresses the power and influence of lobbying and special interest groups over the drafting of legislation. Adopting these three Sections enables Parliament to secure truly independent specialist advice by empowering the electorate (1) to nominate their own experienced and expert Members to all Select Commissions and (2) requires an independent Commission Report to be published prior to any new or revised legislation being enacted by Parliament.
NB. If you support this proposal please ensure you vote for all three amendments.
Section 13.4. Popular Initiatives : Arfem, what do you think of changing the first line to read "Elections, Referendums and Initiatives ?" Political Rights in Switzerland, where I've lived for 50 years (and voted for during 25), include Petitions, Referendums AND Initiatives. Popular Initiatives allow the People to set the political agenda when, for example, Parliament / Government have not acted on / ignored a topic of concern to the population as a whole. In 2019, 100,000 registered voters launched an "Initiative to Save the Glaciers" and that subsequently generated so much discussion and political back and forward that the People finally approved an excellent Climate Change law in 2023. Direct Democracy takes time - but it works !
Section 13.4. These CAs would also provide a platform for local candidates to be selected for election by local people rather than those parachuted in by the 'Party Machines'.
Section 13.4.
Section 13.5 Add;
An Ethics committee shall be appointed to look into all matters surrounding claims against a standing member of parliament. This ethics committee shall, under law, have the right to impose fines, and recommend criminal action, against the accused, or the accuser. This commission shall comprise of an odd number, with no abstention allowed on a verdict. The chair shall only vote, in the case of a tie. No member of the ethics committee shall be a sitting or past Member of the Scottish parliament. All members of the ethics committee, will provide legal consent to have their information provided.
Section 13.4. Yes, MPs need to maintain the highest ethical standards but I think the amendment would be more appropriate as a Commission under 13.4....
Proposed Amendments to Section
Please scrutinise all the proposed amendments and replies before commenting or voting. Short comments are most often read and must not exceed 100 words.
You can propose an Amendment at the bottom of this page - please read the guidelines .
Note that the original wording appears again first below and sustains the same comment & voting regime as all other amendment proposals.
Original Version
Section 13.4. Section 13.4. There will be an Electoral Commission to be responsible for the fair, transparent and independent conduct of elections and referendums.
Section 13.4. Section 13.4. Popular Initiatives : I suggest one could change the end of the sentence to read "Elections, Referendums and Initiatives" Political Rights in Switzerland, where I've lived for 50 years (and voted during 25), include Petitions, Referendums AND Initiatives. Popular Initiatives allow the People to set the political agenda when, for example, Parliament / Government have either chosen not to act or have ignored a topic of concern to the population as a whole. In 2019, 100,000 registered voters launched an "Initiative to Save the Glaciers" and that subsequently generated so much discussion and political back and forward that the People finally approved an excellent Climate Change law in 2023. Direct Democracy takes time - but it works ! A comparative signature threshhold for Scotland would be 80,000.
Proposed Amendment to Section 13.4.
Adding provision of Constituency Associations
Section 13.4. There will be an Electoral Commission to be responsible for the fair, transparent and independent conduct of elections and referendums. The Electoral Commission will also sponsor and administer non-Party Constancy Associations to facilitate the close relationship between electors and their Member of Parliament. The CA will be the basis for liaison in Article 6, 4.1/ 5.5/ 13.1/13.2 (am’d)/ and the nomination of expert members of independent commissions
Section 13.4. Adding (non- Party) Constituency Associations. This is one of three related amendments 5.4, 13.2 & 13.4 which together extend popular democracy into Parliament itself. It addresses the power and influence of lobbying and special interest groups over the drafting of legislation. Adopting these three Sections enables Parliament to secure truly independent specialist advice by empowering the electorate (1) to nominate their own experienced and expert Members to all Select Commissions and (2) requires an independent Commission Report to be published prior to any new or revised legislation being enacted by Parliament.
NB. If you support this proposal please ensure you vote for all three amendments.
Section 13.4. Popular Initiatives : Arfem, what do you think of changing the first line to read "Elections, Referendums and Initiatives ?" Political Rights in Switzerland, where I've lived for 50 years (and voted for during 25), include Petitions, Referendums AND Initiatives. Popular Initiatives allow the People to set the political agenda when, for example, Parliament / Government have not acted on / ignored a topic of concern to the population as a whole. In 2019, 100,000 registered voters launched an "Initiative to Save the Glaciers" and that subsequently generated so much discussion and political back and forward that the People finally approved an excellent Climate Change law in 2023. Direct Democracy takes time - but it works !
Section 13.4. Good suggestion! Perhaps you should also consider amending Section 5.3 to include 'popular initiatives'?
Section 13.4. Thanks - FYI I've added a comment to 5.3 and a second to 6.4
Section 13.4. These CAs would also provide a platform for local candidates to be selected for election by local people rather than those parachuted in by the 'Party Machines'.
Proposed Amendment to Section 13.4.
Ethics committee new section 13.5
Section 13.4.
Section 13.5 Add;
An Ethics committee shall be appointed to look into all matters surrounding claims against a standing member of parliament. This ethics committee shall, under law, have the right to impose fines, and recommend criminal action, against the accused, or the accuser. This commission shall comprise of an odd number, with no abstention allowed on a verdict. The chair shall only vote, in the case of a tie. No member of the ethics committee shall be a sitting or past Member of the Scottish parliament. All members of the ethics committee, will provide legal consent to have their information provided.
Section 13.4. Yes, MPs need to maintain the highest ethical standards but I think the amendment would be more appropriate as a Commission under 13.4....