Within the year, the residents of Rutherglen and Hamilton West could become history makers as the first Scots to take part in a parliamentary byelection.
Naturally, the actions of Margaret Ferrier continue to dominate the headlines, but the process for her potential removal from office has also caught the public’s attention this month.
Voters rightly expect those of us who reach elected office to serve their constituents dutifully and to the best of their ability.
However, there have been examples across all political parties where representatives have abused their position or failed to meet the standards expected of them.
Westminster has a robust solution when MPs step out of line - in way of a Recall Vote.
This kicks in if an MP has been imprisoned following a conviction, made a false allowances claim or is suspended from the House of Commons for more than 10 sitting days – as is the case for Ms Ferrier.
If any of the three criteria are met and 10% of registered voters sign a petition, then a byelection can proceed.
At the Scottish Parliament, there is no such provision.
MSPs who break the rules, get arrested or simply don’t turn up to work are under no obligation to stand down – they remain a member until an election or they resign.
This is not good enough and makes a mockery of the Scottish Parliament and the voters who elected us to represent them.
That’s why back in January 2022 I formally lodged the Removal from Office and Recall (Scotland) Bill.
My Bill, if passed, will ensure MSPs are automatically removed from office if they fail attend, strengthens the current disqualification provisions where an MSP receives a prison sentence and establishes a system of recall.
This process is still ongoing but it was great to hear Labour’s Jackie Baillie and Willie Rennie of the Lib Dems back my call for reform during a debate this week.
Clearly, there is a desire for change among my colleagues – and so there should be.
Because in the end, this bill is not about political point scoring. It’s about ensuring politicians are held accountable and restoring some trust to Scottish politics.
Right now, that’s something I believe we can all get behind.
