IT is now 20 years since Scotland voted in a referendum for devolution, and 19 since the Scotland Act 1998 established the Scottish Parliament.
And though still young, it is fair to say that Holyrood has established itself as a respected and respectable legislature that carries the general approval of most of us, even when we don’t always agree with the policies its members pass into law.
But modern Parliaments should always strive to increase the trust held in them, and this is exactly what Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh was aiming at when he set up a commission to give Holyrood an “MOT”. The Commission on Parliamentary Reform, chaired by former senior BBC executive John McCormick, reported back yesterday, recommending a raft of reforms he believes will give the Parliament a greater ability to be a “more successful and stronger force for good”.
For years, the main criticism of Holyrood has been its perceived lack of scrutiny. And with more powers recently transferred from Westminster, including over tax and welfare, few would argue that a more stringent approach is not needed.
With this in mind, many thought a second chamber would be among the commission’s recommendations, but there was no mention of one. Those who support such a chamber - elected or appointed - will be disappointed, especially since Scotland now remains one of the few legislatures in the world without one.
Others, however, will be glad that already stretched public funds will not be required to pay more politicians’ salaries and expenses. Indeed, few who watched the recent BBC documentary on the House of Lords are likely to have been overly impressed by how business there is conducted.
Instead, the report concentrated on the Holyrood committee system, recommending sweeping reforms aimed at making it bolder and more independent.
Among the proposals is smaller and stronger committees with convenors elected by parliament rather than appointed by party leaders, and an expansion of the legislative process from three stages to five, so there would be more time and junctures for scrutiny. A committee engagement unit, meanwhile, would support the system to be more innovative and take more risks.
Other recommendations for reform include benchmarks for MSP recruitment from under-represented groups, a stronger role for the presiding officer and the establishment of a national legislative standards body to improve quality across the board.
Former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, who served on the commission, is right to say that Holyrood business has not always accurately reflected the concerns, interests and priorities of the people.
But whether this package of reforms, which is still to be passed by MSPs, will be enough to change that and ensure all legislation is adequately and rigorously scrutinised, remains to be seen.
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