Crawford wins top politics award
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford has been named Committee MSP of the Year at the Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards.
Mr Crawford, who is Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution committee, has been involved in scrutinising the Autumn Budget, the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Scottish Government’s Continuity Bill. The Continuity Bill was put forward by Holyrood as an alternative to the UK’s Brexit legislation.
Scottish MSPs passed the bill but it has been referred to the Supreme Court by the UK Government, who are contesting its legitimacy.
As a result of the emergency time tabling of the Continuity Bill, the committee sat through a two day session for stage two of the bill’s proceedings. The 11-hour session is thought to be the longest committee session to take place in the Scottish Parliament.
Commenting, Mr Crawford said:“I was delighted to win the award.
“It is a testament to the hard work that has been done behind the scenes over the past 12 months by the staff and clerks in Parliament. I’m grateful to the other MSP Committee members, of all parties, for the way we have managed to work together on some of the most pressing issues facing Scotland and the UK.”
“I look forward to the weeks and months ahead, with the Scottish government’s draft budget due in just a couple of weeks, my committee will be looking at what it means for public finances and services in Scotland.”