The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
I’ve seen no referendum plans yet, top Holyrood officer tells DC podcast
The Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer, Alison Johnstone, has confirmed no detailed proposals for a second independence referendum have been sent to her ahead of the planned vote next year.
Ms Johnstone confirmed the lack of details from the government in an interview for The Stooshie, the politics podcast from DC Thomson.
She was asked about the challenges to come as she reflected on her first year in the senior post at Holyrood.
Asked if she had seen any draft referendum plan yet, Ms Johnstone replied: “No, I wouldn’t expect to see any bill until the point at which it’s introduced.
“That’s the normal practice. I would never expect to see a bill until it’s been introduced and the timing of any introduction of a bill is a matter for the Scottish Government.”
Last month, it was reported the presiding officer would not confirm if draft legislation to enable a referendum had been lodged by the government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Scots will be given another say as early as 2023, despite UK Government opposition.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is opposed to any steps to hold another vote, which could lead to court action.
Asked on The Stooshie if legal advice had been taken anyway, Ms Johnstone said: “Whenever a bill is introduced, at that point, I receive very good advice from expert lawyers, depending on the subject matter. We have a good chance to look at it then.”
In the 15-minute podcast discussion, published yesterday afternoon, she reflects on her first year in the presiding officer’s chair at Holyrood, where she oversees the running of business, including chamber debates. Most of that first year has seen parliament curtailed by Covid restrictions.
Ms Johnstone only experienced her first full debating chamber in April when restrictions were lifted on attendance.
She said: “It has been an interesting year, a challenging one. I think the Parliament and its staff team have really risen to the challenge of ensuring that business is delivered during all the many stages of Covid.
“It’s just a great privilege and an honour to be presiding over the most diverse Parliament to date.”
Ms Johnstone revealed work is under way to check how different subjects are covered across the chamber.
Women make up 45% of the chamber, but might not ask that proportion of questions.
Research at Holyrood showed most transport questions came from men, for example.
“It’s interesting to look at who’s speaking on which topic because we want to make sure we’re hearing from the breadth of parliamentary experience on a whole range of issues,” she says in the podcast.
Ms Johnstone was first elected in 2011 for the Scottish Green Party in the Lothian region.
She had been drawn into politics after trying to save a local green space in Edinburgh from development.
Reflecting on the shift from school playpark campaigner to presiding officer, she said: “The fact I find myself here some two decades later, let’s just say it wasn’t planned.”
But she says she is looking ahead to strengthen Parliament.
“I want it to become increasingly relevant and to increase that engagement,” she says.