Holyrood reform plans welcome

ANY democracy requires checks and balances in its institutional structures to ensure that elected governments cannot abuse their power. One of the most important of these is the ability of parliaments to scrutinise government legislation and actions.

Holyrood’s scrutinising ability, however, did not fully develop in the first three administrations, and it has been further undermined since 2011 when the SNP won more than half the seats at Holyrood. It meant the same party was not only able to form a government with an absolute majority but was also able to use that majority to wield considerable control over Holyrood’s committees, where most of the scrutiny function is supposed to be carried out.

Many doubted Tricia Marwick, the parliament’s presiding officer, would dare to correct that fault, since she is also from the SNP. But now she has shown commendable independence of mind and put forward reform proposals.

Her idea that committee conveners should be elected by a secret ballot is a good one. It would free those conveners to act much more independently of parties and government. It would also give them greater political and moral authority.

Some further safeguards should be considered. The proposal that conveners of the finance and public audit committees should have to come from opposition ranks has a lot of merit.

Ms Marwick’s ideas are several steps down the road towards a parliament fit for the purpose of serving the public, its main role. With her scrutiny of lobbying and all-party groups, she is showing herself to be a reforming presiding officer.