Proxy voting scheme
Purpose of scheme
The scheme has been issued by the Presiding Officer under Standing Orders Rule 11.5A – Proxy Voting.
The scheme may be varied by the Presiding Officer at any time, in consultation with the Parliamentary Bureau and the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.
Arrangements for a proxy and further information
A Member must send all emails relating to the arrangement of a proxy vote from their own email account. Please note that another person emailing on the Member’s behalf will not be accepted for any of the arrangements relating to the designation, variation, withdrawal or temporary withdrawal of a proxy.
Any queries about the scheme should be directed, in the first instance, to the office of the Presiding Officer (at [email protected]) copied to the Business Team (at [email protected]).
Designation of a proxy
A Member can designate any other Member as their proxy. A Member can only designate one proxy at a time.
A Member can be designated as a proxy by a maximum of two other Members.
Designation of a proxy must be made by the Member from their Parliamentary email account by 10.00am on any day there is a meeting of the Parliament during which votes will be held for which a Member wishes to designate a proxy. Designations should set out the anticipated duration of a proxy.
Designations must be made to the office of the Presiding Officer (at [email protected]) copied to the Business Team (at [email protected]).
Following receipt of any designations, Presiding Officer will direct Parliamentary officials to verify that—
- Member A wishes to designate Member B as their proxy
- Member B agrees to be designated as proxy for Member A and does not hold more than one other proxy
- both Member A and Member B have read and agree to the terms of the scheme.
The responses from Members to Parliamentary officials seeking to verify the arrangement must be sent from Members’ Parliamentary email account. This verification procedure will ensure that there can be no dubiety about the agreement of the Members concerned to act in accordance with the terms of this scheme.
Variation or withdrawal of proxies
A Member cannot vote if they have an arrangement for a proxy vote in place. In the event that a Member varies or withdraws their proxy, it is the responsibility of the Member to inform their proxy of this.
A proxy cannot be varied or withdrawn once a vote has commenced.
Variation of a proxy
Where it becomes apparent that a designated proxy will no longer be able to participate in a meeting of the Parliament, a Member can designate another proxy up to 10am on the day of any meeting of the Parliament for which the proxy would apply. To do this, Members must follow the procedure set out above for the designation of a proxy and indicate the duration of the alternative arrangement.
The designation of an alternative proxy would be subject to the verification process set out above.
Withdrawal of a proxy
A Member who has designated a proxy may withdraw that designation at any point up to 10.00am on the day of any meeting of the Parliament at which the Member wishes to participate and cast their own vote. This withdrawal must be notified to the office of the Presiding Officer (at [email protected]) copied to the Business Team (at [email protected]).
Temporary withdrawal of a proxy
In the event that a Member who has designated a proxy wishes to participate and vote cast their own vote on a temporary basis, they must notify the office of the Presiding Officer (at [email protected]) copied to the Business Team (at [email protected]) by 10.00am on the day of any meeting of the Parliament at which that Member wishes to attend or cast their own vote and indicate the period of time for which they would like to temporarily withdraw the proxy.
Confirmation of proxies
To ensure transparency, where a proxy has been exercised in a vote, this will be recorded in the minute of the relevant meeting of the Parliament or of the Committee of the Whole Parliament.
Casting of votes
Proxy votes will be cast using the digital voting system. In the event the Member who holds a proxy (or proxies) is unable to use the digital voting system the Presiding Officer will invite the Member to indicate how it is being exercised following the conclusion of a vote and will direct the Clerk to record the vote before any other Points of Order on voting are taken.
Exercising the proxy vote and conduct
A Member who designates another Member as their proxy, places in that Member the highest degree of trust in carrying out one of the most fundamental rights granted to those who hold elected office.
It is the responsibility of the Member who has designated a proxy to make sure that their proxy is fully aware of when and how they wish their vote to be cast. A Member designated as a proxy will be expected to act in strict accordance with the request of the Member whose vote they are casting.
A Member designated as a proxy might cast their own vote one way and the proxy vote the other or may cast a proxy vote without casting their own vote at all.
Members are reminded of the requirements to treat other Members with courtesy and respect under the relevant provisions of the Members’ Code of Conduct and the Standing Orders, and any intentional misuse of a proxy vote could result in a breach of these requirements.
Application of the scheme
The scheme will apply in relation to any meeting of the Parliament or a Committee of the Whole Parliament.