Official Report 378KB pdf
09:33
Our second agenda item is consideration of a legislative consent memorandum, lodged by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government. The memorandum relates to the Representation of the People Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 12 February 2026.
The memorandum sets out that the Scottish Government agrees with the United Kingdom Government that certain provisions in the bill engage the legislative consent process in relation to registration of voters, conduct of elections, campaigns and political expenditure, and enforcement and the Electoral Commission.
The Scottish Government’s position on specific clauses is set out in the memorandum. The Scottish Government has not set out a position in the memorandum on legislative consent, on the basis that
“The policy and legal analysis required of the Bill is still ongoing, given the complexity of electoral law and the devolution settlement.”
The memorandum explains that the Scottish Government does not intend to lodge a motion on legislative consent in relation to the bill prior to the Scottish parliamentary election on 7 May 2026.
As no members have indicated that they wish to comment, are we content to note the memorandum at this point?
Members.
Excellent. We will note the memorandum, and I will now move this meeting into private session.
09:35
Meeting continued in private until 09:49.