The question is, that amendment S6M-13118.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-13118, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to the business programme, be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

The next question is, that motion S6M-13118, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to the business programme, be agreed to.

Motion agreed to,

That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for—

(a) Tuesday 7 May 2024—

delete

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

and insert

followed by Personal Statement: Humza Yousaf

3.00 pm Selection of First Minister

(b) Wednesday 8 May 2024—

delete

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands;
NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business

and insert

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands;
NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care;
Social Justice

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Implementing the Cass Review in Scotland

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Supporting Scotland’s Colleges

delete

5.10 pm Decision Time

and insert

5.35 pm Decision Time

(c) Thursday 9 May 2024—

delete

2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.30 pm Portfolio Questions:
Social Justice

followed by Ministerial Statement: 2024-25 Finance Update Following UK Government Spring Budget

followed by Scottish Government Business

and insert

2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.00 pm Appointment of Scottish Ministers

followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Data Protection and Digital Information Bill - UK Legislation

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

The next item of business is a personal statement by Humza Yousaf. There should be no interventions or interruptions.

The next item of business is the selection of the Parliament’s nominee as First Minister. A note explaining the procedures that will be followed this afternoon has been made available to members.

I have received four valid nominations for the selection of the Parliament’s nominee for First Minister, which I will now announce in alphabetical order. They are Alex Cole-Hamilton, Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar and John Swinney. I will ask each nominee to speak in support of their candidacy for up to five minutes. There should be no interventions or interruptions.

After the nominees have spoken, members will be asked to cast their vote for their preferred candidate. A separate vote will be called for each candidate, and members can vote only once. Once all voting has been completed, any member who has not yet voted will be invited to cast a vote to abstain. There will be a short suspension while the result is verified, and I will then announce the results of voting.

A candidate will be elected if an overall majority is obtained. If no majority is obtained, the candidate or candidates with the smallest number of votes will be eliminated. I ask members to note that, if we have a vote between only two candidates, all that is required is a simple majority for one of the candidates to be elected. Members might wish to record an abstention; no account of those votes will be taken in establishing whether a simple majority has been achieved. We will then proceed to a further round of voting.

The vote is closed.

The next vote is for Anas Sarwar. Only members who wish to cast their vote for Anas Sarwar should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote. Members who wish to vote for Anas Sarwar should vote yes now.

Members voted.

Thank you, Ms Gougeon. We will ensure that your vote is recorded.

Thank you, Ms Haughey. I can confirm that your vote was recorded.

That concludes the votes for all candidates. The next vote is for any members who have not yet voted and who wish to record an abstention. Members who wish to abstain should press their yes button now.

Members voted.

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-13118, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to the business programme.

Motion moved,

That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for—

(a) Tuesday 7 May 2024—

delete

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

and insert

followed by Personal Statement: Humza Yousaf

3.00 pm Selection of First Minister

(b) Wednesday 8 May 2024—

delete

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands;
NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business

and insert

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands;
NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care;
Social Justice

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Implementing the Cass Review in Scotland

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Supporting Scotland’s Colleges

delete

5.10 pm Decision Time

and insert

5.35 pm Decision Time

(c) Thursday 9 May 2024—

delete

2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.30 pm Portfolio Questions:
Social Justice

followed by Ministerial Statement: 2024-25 Finance Update Following UK Government Spring Budget

followed by Scottish Government Business

and insert

2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.00 pm Appointment of Scottish Ministers

followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Data Protection and Digital Information Bill - UK Legislation

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill—[George Adam.]

I call Douglas Ross to speak to and move amendment S6M-13118.1.

I call George Adam to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau.