MSPs call for urgent talks to prevent election date clash

Published on Friday 14 May 2010 10:49

HOLYROOD politicians have called for urgent talks with the new UK government to prevent Westminster and Scottish Parliament elections being held on the same day.

The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition deal includes a fixed five-year term for Westminster, with the next general election set for the first Thursday in May 2015.

However, that is the same day already laid down for the next-but-one elections for Holyrood, which operates fixed four-year terms.

The Scottish Parliament brought in legislation to "de-couple" Holyrood and council elections which used to be held on the same day, but now MSPs fear a Holyrood and Westminster election on the same day would mean voter confusion and the overshadowing of the Scottish Parliament contest.

Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald said: "Untold damage would be done to the status and accountability of the Scottish Parliament. All parties have an interest in preventing the two elections being held on the same day."

Edinburgh North & Leith Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm said: "We have seen the wall-to-wall coverage a UK election gets – the Scottish Parliament would be completely overshadowed."

In addition, the boundaries for the Holyrood and Westminster seats are different.

If the UK coalition goes ahead with plans to reform the voting system, it could mean voters using three different systems on the same day – the first past the post system for Holyrood constituencies, the additional member system to select regional top-up members, and the Alternative Vote for Westminster MPs.

Mr Chisholm said: "It doesn't bear thinking about."

CAMERON COMES TO CAPITAL

DAVID Cameron was in Edinburgh today on his first visit to Scotland as Prime Minister.

He was due to hold talks with First Minister Alex Salmond, who is pressing for a 700 million boost for Scotland, including 350m of accelerated spending, the return of 180m in fossil fuel levy which is held by the Treasury and 165m he says Scotland is due under the Barnett formula from spending on the Olympics.

Mr Cameron has repeatedly insisted he will govern Scotland "with respect".