How Holyrood bosses are planning a ‘hybrid’ Scottish Parliament

Holyrood bosses will seek to introduce a “hybrid Parliament” in the coming weeks as MSPs adapt to the restriction in numbers inside the current building.

MSPs social distancing with every second seat removed.

Just 79 MSPs can sit in the new socially distanced Parliament, but a new “merged” set-up will see others allowed to participate online and vote remotely as the institution adapts to the coronavirus pandemic.

“What we haven’t quite done is merge the two which we will be doing in the next week or so, hence this idea of a hybrid Parliament,” said Ken Macintosh.

“For a full hybrid Parliament which treats every member equitably, you’re essentially running two chambers simultaneously. The real, in person chamber, and the virtual chamber.

“You have to have them both together.”

Much legislation in recent weeks has been widely agreed, but problems may emerge with this system when issues become contentious add voting splits down party lines.

Macintosh added: “You have to be absolutely confident. There are lots of ‘off the shelf’ voting systems, but you have to make sure that this is a robust, secure, identifiable, authenticated vote that you are taking to the count.

“When we come to the stage of a series of running votes, that’s a formidable obstacle to overcome. We’re currently wrestling with that. But it’s important that we do because otherwise you treat members inequitably.”