Monarchy to be hot topic at Holyrood

DIVISIONS in the Yes Scotland camp over the monarchy will be laid bare in parliament today when Alex Salmond proposes a motion praising the Queen.

MSPs will mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by debating the motion proposed by the First Minister and supported by the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders.

The motion expresses the parliament’s “gratitude” for the Queen’s “exceptional public service and unwavering dedication to duty”.

It goes on to “affirm the respect that is held for Her Majesty in Scotland and looks forward to the continuation of that long and close relationship”.

However, the wording of the motion will not sit easily with those in the parliament, including SNP MSPs Roseanna Cunningham and Christine Grahame, who believe that an independent Scotland should dispense with the monarchy.

Last night Patrick Harvie, the Green co-leader, was drafting an amendment to the motion in support of the notion of an elected head of state.

He said: “We want a debate that reflects fairly the range of views in the parliament and in society … I think [the monarchy] should be up for discussion.”