PRESIDING Office Kenny Gibson has announced a major overhaul of parliamentary business – with two First Minister’s Questions sessions set to take place each week rather than one.
After the election of six MSPs, one from each party, to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), Gibson told MSPs that he was elected on a mandate to “shake-up how we do things.
Gibson also said that there would be one session for backbench MSPs to put their questions to John Swinney on Tuesday, while party leaders would take their turn to probe the First Minister on Thursday.
He said that Labour and Reform leaders would alternate each week which party would act as the opposition, but for “devilment and to freshen things up” he might occasionally “reverse the order” and let the LibDems or Tories open the session.
Speaking to journalists following the announcement, Swinney said: "As somebody once said in this building, 'Bring it on'."
Setting out his proposals for the parliamentary week, Gibson told MSPs: “As you know, I was elected on a mandate to shake up how we do things, make government more accountable to Parliament, improve scrutiny and deliver more effectively for the people we represent. “Parliament needs renewal and re-engagement with independent, innovative, and open-minded leadership. That is of critical importance, and exactly what I will provide.
“The collegiate working anticipated in the 90s prior to devolution has not fully transpired.
“The status quo is not an option, and I'm keen to push at the boundaries of what's possible within my remit.”
Gibson added that he would “declutter and simplify” how MSPs work to make parliament more “official, topical and effective”.
“It's crucial to examine what we do, why we do it, and consider if we need to do better, if at all,” he added.
Setting out how parliamentary business will differ compared to the last term, Gibson said that during speeches time taken for interventions will be automatically added to “protect the time of speakers who most engage”, adding: “I believe this will encourage, embolden, and build confidence and experience in members.”
Gibson said that interventions should be “short and sharp” and that parties should be “flexible” in how their debating time is used with “the number of minutes each speaker is given varying according to interest and experience of individual members, rather than backbenchers being shoehorned into identically sized time slots”.
Adding that he enjoys a “boisterous chamber, within reason”, Gibson said that “courtesy does not have to be thrown out the window” and he will have “little patience” for hecklers.
FMQs will no longer be published in advance, and all will be taken from the floor of the chamber, Gibson added.
Next week’s FMQs, on Thursday, will be 45 minutes long, led by opposition leaders and followed by backbenchers, with three questions each from Labour, Reform UK and the Scottish Greens, while the Tories and LibDems will have two.
Noting that Labour and Reform would take turns at leading FMQs, Gibson added: “For devilment and to freshen things up, I might occasionally reverse the order with the Liberal Democrats opening, followed by the Conservatives, and so on. We shall see.”
Gibson added that after next week there will be a 30 minute session of FMQs on Tuesdays for backbenchers, with a 30 minute session on Thursdays for party leaders.
He added that if backbenchers let him know their questions in advance that will “enable a selection of more impactful questions, regardless of the lists submitted by whips”.
“Some FMQs will still be chosen randomly from members who press their buttons,” he added.
Gibson told MSPs that from the week beginning June 8, the Holyrood Chamber will convene from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and rather than 12pm on Thursdays, will start later at 1.30pm to allow more time for committee business in the morning.
General questions will increase from eight to 18 each week. Eight will be heard in one 25 minute session on Tuesdays before backbencher FMQs, and the other 10 in a 30 minute session ahead of leader FMQs on Thursdays.
Portfolio questions for Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers will cover two topics in 30 minute sessions of 10 questions, back to back from 2pm on Wednesdays.
Gibson also warned MSPs that he will “not allow valuable Chamber time” to be used up on matters that are “clearly not points of order”, an issue that occurred repeatedly during the last Holyrood session.
He added: “Many issues are still to be deliberated over, agreed, and brought forward, and in this I seek the help of all Members. We want this Parliament to be more impactful and effective.”
