Supermajority

I have been taking through the Parliament , in my role as the Cab Sec with responsibility for elections , a bill which will extend the franchise to all those legally resident in Scotland and resolve the long running issue of prisoner voting , a blanket ban on which is against ECHR.

This is the first bill in the Scottish Parliament to change any aspect of the franchise, something that requires a super majority - that is two thirds of all MSPs.

It was also the first supermajority ever needed at Holyrood and I am glad to say that at today’s final stage we achieved 92 votes in favour, six more than the threshold of 86. Indeed only the Tories — a drag on progressive constitutional change on every occasion, - voted against.

This is my voting sheet which people who follow my blips will know I sometimes record at significant Parliamentary moments , like today.