MSPs call for views on political participation in Scotland ahead of plans to widen franchise

The Scottish Parliament has called for views on political participation in Scotland ahead of plans to extend the electoral franchise.

The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee has launched a call for views on the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill, introduced to parliament last month, which aims to widen voting rights to include all nationalities with the right to live in Scotland.

The bill also extends candidacy rights for Scottish Parliament and local government elections to foreign nationals, as well as extending the right to vote to some prisoners.

With the committee considering the bill, MSPs have called for evidence on the effect it might have on political participation in Scotland.

Committee convener Bill Kidd said: “Although the bill before us is small, its ambition is clear.  By extending the right of who can stand in Scottish Parliament and local government elections, it is aiming to increase diversity and of course political participation.

“But we want to hear about how this would work in practice and whether this change really will have an impact on who gets involved in politics.”