Official Report 549KB pdf
Non-Party Campaigner Campaign Expenditure (Scottish Parliament Elections) Code of Practice 2025 [Draft]
Our second item is consideration of a draft code of practice for non-party campaigners at the Scottish parliamentary elections and council elections in Scotland. Members will recall that we considered a draft of the code at our meeting on 6 November, as part of the consultation process that is required under the parent act. The document before us today was laid following the conclusion of that process.
This document is subject to the negative procedure and has been referred to the committee for scrutiny on policy grounds. For clarity on procedure, any MSP may propose, by motion, that the lead committee recommend that the document not be approved. If such a motion is lodged, it must be debated at a meeting of the committee, and the committee must then report to the Parliament. If there is no motion recommending that the document not be approved, the committee is not required to report on the document.
The committee is invited to consider whether there are any points that we would like to raise on the draft code of practice. As is set out in the accompanying note, the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee has identified two minor matters in relation to a reference in the code to the publication of consultation reports.
Is there anything that members would like to discuss before we move to the next part of the meeting?
Members: No.
I have only two concerns. The first is about the matters that our companion committee, the DPLR Committee, identified. Those need to be taken into account.
Secondly, with regard to the question of the consultation, there are wider questions that need to be looked at—probably after the election—with regard to guidance that is being given in respect of various matters.
Good morning, Emma. We are discussing the second item, which is on guidance and the code of practice. Do you want to make any comments?
I do not.
Fine. Are we content to note the document?
Members indicated agreement.
Excellent. I now move the meeting into private session.
09:32 Meeting continued in private until 10:15.