Scottish Parliament Swears In 129 MSPs as 4 Candidates Vie for £136,112 Presiding Officer Role
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 14
Scottish Parliament Swears In 129 MSPs as 4 Candidates Vie for £136,112 Presiding Officer Role
11 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 14
129 MSPs, including 64 first-time members, were sworn in at Holyrood after last week’s election, pledging allegiance to the King by oath or affirmation.
The ceremony highlighted the chamber’s diversity: statements were delivered in languages including Scots, Gaelic, Hindi, Polish, Mandarin and French, while SNP MSP Karen Adam used sign language.
Four candidates are contesting the presiding officer post to replace former Green MSP Alison Johnstone, with members due to choose the winner and two deputies by secret ballot.
The presiding officer chairs debates, selects speakers and represents parliament, must quit party membership to take the neutral post, and earns £136,112; deputy roles pay £114,297.
Next week, MSPs will elect a first minister, with SNP leader John Swinney the clear favourite after his party’s comfortable Holyrood victory.
Will Holyrood’s bold new laws be blocked by Westminster, triggering a fresh constitutional crisis for Scotland?
Facing a £5bn deficit, can Scotland's new government deliver its costly promises without drastic cuts or tax hikes?