Chamber and committees

Yes, I agree that anything that interferes with the election process is wrong and that we should ensure that we make it as safe as possible for everyone to fill in their ballot paper. That is part of the reason why we want to have legislation of our own for those processes. As I said to Ms White, that is why we are looking at the issue and waiting to see what comes from it.

As my official has said, the current system is archaic, so we need to find a way to modernise it—that might be part of the bill. I cannot tell you what will be in the bill because we obviously have to consult people first.

I think—

That would be an extreme event. I am not a betting man, but I would not bet on that happening. That is an extreme example of a possible problem, and we feel pretty comfortable that we can get everything in place before our next major electoral event.

As I told Ms White, and as I said during my opening remarks, we will consult during 2022 and introduce the bill in 2023. That will give us ample time to ensure that we have everything in place for the next Scottish election.

I understand, convener. It is purely that my colleagues and I have been living this for the past six months, so we just—

Mr Mountain, as the Minister for Parliamentary Business, in our chamber of minorities, I would have difficulty getting voter ID passed.

I am not making judgments, but I think that the Conservatives would probably be the only party that would support such an idea. There are issues that we fundamentally disagree on, and I think that I can draw a line and say that there is no feel for voter ID in the Scottish Parliament.

It is not as simple as giving a yes or no answer. I have said that we will look at the process and at ensuring that we can incorporate something in our bill once we have consulted everyone. Mr Mountain, there is a process. I may be a St Mirren supporter and our colours may be black and white, but unfortunately the world is not black and white—there is a grey bit in the middle, and we must ensure that we can get things done and go forward. In answer to the question, the matter will be considered as part of our election reform bill.

I am not opposed to the moves in the bill on that issue. We have already said that we intend to consult in 2022 and to introduce a bill in 2023, and that we would consider the matter. However, in discussions that we have had, we have found that the issue is not as serious as others have said it is. Nonetheless, we are not opposed to introducing legislation on it. We are happy to consider the matter and, possibly, to make it part of the bill that we will introduce.

As I said in response to the original question, there are many parts to this. We do not believe that we have a monopoly on genius or ideas, but we do believe that there are different ways forward. We all live in a digital world. Our legislation was for the electoral process itself. We all live in a digital world and we know what goes on within various internet providers and on social media. We would look at ways of modernising that. Although I am not prejudging it, I assume that that will probably be one of the things that will be highlighted when we go to consultation. I am happy to bring Iain Hockenhull in if there is anything else to add.

I gave the example of how I have interacted with the UK Government on the situation. I have some concern that, further down the line, the statement might create the scenario that you describe, convener, because the UK Government’s attitude seems to be that things must be done how it wants them to be done or not at all.

I will bring in one of my officials to tidy that up for you.

I do not think so—I think that we have covered just about everything. Perhaps Penny Curtis or Iain Hockenhull has something to add.