Europe Decides

As many predicted, the Scottish Parliament election was just the start of the process for the formation of the new Scottish Executive. However, not many of us could have foreseen the chaos that took place with the ballots on the day. Around 100,000 ballots were spoilt as voters attempted to get to grips with the different voting systems for local and national government.

Leaving the high number of spoilt ballots aside, the results have not left us with a definitive answer. The Scottish National Party (SNP) are the largest party – but only by one seat – a seat which could be contested by Labour in a legal challenge (Cunninghame North).

This gives the SNP the right to form the next administration but their aspirations for building a coalition have been dampened by the decision by the Lib Dems not to support a party which is in favour of a referendum on Independence. A coalition between the other parties and the SNP is out of the question. Thus, we find ourselves in the position of the SNP pushing ahead with plans for a minority administration with only 47 out of 129 seats.

What is the implication for government in Scotland? It is my opinion that, should Alex Salmond be voted in as First Minister before 30th May, the key for an SNP minority administration will not be in the legislation introduced to the Parliament but in the allocation of the Budget, the day-to-day decisions taken by Scottish Ministers and their accountability to the Parliament. The constant threat of a ‘No Confidence’ vote has the potential to induce paralysis in the mechanics of Scottish government. Losing a vote on an Independence Referendum could produce just that.