Seòmar agus comataidhean

I welcome that comment, given my particular interest in this area.

Do you have ideas about how we might establish more channels between our parties outside the existing parliamentary processes, which can be a bit laborious at times in terms of how long things take, in order to progress this discussion so that we can find the common ground that definitely exists?

So, the SNP does not have a particular position on that—it is entirely up to members.

There is no doubt about the levels of toxicity—perhaps less so in Parliament but certainly on social media. Some of the comments that people post are more than just mildly threatening or disconcerting. I think that that is true for women candidates in particular, because of the nature of the threats that are made against them.

Overall, however, in Rutherglen, the returning officer’s report was encouraging, was it not?

I have one more question about democratic engagement, which is on candidates. One thing that we talked to the Electoral Commission about, which will no doubt be part of our future discussions and debates on the electoral reform bill, was getting people to stand for election at any level of democratic representation. One concern that we discussed with the commission was the level of abuse, intimidation and threat experienced, particularly by women candidates.

Has the Government thought any more about that? I will say publicly that I was disappointed that the Electoral Commission did not really have much in the way of advanced thought on how to counteract that issue. I am deeply worried—I know that you will share this concern, minister—that some really good people who have so much to give in public service just will not do so in the current environment. They do not feel that they can put themselves forward, and we are losing so much talent from the democratic process.

Do you have, or does the Government have, any further thoughts on what we can do to take positive action to encourage people to stand and how we can take the necessary action to reduce the level of intimidation and threat?

Minister, I am interested in hearing a little bit more about why you think that we have that situation in Scotland—as you pointed out—whereby we are not faring as well in the completeness of registrations compared with other parts of the United Kingdom. According to the Electoral Commission, 600,000 to 1 million Scots have not registered. Can you elucidate a bit more about why that is the case? In your discussions with the Electoral Commission yesterday, did you get down to any deep whys?

I agree with you about our working relationship, and I am happy to put it on the official record that I like the minister personally.

I think that it is important that we have that stated very firmly.

The Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election was the first time that voter identification had been part of our voters’ electoral experience, and it went really well. The reports that have come from the returning officer for the by-election are very encouraging. We have exchanged views in the past about voter ID. Are you becoming more reassured that our voters in Scotland prize their vote and understand that showing a little bit of ID is fine?

That was Mid Bedfordshire.

Basically, there was a conversation between you and John-Paul Marks, the permanent secretary.