SNP MSP Stuart McMillan joins presiding officer race

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has confirmed his bid to become the next presiding officer.

McMillan – the Scottish Parliament’s official piper – is the third contender for the role, with Lib Dem Liam McArthur and the SNP’s Kenneth Gibson also having entered the race.

A hustings is expected to take place for MSPs today.

McMillan said: “I have considered the role of presiding officer very carefully in recent days and after discussions with some colleagues, I am pleased to announce I am seeking to become presiding officer for this parliamentary session.

“The presiding officer is clearly a figurehead for the Scottish Parliament and the role brings a great deal of responsibility promoting the parliament.

“I believe I have the qualities and experience to undertake those duties.”

McMillan has been an MSP since 2007 and was re-elected to serve Inverclyde last week in a result that stymied Malcolm Offord’s chance of winning the constituency for Reform UK.

Alison Johnstone sat as presiding officer in session six, supported by Orkney MSP McArthur and the SNP’s Annabelle Ewing as deputies.

The postholder is required to be impartial and gives up their party whip, chairing meetings and selecting queries to be asked at First Minister’s Questions.

Johnstone’s tenure saw her represent the parliament on the death of the Queen and coronation of the King.

MSPs are expected to select the new PO tomorrow. The decision is key to unlocking further essential business, including the appointment of the next first minister.

McMillan, who worked for IBM before entering politics, was convenor of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee during the last term and has held various other parliamentary positions, including membership of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints, which looked into the Sturgeon administration’s treatment of allegations against Alex Salmond.

A source close to McMillan told Holyrood a “firm, fair hand” will be required in this parliamentary term, which includes a large intake of new MSPs who must learn the rules.

Two previous presiding officers have come from SNP ranks: George Reid and Tricia Marwick.

One PO has come from each of the Lib Dems (David Steel), the Conservatives (Alex Fergusson) and Labour (Ken Macintosh).

Announcing his bid, McArthur said: “It has been the privilege of my life to represent Orkney in the Scottish Parliament over the past 19 years. My responsibility to constituents and our island community has been and will remain my priority over the next five years.

“However, after careful reflection, many discussions with colleagues, friends and my family, I have decided to put my name forward for election as the next presiding officer. I believe I have the experience, skills and temperament for this important role and, crucially, that I can carry out those responsibilities while remaining an accessible and effective MSP for Orkney.

“I am under no illusions about the challenges that face all those elected to this session of parliament. I am ready to play my full part in enabling parliament to rise to those challenges and hope that MSP colleagues across the parties will put their trust in me in the vote on Thursday afternoon.”

In his email to MSPs, McMillan vowed to introduce “firmer control” over points of order during debates and strengthen committees by cutting the number of rejected amendments that are brought back at stage three of scrutiny.

He said: “Returning colleagues across the chamber will, I hope, recognise my ability to step beyond party-political debate when required — an essential quality for any presiding officer.

“As members representing six political parties, we hold different policies, priorities and beliefs. In a healthy democracy, we should be able to challenge one another robustly while maintaining mutual respect.”