Further to yesterday’s blog about the suddenly-announced two week delay to the Rural Affairs Committee’s deliberations over the Stage 2 amendments of the Wildlife Management & Muirburn Bill (here), an explanation for this delay has now been provided.
And it’s pretty unconvincing, to be honest.
The Convenor of the Rural Affairs & Islands Committee, Finlay Carson MSP (Scottish Conservatives) opened this morning’s meeting by explaining to Committee members that he’d taken the decision to defer due to ‘the weather’.
He felt that as one or two Committee members weren’t able to attend in person, he didn’t want to risk running a hybrid meeting (where members who couldn’t attend in person could attend online) because of the ‘challenges and risks’ that would bring to proceedings.
This explanation was seen as unsatisfactory by two SNP Committee members, Alasdair Allan MSP and Jim Fairlie MSP, who spoke about how hybrid meetings had become common practice since Covid, and indeed that other Committees have managed to handle Stage 2 proceedings perfectly well using this system.
Both SNP members chose their words carefully and clearly wanted it on record that the decision to defer for two weeks was not made by the Committee, but by Finlay Carson alone, as is his prerogative as Convenor. Indeed, both SNP members said the decision had come as a surprise to them and registered their dissatisfaction with the decision.
Alasdair Allan asked for the decision to be taken to a vote by the whole Committee:
“Can I suggest we move to a vote on whether we revert to the original agenda or not?“
Finlay Carson replied:
“That’s not competent. Thank you. We’ll move on…“
That was the end of the discussion and proceedings moved on to an entirely different topic.
If you want to watch this four minute discussion you can see it on the Rural Affairs Committee’s slot on Parliamentary TV (here), starts at 9.06am.
It was interesting to note that as far as I could see, just two Committee members weren’t present at the meeting – Beatrice Wishart MSP (Liberal Democrats & Deputy Convenor of this Committee) and Rachael Hamilton MSP (Scottish Conservatives).
Beatrice Wishart hasn’t played an especially prominent role in this Bill’s proceedings to date but blood sports enthusiast Rachael Hamilton has, and, like her fellow Conservative MSP Finlay Carson, has not been reticent about expressing her fundamental objection to the general principles of the Bill. Indeed, I’d argue she’s been one of the Bill’s fiercest critics (as is her right), at least on this Committee.
Hmm.
Was this huge disruption to Parliamentary proceedings triggered by Rachael’s unavailability? I do wonder.
The good news about this two-week delay is that next week, REVIVE, the Scottish Raptor Study Group and the RSPB are holding a joint reception in the Scottish Parliament which will provide an excellent, and timely, opportunity for MSPs to receive further briefings from those of us who support this Bill and who want some of the more potentially damaging amendments voted down.
Nice.
Raptor Persecution UK 
In my opinion, Finlay Carson’s ‘explanation’ was totally unconvincing.
I agree.
There were only two absent Committee members – it would not have been ‘challenging’ or ‘risky’ for them to join the meeting online and nor would it have disrupted proceedings.
I live in Galloway where we are represented by Carson. The action is typical of his behaviour – self interest trumps all.
Bearing in mind your last comment it looks like the wrangling by the pro blood sports MSP’s may backfire on them.
In the light of next week’s reception, maybe it’s an ill wind …
But arrogant decision, nonetheless
It sounds like a desperate move just to appease Hamilton, then, for some reason. I wonder if Hamilton feels she cannot ‘properly’ handle remote Committee sessions? Or… Carson is playing for time, for some other reason?
I wonder if there are Committee rules (Standing Orders?) which prevent this being played out on a ‘rinse and repeat’ cycle?
My display name changed autonomously to “kgdancey” with this new version of WordPress. I have re-set it back to Keith Dancey, which is my real name.
Consider this both info and a test, as to whether the re-setting has worked:-)
It strikes me that this is an insight into why Conservative Party members involved with Blood Sports in general, and ecological and environmental protection in particular. They are widely mistrusted in any guidelines or laws in this field, new or otherwise. Be it erecting illegal forms of “No Tressess” signs and on and the through dodgy trail hunts and the disregard of muir murning guidelines. There has also beenthe continuation of raptor persecutionv on Driven Grouse Moor Estates since it was made illlegal over 75 years ago with the job descriptions of any of these criminals who were convicted being gamekeepers,
The blood sport representatiuves are not a body that I would like to have any dealings with as rathgher than look for the best answer for ALL INVOLVED thhey promote, iun my opinionh, only the interests of the wealthhy few and those who might depend on them for emloyment, homes and other living essentyials and, in reality have little choice but do, I admit, make more noise than their numbers might suggest.
It would be nice if our Representatives could be there in force with any heavyweights who they might encourage to help along.
Isn’t it odd that they feel so secure in their power that as a small minority this xxxxx xxxxx can disruopt the workings of a functional and healthy democracy by some hardly visible or credible, reason that I feel, unless it had been in the interests of Scotland’s most powerful men, would ahve been inbnstantly thrown out as the Committee carried out it’s legimate business.
Let’s make a stushee!
Due to the weather: a rather pathetic excuse in this day and age with the technology available.
‘Two SNP Committee members, Alasdair Allan MSP and Jim Fairlie MSP, spoke about how hybrid meetings had become common practice since Covid, and indeed that other Committees have managed to handle Stage 2 proceedings perfectly well using this system’. Well done them for saying so.
So what was the real problem doing it this way for this very important Bill?
Someone bowing to the minority as is often the case it seems these days, or another higher power possibly?
On the day of the meeting there were no weather warnings , road closures , road works or police travel warnings or restrictions. Nor were there any bridge closures. The rain was light , as were the winds. So what was stopping hamilton exactly? She appears to have managed to get out and about elsewhere just fine , going by her facebook page.