LD 137 The final piece(s)

Last year and earlier this year I took the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill through the Parliament.

Amongst other things it gave votes to all those legally  resident in Scotland (for Holyrood and local elections that is - Westminster sets its own franchise) and yesterday I got my electoral registration form though the post with his leaflet inside.

Today I had an email from a constituent who had got his form and leaflet yesterday too.   He wanted to thank  the Scottish Government for taking these steps, which allowed him as an EU national to go on voting in the place he has made his home.

It was good to see long worked on plans coming to fruition and helping individuals  and of course the missing piece throughout the process was the question of whether we could achieve what is called a "super majority" for the bill which is required for a franchise change, as I recorded at the time. 

Fortunately the  missing pieces fell into place  (despite the Tories voting against) and the result is a wider, better franchise for the coming Scottish Parliament election which is now actually being rolled out.