Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the news that the Crofting Commission will select its new Convener in a secret ballot from the current pool of remaining Commissioners and hailed it as a victory for democracy.

The secret ballot will be overseen by the Crofting Commission’s Chief Executive with the successful candidate taking up the post until 31 March 2017, which will cover the remainder of the period of tenure for the current Board.

Mr Thompson said, “I welcome the news that the new Convenor of the Crofting Commission will be chosen in a secret ballot by the existing pool of Commissioners.

Although, the Minister reserves the right not to delegate this task in future, I think this was the correct thing to do in this instance and is a victory for democracy.

I look forward to the Convenor being announced and wish them all the best in their new role”.

Note:

This delegation arrangement is permitted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Crofting (Scotland) Act 1993, as amended. The delegation of the selection of the Convener on this occasion would not be a precedent and it will be open for Scottish Ministers to appoint, or to choose to delegate, in the future.