What are Member's Motions?

Find out abou one of the ways MSYPs can influence SYP policy-making...

Summary

  • MSYP submits motion (preferably phrased as question)
  • Motions chosen for debate
  • Chosen motions are discussed at SYP Sitting
  • SYP policy is made

Introduced at the SYP’s Sitting in Hamilton in September 2008, Members’ Motions are intended to allow MSYPs to highlight issues which have come to their attention, either through their personal circumstances or through discussion with constituents.

It’s pretty simple really, in the run up to a Sitting MSYPs can propose a motion for the SYP to debate and form policy. The SYP’s Conveners Group will examine the suggestions they receive and look to accommodate these in the Sitting programme, the process should look a bit like this…

As soon after as possible

The SYP Conveners Group will decide on the topics to be put forward and MSYPs will be informed, to allow them to discuss with their constituents (locally or within their vol orgs).

Between then and Sitting

SYP staff will support the MSYPs who have proposed topics to put together some background information which will be sent to MSYPs as soon as it becomes available.

At the Sitting

MSYP who proposed the topic will give a short intro (no more than 5 mins) and the issue will be put to MSYPs to have a debate. When the Chair is satisfied that the issue has been discussed fully, it will be put to a vote and, dependent on the outcome, will become official SYP policy.

What can I submit?

In short, any issue that you think would be good for MSYPs to discuss and that you think we should have policy on! Previous Member's Motions have included...

  • "The SYP should get more involved in addressing knife crime in Scotland"
  • "Holocaust education should be made compulsory in secondary schools"
  • "The Edinburgh Tram Project should be scrapped"
  • "The SYP should support Quarriers "Condemned" campaign"
  • “Coroner’s Inquests should be introduced in Scotland”
  • “Large companies should be obliged to consider the social consequences of factory closures and the devastating effect that these can have on local economies.”

NOTE: In choosing the topics for debate, the Board will pay attention to existing SYP policy and it is therefore unlikely that something on which the SYP has recently formed an opinion will be accepted, unless new evidence can show the need to do so. If you are in doubt about whether your suggestions is appropriate, please contact the SYP office on 0131 313 2488 to discuss.