McArthur announces candidacy for Presiding Officer

Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur has today announced his intention to stand for the role of Presiding Officer (PO) in the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament.

The vote to elect a new PO is expected to take place this Thursday 14 May after MSPs have been sworn in. Mr McArthur previously served as Deputy Presiding Officer last session alongside Annabelle Ewing and under outgoing PO Alison Johnstone.

Commenting further after the announcement, which was made in an email to MSP colleagues, Mr 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.”