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Scottish Elections 2007

I thank the hon. Gentleman for recognising the appropriate qualifications that Mr Gould brought to the job. Nobody reading the report can say that it is not robust and challenging; it has 120 pages. However, it is perfectly clear from the hon. Gentleman's contribution from the Dispatch Box that he has not had the opportunity to read them all yet—[Interruption.]—or to absorb them all. I caution the hon. Gentleman about quoting discrete parts of the report out of context, even though I am about to do just that to give the House an example of the danger of doing so—he may want to take particular note. I shall quote one sentence, from page 120:"““Almost without exception, the voter was treated as an afterthought by virtually all the other stakeholders.””" The hon. Gentleman's party falls within the definition ““all the other stakeholders””—[Interruption.] ... The Conservative party's response makes my point. If you are going to comment on the report—[Hon. Members: ““We.””] If one is going to comment on the report, one should at least take the time and trouble to read all of it. Moreover, it would help if hon. Members had listened to Ron Gould when he introduced the report and was asked the very questions that lie behind the observations. In response to a particular question, he said:"““So I don't think I would absolve any party””." He was asked about gerrymandering and said:"““'Party self-interest' in this context is not necessarily related to one party.””" It behoves us all as the political classes—[Interruption.] ... Despite the endeavours of the hon. Gentleman and no doubt others, I am focusing on making sure that what happened will not happen again. The response that I have given today will, I think, ensure that it will never happen again, because I anticipate that the Scottish Parliament will exercise its power to decouple the elections. However, it chose not to exercise that power before these elections; it kept them together. To return to the report, Mr. Gould made clear what the phrase that the hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell) relies on so heavily actually means. Mr. Gould had the opportunity to single out individuals, but he does not call for anyone to resign. He says that no was being singled out for blame. These were complex issues. People acted in good faith and we have to move forward.