ABSTRACT
The article analyses plenary voting in the first year of the Scottish Parliament, examining levels of cohesion and participation, as well as the coalitions that have formed within the chamber. Cohesion appears low until the data are made (roughly) comparable with Westminster, at which point cohesion in three of the parties appears on a par with that seen at Westminster. The exception is the Liberal Democrats, who see rebellions in 20 per cent of votes. Participation rates, though, are much higher than at Westminster: more than eight out of ten MSPs attend at least eight out of ten votes. There are no noticeable differences between the parties, once we take into account the different demands of government and opposition. But there is little evidence of ‘consensus’ building in the chamber, outside of the formal coalition that exists.
