Strange voting habits in the Scottish Parliament

One of the strangest things you will see in parliament is opposition parties who ask for changes to a Bill, get them agreed, then vote against them.

- WILLIE COFFEY MSP FOR KILMARNOCK AND IRVINE VALLEY

But that’s what happened last week when the parliament agreed our new Education Bill.

A new qualifications body Qualifications Scotland has been established, replacing the SQA along with a new independent education inspectorate.

The new organisations are about creating the right conditions for reform to flourish, making sure that the knowledge and experience of teachers and pupils are at the heart of our national qualifications.

But lo and behold. Labour asked for over 50 amendments and got them agreed only to vote against them minutes later when the Bill was voted on. The Tories were the same. Both these parties got a number of amendments agreed then voted against them becoming part of the Bill.