A SECOND CHAMBER FOR THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT?

In the light of renewed interest about a second chamber for the Scottish Parliament, this paper (a revised version of one first published in 2003) discusses the reasons why such a chamber might be thought necessary, in particular protection from the 'tyranny of the majority'; the roles played by a second chamber in initiating as well as revising and reviewing legislation; and representing a territory's constituent regions. The paper next analyses how such 'second chamber functions' are currently discharged in the Scottish Parliament, suggesting that these are not yet adequate or sufficiently strong. The paper concludes by assessing the form a second chamber might take, including its size, its election/appointment, and qualifications for membership.