Introduce Recording and Publication of MSP Attendance and Constituency Activity
- 3 Signatures
At present, MSPs are not obliged to attend Parliament, and no central attendance records are kept. Attendance is managed privately by party whips, whose lists are not published. Constituency activity is left to each MSP’s discretion, with no independent measure of workload distribution or engagement. Committee minutes do record attendance, proving that such transparency is possible, yet chamber attendance and constituency casework remain hidden. This leaves constituents unable to verify whether their representatives are present and active, even as MSPs may hold second jobs, deliver paid talks, or cite overwhelming correspondence. The House of Lords recently revealed that over 100 peers failed to meet minimum attendance thresholds, underlining the risks of leaving attendance unenforced. Scotland has an opportunity to lead by example by adopting a modern, evidence based transparency model that records MSP attendance, constituency surgeries, and casework activity, and publishes this annually to strengthen accountability and public trust.
In the 2025 Scottish Government's Right to Decide document, First Minister John Swinney wrote: "I urge everyone, whatever their views on our ultimate destiny as a nation, to ensure that the people of Scotland's right to decide is respected, not just in words but in actions."
Accordingly, Respect Scottish Sovereignty petitions the Parliament to conduct a Peoples' Assembly on the democratic right of the sovereign people of Scotland to determine their own future, fulfilling Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: "All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development".
The Scottish Government has convened two Citizens’ Assemblies previously. The Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May 2026 election produced the largest ever majority of independence supporting parties. It is time for Scottish citizens to drive the constitutional conversation via a People's Assembly.
Introduce a self-application process for Non-Harassment Orders
- 278 Signatures
People experiencing harassment in Scotland have no accessible route to obtain a Non-Harassment Order (NHO) unless they can afford a solicitor or qualify for legal aid. With no statutory timescales, the current process is lengthy and expensive, leaving individuals vulnerable at times of escalating risk.
Many people experience persistent unwanted and intimidating contact that is harmful and causes significant distress. During early reporting, Police Scotland may record incidents and issue warnings, however, this can leave individuals feeling more vulnerable as these actions do not create legally enforceable boundaries. NHO’s can provide civil protection at an early stage to prevent escalation.
England and Wales offer a free and timely self-application route for Non-Molestation Orders but Scotland has no equivalent.
Introducing a free, self-application process would strengthen Scotland's response to violence against women and girls and support psychological wellbeing by giving victims clear legal boundaries and a reliable route to safety.
Accelerate a Unified NHS Scotland Patient Record System, Share Data and Save Lives
- 480 Signatures
NHS Scotland remains digitally fragmented, with different health boards using different systems. For patients with complex, rare or life-threatening conditions, whose care may involve specialists and hospitals across several regions, access to complete and current medical information is critical.
My late daughter Sarah was treated by 7 hospitals across 3 NHS regions during her illness with a rare non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Sarah was failed by the system, information was not shared, mistakes happened and her life taken too soon.
But this is bigger than my family's experience. Clinicians should not rely on phone calls, emails, letters or manual transfers to piece together vital information held elsewhere in NHS Scotland.
Until Scotland has a mandatory unified, interoperable system where authorised clinicians can securely access the information they need, interim measures are urgently required. These will help to reduce delays, improve continuity of care and protect patients from avoidable harm.
Strengthen safety protections for residents near pest bird shooting
- 75 Signatures
Residents of Baberton Mains, Edinburgh, have experienced repeated pest bird shooting close to residential properties every summer for several years. The shooting is extremely loud and can begin early in the morning and continue into evening, seriously disturbing residents and affecting their ability to peacefully enjoy their homes and gardens.
The area is an established residential community, separated from farmland by the A720 bypass. Residents have found pellets in their gardens and dead birds close to homes. Children and animals are frightened by the sudden gunshots.
Residents have contacted Police Scotland, the council and NatureScot repeatedly. NatureScot confirmed that the General License for Birds (GL02) may permit pest bird shooting during daylight hours, but there is no statutory minimum distance from residential properties. It referred to British Association for Shooting and Conservation guidance recommending a safety zone of up to 275 metres in the direction of fire.
We believe stronger, clearer protections are needed for communities living close to pest bird shooting.
Include perimenopause and menopause education in Scotland’s school curriculum
- 321 Signatures
Perimenopause and menopause are major stages of women’s health, yet many people reach adulthood with little or no understanding of what they are, when they can begin, or the wide range of physical and emotional symptoms they can cause. This lack of education can leave women frightened, confused and unprepared, and may contribute to symptoms being misunderstood or dismissed when women seek help. Introducing age-appropriate education in schools would help normalise conversations around menopause, reduce stigma, improve awareness and give young people knowledge they can carry throughout life. It would help future generations recognise symptoms earlier, understand when to seek support and feel more confident explaining what they are experiencing. It would also help partners, families and wider society better understand and support women. Education should come before women reach this stage of life, not only once they are already struggling.
Introduce statutory regulation and protection of title for electricians in Scotland
- 558 Signatures
Electrical safety is fundamental to protecting people, homes and businesses. However, there is currently no statutory regulation of electricians in Scotland and the title “electrician” is not protected or defined in legislation.
Currently. anyone can describe themselves as an electrician without demonstrating they hold appropriate qualifications, skills or experience. This creates risks for consumers and public safety, as poorly carried out electrical work can result in serious harm and financial consequences.
As Scotland moves towards net zero, electrical technologies and systems will play an increasingly important role in meeting future government policy objectives. Ensuring electrical work is carried out by appropriately qualified and competent professionals is therefore more important than ever.
We are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce statutory regulation and protection of title, providing greater consumer confidence, improving safety and ensuring electricians meet appropriate standards of competence.
Full review of the mental health system to include both Adult and Child services
- 377 Signatures
My partner Luke Henderson died by suicide in December 2017 after asking for help up to eight times in the week before his death. I feel mental health services and the risk assessment failed Luke in his hour of need.
Luke’s situation is not unique and so many people feel let down and failed by the current mental health services. With every loss to suicide there is a family trying to pick up the pieces and understand that loss. There are families whose loved ones have tried to access mental health services prior to their deaths and were turned away with no help, resulting in them taking their own life.
With so many people slipping through the crack, we want a fit for purpose mental health service to ensure no other families feel this pain.
The review should also look at the process for people who died by suicide and had been in contact with mental health service within seven days prior to their death, and support services for families who lost a loved one to suicide.
This petition arises from my experience following the death of my gran, whom I believe was failed during her hospital care. I pursued my concerns through the NHS complaints process and the SPSO but was left without the clear acknowledgment I had hoped for. I was not seeking compensation or punishment. I wanted someone to say, “We got it wrong, and this is what we have changed as a result.”
My experience has raised wider concerns about whether NHS complaints provide families with meaningful accountability when care falls below expected standards. I am particularly concerned about the independence of investigations, whether families receive clear findings, how learning is demonstrated, and whether there is sufficient independent oversight of the Duty of Candour.
My gran meant the world to me. I cannot change what happened to her, but I hope her experience can help improve the system for other families.
The judgment was delivered by the highest court in the UK and concerns the fundamental right to a fair trial. The then Lord Advocate confirmed that its implications extend to cases dating back to 2013, and the SCCRC established a dedicated review process. Through two national surveys involving almost 200 families, and engagement with criminal defence solicitors, King's Counsel and academics, JIMS has found that uncertainty regarding the implications of the judgment is not limited to affected families, making it difficult for many to obtain clear and consistent advice on whether the judgment affects their case, how the SCCRC review process operates and any steps that they should take. In our view, a judgment of the UK’s highest court concerning the fundamental right to a fair trial should be accompanied by sufficient clarity to enable affected individuals and those advising them to understand its implications and the available review process.