MSPs agree in principle to move 2020 Holyrood elections to avoid clash with Westminster
![MSPs agree in principle to move 2020 Holyrood elections to avoid clash with Westminster](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/91cb73bca688114fefed773f2/images/87a4d3e5-c9b8-4604-8f04-094bc8b006a7.jpg)
MSPs have agreed in principle to legislation that would prevent elections at Westminster and Holyrood from clashing in 2020.
The next UK general election will take place on 7 May 2020 – the same day as the elections at the Scottish Parliament. However, MSPs have agreed to move the Scottish elections to 6 May 2021.
Council elections in Scotland will also be moved, to 5 May 2022.
Members of the Scottish Parliament will require to prevent any such clash occurring in the future.
Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick said: “This short bill presents a straightforward and pragmatic solution to the issue of a clash of election dates.”
Westminster has granted MSPs the power to make the change but further devolution will see this power vest in the Scottish Parliament in the future.