What are Cross-Party Groups?

Cross-Party Groups (CPGs) provide an opportunity for Members of all parties, outside organisations and members of the public to meet and discuss a shared interest in a particular cause or subject.

Applications for recognition as a CPG must be submitted to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee for approval and only those Groups approved by the Committee are permitted to use the title ‘Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament’.

How do Cross-Party Groups operate?

The operation of CPGs is regulated by Section 6 (Volume 2) of the Code of Conduct for MSPs which outlines the procedures for establishing a CPG and sets out the framework for their operation.

The framework set out in the Code of Conduct for the operation of CPGs is not prescriptive in relation to the procedures to be followed by the Groups and Groups may determine their own procedures, provided that these procedures are in line with the general rules set out in Section 6.  Further guidance in relation to CPGs can be found in Volume 3 of the Code of Conduct (this hyperlink opens a PDF document).

Background to the regulation of CPGs can be found in the Standards Committee’s 2nd Report 1999, ‘Regulation of Cross-Party Groups’.

Who to contact?

For further information in relation to a specific CPG, please use the contact details given on the relevant CPG page.