<   Back to blog

Cross Party Groups: How to Get Involved

Outside the Box is here to help people in communities have a stronger voice and take forward to issues that matter to them.  One of the ways people can do that is through the Cross-Party Groups at the Scottish Parliament.  This is what we’ve been doing and learning, and we hope it encourages you to get involved when this is helpful for you.

What are Cross Party Groups

Cross Party Groups, or CPGs are they are more commonly known, are a way for organisations and individuals to engage with Members of the Scottish Parliament on a particular subject.  Currently there are over 100 CPGs registered, ranging from Accident Prevention & Safety to Women’s Health and everything in between.  You can find a list of all the CPGs  at Current and previous Cross-party groups | Scottish Parliament Website.

CPGs do not do any formal parliament business, but they give people, organisations and MSPs the chance to come together to discuss a particular subject, raise issues, share experiences, learning and give a collective voice to policy and consultations that matter to them.

CPGs are independent, meaning they don’t receive any financial or staffing support from the Scottish Parliament.  They are able to use the parliament building to meet, however they need to cover all their own costs such as travel & refreshments if they are provided.  Each one will be set up slightly differently, but they all have some rules that they need to follow:

  • They must have 5 MSP members from at least 3 different parties of which 1 must be from the majority party
  • 2 of the MSPs must be office bearers
  • They must meet at least twice a year and 2 MSPs must be present
  • They need to be in the public interest
  • They must not overlap with any other CPG.

More information about Cross party Groups can be found at About Cross-Party Groups | Scottish Parliament Website

How you can get Involved

CPGs are not just for MSPs – individuals and organisations can also become members.  The MSPs, who are members, are giving up their time as this is an area of interest to them and they choose which CPGs they want to be part of, if any. So they do have a genuine interest and this an opportunity for people and organisations to speak to and work with MPSs on common interests. One thing to remember is that if someone joins the CPG as part of a specific organisation, the organisation (not the person) is the member of the CPG.

Each Cross Party Group has its own website on the Scottish Parliament website where you will find details of when the next meeting is, the minutes from previous meetings and agendas and who to contact.  Here is an example from the Cross Party Group on Older People, Age & Ageing Older People Age and Ageing | Scottish Parliament Website

If you want to join a CPG, you contact the group directly.  Any decisions about membership, including whether to limit the number of non-MSP members, can be decided by the CPG.

It is also possible to attend meetings as an observer, just get in contact with the CPG and ask them about it.

Outside the Box’s role in Cross Party Groups

Over the years Outside the Box has attended several different CPGs including Dementia and Older People, Age & Ageing.  In 2018 we took over the role as Secretariat for the CPG on Older People, Age & Ageing which until the parliamentary elections in May was the longest running CPG.

For several reasons it took longer than the 90 days to get the CPG on Older People, Age & Ageing re-established after the elections which has meant that a new CPG needed to be set up.  This has now happened and Outside the Box will continue to be the Secretariat for the new CPG.

We’ve found this CPG to be a good way to raise issues that affect people we work alongside in communities across Scotland. We are delighted to continue the co-ordinating role and are really looking forward to being part of the CPG.  If you would like any further information about the CPG on Older People, Age & Ageing please contact christine@otbds.org