The Scottish ParliamentThe Scottish Parliament

Scottish IdentityScottish Identity

AimsAims::

• Identify ways in which Scotland has Identify ways in which Scotland has its own identity.its own identity.

• Examine the arguments for and Examine the arguments for and against the Scottish Parliamentagainst the Scottish Parliament

Elections For the Scottish Elections For the Scottish ParliamentParliament

AimsAims::

• Identify how the Scottish Parliament Identify how the Scottish Parliament is elected.is elected.

Electing the Scottish Electing the Scottish ParliamentParliament

The voting system is called the The voting system is called the Additional Members System (AMS). Additional Members System (AMS). It is a form of Proportional It is a form of Proportional Representation.Representation.

There are 129 MSPs in the Scottish There are 129 MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.Parliament.

Voters have Voters have TWO VOTESTWO VOTES::

The first vote is for a The first vote is for a CANDIDATECANDIDATE..

Voters elected an MSP for their Voters elected an MSP for their constituencyconstituency..

There are There are 73 constituency MSPs73 constituency MSPs..

The winner is decided using The winner is decided using First Past First Past the Postthe Post

11stst Vote – Ballot Paper Vote – Ballot Paper

11 Brown RonaldBrown Ronald

Scottish Socialist PartyScottish Socialist Party

22 Chisholm MalcolmChisholm Malcolm

Labour PartyLabour Party

33 Dana AnneDana Anne

Scottish National PartyScottish National Party

44 Semphill JamieSemphill Jamie

Conservative PartyConservative Party

55 Tombs SebastianTombs Sebastian

Liberal Democrat PartyLiberal Democrat Party

2007 Election – First Vote2007 Election – First Vote

Political PartyPolitical Party Constituency MSPsConstituency MSPs

ConservativeConservative 44

GreenGreen 00

LabourLabour 3737

Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats 1111

Scottish National Scottish National PartyParty

2121

OthersOthers 00

The Second VoteThe Second Vote

Scotland is divided into Scotland is divided into EIGHTEIGHT regions. regions.

Each region elects Each region elects 7 LIST7 LIST OR OR REGIONAL REGIONAL MSPsMSPs..

Voters in that region vote for a Voters in that region vote for a PARTYPARTY..

Each party draws up a list of Each party draws up a list of candidates.candidates.

A complicated formula is then used to A complicated formula is then used to decide how many regional MSPs each decide how many regional MSPs each party gets.party gets.

2007 Election – Second Vote2007 Election – Second Vote

Political PartyPolitical Party Regional MSPsRegional MSPs

ConservativeConservative 1313

GreenGreen 22

LabourLabour 99

Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats 55

Scottish National Scottish National PartyParty

2626

OthersOthers 11

Jim Mather SNP

Constituency MSP

Rob Gibson SNP

Regional MSP

Rhoda Grant, Labour

Regional MSP

Jamie McGrigor,

Conservative

Regional MSP

Peter Peacock, Labour

Regional MSP

Mary Scanlon, Conservative

Regional MSP

David Stewart, Labour

Regional MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP

Regional MSP

2007 Election2007 Election

There are 129 MSPs in the Scottish There are 129 MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.Parliament.

A party would have to win 65 seats A party would have to win 65 seats to have a majority.to have a majority.

2007 Election – Overall 2007 Election – Overall ResultResult

Political Political PartyParty

Total MSPsTotal MSPs % of Votes% of Votes % of Seats% of Seats

ConservativConservativee

1717 15.2415.24 13.1813.18

GreenGreen 22 2.112.11 1.551.55

LabourLabour 4646 30.6430.64 35.6635.66

Liberal Liberal DemocratsDemocrats

1616 13.7213.72 13.4013.40

SNPSNP 4747 31.9731.97 36.4336.43

OthersOthers 11 6.326.32 0.780.78

The Additional Member SystemThe Additional Member SystemAdvantagesAdvantages

• % of seats a party gets is roughly the same as its % of the vote.

• Easier for smaller parties to win seats.

• People have two votes – more choice.

• Parties have worked well in coalition governments.

Disadvantages

• Hard for voters to understand how the system works.

• More likely to have a coalition government – coalitions might break down if parties disagree.

• Voters are unsure which MSP to contact if they have a problem.

Electing the Scottish Electing the Scottish ParliamentParliament

AimsAims::

• Examine the outcome of the 2011 Examine the outcome of the 2011 election and the AV referendum.election and the AV referendum.

• Identify the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in Identify the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in this election.this election.

2011 Election Results2011 Election Results

PartyParty Constituency Constituency MSPsMSPs

Regional Regional List MSPsList MSPs

TotalTotal +/ -+/ -

SNPSNP 5353 1616 6969 +23+23

LabourLabour 1515 2222 3737 -77

ConsCons 33 1212 1515 -5-5

Lib Lib DemDem

22 33 55 -12-12

OthersOthers 00 33 33 +1+1

NoteNote::

• The SNP now have an The SNP now have an overalloverall majority. majority.• All the other main political parties lost All the other main political parties lost

seats in the election.seats in the election.• The turnout was 50.7%The turnout was 50.7%• Other parties – 2 Green Party MSPs and 1 Other parties – 2 Green Party MSPs and 1

Independent MSP.Independent MSP.

Margo MacDonald

Independent MSPPatrick Harvie

Green MSP

Eleanor Scott

Green MSP

The AV ReferendumThe AV Referendum

• Across the UK Across the UK voters were asked voters were asked if they wanted to if they wanted to change from FPTP change from FPTP to the Alternative to the Alternative Vote (AV) system.Vote (AV) system.

• 67.9 % of voters 67.9 % of voters were against AV in were against AV in the referendum.the referendum.

Yes

No

What Is The Scottish What Is The Scottish Government?Government?

• The Scottish Government is responsible for The Scottish Government is responsible for running those areas which Scotland is running those areas which Scotland is allowed to organise for itself e.g. allowed to organise for itself e.g. education, health.education, health.

• The The First MinisterFirst Minister is elected by MSPs and is is elected by MSPs and is usually the leader of the largest party.usually the leader of the largest party.

• The The Scottish GovernmentScottish Government is then chosen is then chosen by the First Minister – he will select MSPs by the First Minister – he will select MSPs from his party.from his party.

• Each MSP will be responsible for a Each MSP will be responsible for a departmentdepartment and be known as a ‘Scottish and be known as a ‘Scottish Minister’.Minister’.

• Each minister has to answer to Parliament Each minister has to answer to Parliament for all the work of their department.for all the work of their department.

The Powers of the Scottish The Powers of the Scottish ParliamentParliament

AimsAims::

• Examine the main powers of the Examine the main powers of the Scottish Parliament.Scottish Parliament.

• Identify the modern features of the Identify the modern features of the Scottish Parliament.Scottish Parliament.

Supervises the Scottish

Government

Powers of the Scottish

Parliament

Makes

Laws

Investigate Issues Changes Taxes

A Modern Scottish A Modern Scottish ParliamentParliament

Using page 31, explain how the Scottish Using page 31, explain how the Scottish

Parliament is more up-to-date than the Parliament is more up-to-date than the

House of Commons in the following House of Commons in the following areas:areas:

• Seating arrangementsSeating arrangements• Hours of sittingHours of sitting• How MSPs address each other in the How MSPs address each other in the

chamberchamber• Electronic VotingElectronic Voting

The Powers of the Scottish The Powers of the Scottish ParliamentParliament

Devolved PowersDevolved Powers::

HealthHealth TransportTransportEducationEducation LawLawLocal GovernmentLocal Government Fire ServiceFire ServiceSocial WorkSocial Work EnvironmentEnvironmentHousingHousing AgricultureAgricultureEconomic DevelopmentEconomic Development TaxTax

The Powers of the British The Powers of the British ParliamentParliament

TaxTax

DefenceDefence

Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs

Economic PolicyEconomic Policy

Social SecuritySocial Security

ImmigrationImmigration

Drug ControlDrug Control

Contacting Your MSPContacting Your MSP

The work of an MSP is very similar to The work of an MSP is very similar to

that of an MP. You can contact your that of an MP. You can contact your MSP MSP

by:by:

• Letters or e-mailLetters or e-mail• SurgerySurgery• TelephoneTelephone

The Work of an MSP in Their The Work of an MSP in Their ConstituencyConstituency

In their constituency MSPs will:In their constituency MSPs will:

• Holding surgeriesHolding surgeries• Attend local meetingsAttend local meetings• Go on fact-finding visitsGo on fact-finding visits• Attend local eventsAttend local events

The Work of an MSPThe Work of an MSPDayDay MorningMorning AfternoonAfternoon

MondayMonday ConstituencyConstituency ConstituencyConstituency

TuesdayTuesday CommitteeCommittee

WednesdayWednesday CommitteeCommittee ChamberChamber

ThursdayThursday ChamberChamber ChamberChamber

FridayFriday ConstituencyConstituency ConstituencyConstituency

SaturdaySaturday ConstituencyConstituency ConstituencyConstituency

SundaySunday ConstituencyConstituency ConstituencyConstituency

Note: MSPs can meet on a Monday afternoon or Friday morning in exceptional circumstances

Committees

The Work of an MSP in the Scottish

Parliament

Debates

Question Time Introduce a Member’s Bill

Introducing New LawsIntroducing New Laws::

Laws can be introduced by:Laws can be introduced by:

• A Government MinisterA Government Minister• A CommitteeA Committee• An MSPAn MSP

The Work of an MSP In the The Work of an MSP In the Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament

CommitteesCommitteesAn MSP will be a member of several An MSP will be a member of several committees.committees.Each committee Each committee examinesexamines what the what the Scottish government is doing in a certain Scottish government is doing in a certain area e.g. education.area e.g. education.BillsBills are sent to committees before the are sent to committees before the Parliament considers them.Parliament considers them.Committees can Committees can introduceintroduce bills to change bills to change the lawthe law

The Work of an MSP in the The Work of an MSP in the Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament

DebatesDebatesMSPs can debate, discuss and vote on MSPs can debate, discuss and vote on issues affecting their constituents.issues affecting their constituents.

Question TimeQuestion TimeEach week the First Minister and other Each week the First Minister and other government ministers will face questions government ministers will face questions from MSPs.from MSPs.MSPs will ask questions about what the MSPs will ask questions about what the government is doing to help people in government is doing to help people in their consituency.their consituency.

The Work of an MSP in the The Work of an MSP in the Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament

Making LawsMaking LawsMSPs will vote on whether a Bill MSPs will vote on whether a Bill becomes law or not.becomes law or not.Every MSP also gets the chance to Every MSP also gets the chance to introduce two Member’s Bills in a introduce two Member’s Bills in a four-year period.four-year period.For example, Margo MacDonald tried For example, Margo MacDonald tried to introduce a bill on assisted suicide.to introduce a bill on assisted suicide.

Public PetitionPublic Petition

The Public Petitions Committee The Public Petitions Committee mustmust consider petitions which have been consider petitions which have been handed in by members of the public.handed in by members of the public.A petition might want to introduce a new A petition might want to introduce a new law, change an existing law or express law, change an existing law or express concern about an issue.concern about an issue.If the committee thinks it is a good If the committee thinks it is a good petition, they can send it to another petition, they can send it to another committee to deal with or introduce a new committee to deal with or introduce a new Bill to change the law.Bill to change the law.This in an important opportunity for the This in an important opportunity for the public and pressure groups to influence public and pressure groups to influence the work of Parliament.the work of Parliament.

Pressures on an MSPPressures on an MSP

ConstituentsConstituents

PartyParty

Local areaLocal area

National InterestNational Interest

FamilyFamily

Ideological BeliefsIdeological Beliefs

Individual conscienceIndividual conscience

Pressure GroupsPressure Groups

MediaMedia

How Representative is the How Representative is the Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament??

AimsAims::

Examine the representation of Examine the representation of women and ethnic minorities in the women and ethnic minorities in the Scottish Parliament.Scottish Parliament.

Male

Female

At the moment women make up 51% of the Scottish population.

YearYear Number Number of Female of Female MSPsMSPs

% of % of Female Female MSPsMSPs

19991999 4848 37.2137.21

20032003 5151 39.5339.53

20072007 4343 33.3333.33

20112011 4545 34.88%34.88%

The number of female MSPs has varied in recent years. If they were to be fairly represented there would be 66 female MSPs in the Scottish Parliament

Why Are Women Under-Represented?Why Are Women Under-Represented?

Parties are reluctant to choose Parties are reluctant to choose female candidates because they female candidates because they think they might lose voters.think they might lose voters.Many women are the main Many women are the main carers in their family – living and carers in their family – living and working in Edinburgh during the working in Edinburgh during the week is not practical.week is not practical.Although the Scottish Parliament Although the Scottish Parliament has more family friendly hours of has more family friendly hours of work it is still difficult for women work it is still difficult for women with young families to balance with young families to balance their responsibilities.their responsibilities.Many women take a career Many women take a career break when they have family – a break when they have family – a political career takes many years political career takes many years to develop.to develop.

Aileen Campbell, aged 26 was the youngest woman to be elected as an MSP in the 2011 election.

White

Ethnic Minority

At the moment ethnic minorities make up 4% of the Scottish population.

YearYear Number Number of Ethnic of Ethnic Minority Minority MPsMPs

% of % of Ethnic Ethnic Minority Minority MPsMPs

19991999 00 0%0%

20032003 00 0%0%

20072007 11 0.78%0.78%

20112011 22 1.55%1.55%

The number of ethnic minority MSPs has increased slightly in recent years. If they were to be fairly represented there would be 36 ethnic minority MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

Why Are Ethnic Minorities Under-Why Are Ethnic Minorities Under-Represented?Represented?

Parties are reluctant to choose Parties are reluctant to choose ethnic minority candidates ethnic minority candidates because they think they might because they think they might lose voters.lose voters.People from ethnic minority People from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to join backgrounds are less likely to join political parties – they often feel political parties – they often feel the policies of the main parties do the policies of the main parties do little to help them.little to help them.Some ethnic minorities are less Some ethnic minorities are less likely to stay on at school or go likely to stay on at school or go onto university. The more onto university. The more educated a person is the more educated a person is the more likely they are to take part in likely they are to take part in politics.politics.The Scottish Parliament is The Scottish Parliament is predominately white. Many predominately white. Many ethnic minorities feel they have ethnic minorities feel they have few political role models to follow.few political role models to follow.

Humsa Yousaf was one of only two ethnic minority MSPs to be elected in the 2011 election.