📰| 3. First Minister's Powers

Question 1

Roles of the First Minister

Answer 1

• Representing Scotland
• Appointing Cabinet Secretaries
• Leader of the Party
• Media Attention

Question 2

Limits to the First Minister’s Power

Answer 2

• First Minister’s Questions
• Reserved Matters

Question 3

Roles of the First Minister:

Representing Scotland

Answer 3

• One role of the First Minister is to represent Scotland.
• As the leader of Scotland, the First Minister speaks up for Scotland’s interests in meetings with other politicians.

Question 4

Roles of the First Minister:

Appointing Cabinet Secretaries

Answer 4

• One role of the First Minister is to appoint their Cabinet Secretaries.
• The First Minister has the power to promote their most loyal MSPs to become Cabinet Secretaries, who are in charge of Scotland’s devolved matters.
• For example, a Cabinet Secretary appointed under current First Minister Humza Yousaf is Jenny Gilruth, the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills.

Question 5

Roles of the First Minister:

Leader of the Party

Answer 5

• One role of the First Minister is to lead their party.
• The First Minister is almost always the leader of the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, which gives them a lot of power and influence over MSPs.
• For example, current First Minister Humza Yousaf is the leader of the SNP, which occupies the most seats in the Scottish Parliament.

Question 6

Roles of the First Minister:

Media Attention

Answer 6

• One role of the First Minister is to manage media attention.
• The First Minister receives a great deal of media attention, which allows them to promote their agenda and respond to current affairs.
• For example, in October 2023 current First Minister Humza Yousaf was interviewed by Sky News regarding the conflict occuring in Gaza.

Question 7

Limits to the First Ministers Power:

First Minister’s Questions

Answer 7

• One aspect that limits the First Minister’s power is the First Minister’s Question Time.
• The First Minister’s Question is a key part of their job, and gives opposing party members and leaders the chance to challenge the government and their policies.
• For example, during a First Minister’s Questions session, MSP Douglas Ross challenged First Minister Humza Yousaf regarding Scotland’s decreasing performance in education in December 2023.

Question 8

Limits to the First Ministers Power:

Reserved Matters

Answer 8

• One aspect that limits the First Minister’s power is reserved matters.
• The Scottish Government are not permitted to control reserved matters, which are instead controlled by the UK government.
• For example, defence is a reserved matter that the First Minister has no power over.