Accountability

Question 1

(evidence) FMQT

Answer 1

• Anas Sarwar questioned Nicola Sturgeon on the rise in ambulance drop-off times in Scotland and provided evidence to hold her to account. This resulted in her apology and promise to do more to fix the issue. – FMQT is effective in holding the government to account
• SNP MSP Paul McLennan asked the FM for an update regarding the roll-out of the Child Disability payment – providing her with the opportunity to discuss something positive the government are doing and taking up time that could have been spent being scrutinised by an opposing party. – FMQT is not as effective as questions can be tailored to have a positive effect on FM

Question 2

(evidence) committees

Answer 2

• where FM faced questions from a committee of MSPs investigating the procurement of two ferries – which were both late and over budget. – this brought a lot of media attention and scrutiny to the government
• petition for scrapping the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act reached 10,000 signatures, however, the government was not forced to take any action. (PPC) - committees are not fully successful

Question 3

(evidence) government type

Answer 3

• The SNP and Greens differ on several different policies such as NATO membership. The Green Party believe that NATO membership is “morally wrong”, but the SNP are “more certain than ever” that an independent Scotland should join. – minority government is a successful way for governments to be held account as their views can be scrutinised by other party
• between 2011 and 2016, the SNP had a majority government. They held 69 out of the 129 seats and were able to pass bills such as the Alcohol MUP, despite opposition from Scottish Labour who were the third largest party at the time. – majority government is less effective for holding to account

Question 4

(knowledge) FMQT

Answer 4

• FMQT every Thursday at 12pm
• opportunity for opposition to call out the government
• subject to high levels of media scrutiny
• not always authentic as MSP from governing party can ask questions to make the government look good

Question 5

(knowledge) committees

Answer 5

• 5-15 members of different parties
• most meetings are streamed on Scottish parliament website
• can be less successful as they can’t enact proper change, they can only ask for accountability and raise awareness

Question 6

(knowledge) government type

Answer 6

• majority and minority
• minority (where other parties have more seats all together), allows other parties to have more of an influence on decisions made
• 2021, SNP fell one seat short and became a minority with Green
• majority (holds over 50% of overall seats in parliament)
• easier for them to pass legislation