democracy in scotland

Question 1

what are key features in a democracy?

Answer 1

free speech
ability to protest
government elected by people
variety of politics parties

Question 2

what is the right to free speech?

Answer 2

citizens can criticise the government without being prosecuted

Question 3

what’s a right to free speech example

Answer 3

for example, many people have criticised boris johnson for attending a party at downing street during lockdown restrictions

Question 4

what’s an independent media

Answer 4

allows the media to publish stories without having to get consent from the government

Question 5

what’s an independent media example

Answer 5

for example,the media published a story accusing boris johnson of attending the party at downing street without needing his consent

Question 6

what does it mean if the government is elected by people

Answer 6

people in scotland have been free to choose who they want to run the country by voting in an election without intimidation

Question 7

government elected by people example

Answer 7

for example, millions of people over the age of 16 voted in may 2021 scottish parliament elections

Question 8

how can a MSP represent their constituents in the scottish parliament

Answer 8

introducing a new members bill
debating and voting on new laws in parliament
first minister questions

Question 9

what does it mean to introduce a members bill

Answer 9

each msp can introduce two bills during one parliamentary session. If a msp is contacted by a members of the public about an issue, they may decide to get a change in law by introducing a new members bill

Question 10

what is an example of an msp introducing a new members bill

Answer 10

for example, in 2020, Monica Lennon introduced the period products Bill to make period products free to people who need them

Question 11

what is debating and voting on new laws

Answer 11

msps meet in the debating chamber on tuesday wednesday and thursday afternoons. They can put forward motions about problems the people they represent experience and can ask parliament to consider how to solve them.

Question 12

what is an example of a msp debating and voting on new laws

Answer 12

for example, in 2021 msps in the scottish parliament voted to approve the scottish government budget giving under 19 year olds free bus travel

Question 13

what is asking the first minister questions

Answer 13

this gives leaders of other parties and some other msps an opportunity to ask the first minister questions directly. Each question must be submitted to first minister beforehand to allow her to prepare an answer

Question 14

what’s an example of a msp asking the first minister a question

Answer 14

for example, in january 2022 Neil Bibby msp questioned the first minister about plans to cut the amount of ticket offices at railway stations