democracy - representation Flashcards
1
Q
what are roles of MSPs in the constituency?
A
- visiting local schools
- holding surgeries
- attending local meetings and events
2
Q
describe, in detail, the roles of MSPs in the constituency
A
- the first role of MSPs in the constituency is to visit local schools
- MSPs have an obligation to speak to classes in local schools about current affairs, politics and any other issues of interest to the pupils. MSPs also attend school award ceremonies to be seen supporting the schools success
- for example rona mackay attended the st.ninians highschool prize giving ceremony to show support to the school
- another role MSPs have in the constituency is to hold surgeries
- a surgery is a drop in session where people go along to talk to an MSP about problems they might have within the constituency
- for example, MSP rona mackay holds several surgeries every month in the bishopbriggs war memorial hall
- another role of MSPs in the constituency is to attend local meetings and events
- MSPs may be asked by different local groups such as community youth centers or food banks to attend their meetings. an MSP may also meet with the local council to resolve an issue
- for example, rona mackay attened a charity event at the park center in kirkintilloch with stuart mcdonald
3
Q
what are the roles of MSPS in parliament?
A
- take part in debates
- take part in question time
- introduce members bills
4
Q
describe ,in detail, the roles of MSPs in parliament
A
- the first role of MSPs in parliament is to take part in debates
- this is when MSPs meet in the debating chamber of the SP every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon to put forward problems and ask parliament to consider solving them, as well as debating new laws
- for example MSPs in the SP debated smacking children before it was banned.
- another role of MSPs in parliament is to take part in question time
- this is when MSPs ask government ministers, including the first minister, important questions that matter to their constituents
- for example sue webster asked humza yousaf if there was an increase in the distrubution of anti-deppressants due to the lack of childrens mental health services
- another role of MSPs in parliament is to propose potential members bills
- a members bill is essentially a law before its a law, and each MSP is entitled to introduce two bills in each parliementary session. around 10% of bills passed are members bills
- for example MSP monica lennon had her members bill accepted and passed that made sanitary products free for all in public buildings such as schools and colleges
5
Q
what groups are underepresented in the scottish parliament?
A
- ethnic minorities
- women
- disabled people
6
Q
describe, in detail, groups that are underrepresented in the scottish parliament
A
- One group that is underrepresented in the Scottish parliament is ethnic minorities.
- there are hundreds of thousands of Scottish people who are not white yet they are historically underrepresented in the Scottish parliament
- For example, before 2021 less than 2% of MSPs are from an ethnic minority background compared to around 4-5% of the population being an ethnic minority
- Another group that is underrepresented in the Scottish parliament is women
- despite some high profile women being in the parliament, Nicola Sturgeon has been the only ever female first minister. we are yet to see an equal number of females and males in the SP
- For example, only 45% of MSPs are female which is the highest it’s ever been meaning women have never had fair representation
- A final group that are underrepresented in the Scottish parliament is disabled people
- although not all disabilities are visible and the Scottish parliament building was designed with accessibility in mind, there are almost no openly disabled MSPs
- For example, it was only in 2021 that the first wheel chair user Pam Duncan Glancy was elected to parliament despite around 20% of the population thought to have a disability
7
Q
why are ethnic minorities underrepresented in Scottish politics?
A
- they may not put themselves forward because of the racism they face
- a lack of role models
- it is hard to overcome the incumbency effect
8
Q
explain, in detail, why ethnic minorities are underrepresented in scottish politics
A
- one reason why ethnic minorities may be underrepresented in Scottish politics is because they may not put themselves forward because of the racism they face
- This means that racism may limit the number of candidates picked for an election but it can also put people off getting involved in the first place beceuase of the abuse they face.
- For example, Anas Sarwar and Humza Yousaf have spoke about the racism and abuse they have faced
- Another reason why ethnic minorities are underrepresented in Scottish politics might be due to a lack of role models
- This means that to those marginalized groups may look at the scottish parliament not see people like them in politics which can be very off putting. Being more likely to have already suffered abuse as a minority they may be very reluctant to put themselves in such a public position if they have not seen how others have survived it successfully
- For example, there were only ever 4 MSPs who are from an ethnic minority group in the first 20 years of the Scottish parliament
- A final reason why ethnic minorities are underrepresented in Scottish politics might be because it is hard to overcome the incumbency effect. - the incumbency effect is where it is easier for people who are in power to stay in power because they can use their position to help them get reelected. Elected MSPs have a lot of media exposure and tax payer funded help to do their job and so are more well known
- For example, for the first 20 years of the scottish parliament 98% of MSPs were White and it took over 20 years for Kaukab Stewart to become the first ethnic minority women to be elected to parliament
9
Q
why might women be underrepresented in politics?
A
- sexism in politics
- lack of role models
- the incumbency effect
10
Q
explain, in detail, reasons why women are underrepresented in politics
A
- One reason why women are underrepresented in Scottish politics is due to sexism in politics
- even though we have progressed in society in terms of womens rights, some people in the public and in parliament believe that women dont have a place in politics
- for example, Over two-thirds of women MSPs have witnessed sexist behaviour in parliament over the last five years
- Another reason why women are underrepresented in Scottish politics is due to a lack of role models
- politics has always been dominated by men while girls and women were told their place was in the home. It can then be really off putting for women if they look at politics as a place that is not very friendly for women
- For example, there has only ever been 1 female First minister with all parties in the parliament led by men (except the greens who have a female co-leader)
- A final reason why women are underrepresented in Scottish politics is due to the incumbency effect.
- the incumbency effect is where it is easier for people who are in power to stay in power because they can use their position the help them get reelected. Elected MSPs have a lot of media exposure and tax payer funded to help to do their job and so are more well known
- For example, in the first 20 years of the parliament the share of female MSPs was never higher than 37%
11
Q
describe, in detail, roles of committees
A
- one role of committees is to conduct enquiries
- enquiries often happen in response to a high-profile event and committees will usually produce a report
- for example, MSPs launched an enquiry into the ferguson marine ferry contract which seen the company nationalised after long delays and huge cost increases in the building of two new ferries
- one role of committees is to examine bills
- this is when a bill is assigned to a ‘lead committee’ who are responsible for examining it closely. committees can hear from experts, organisations and members of the public about what the bill would do
- for example, the fireworks and pyrotechnics articles (scotland) bill was examined and amended by the criminal justice committee
- one role of committees is to review petitions
- this means that anyone can send a petition to the scottish government to be reviewed to try to change how things work in scotland. petitions are first looked at by the public petitions committee
- for example, in 2020 the scottish government PPC reviewed and acted on petition PE:1711 first aid training for all primary school children
12
Q
what are roles of committees?
A
- to conduct enquiries
- to examine bills
- to review petitions
