Political issues - Holding government to account

Question 1

What days dies the Scottish parliament sit?

Answer 1

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Question 2

What do the MSP’s in the Scottish parliament do/discuss when the parliament is sitting?

Answer 2

• MSP’s debate and vote on new laws
• Raise issues that are of concern to their constituents
• Scrutinise the work of the Scottish government

Question 3

How do MSP’s in Scottish parliament scrutinise the work of the Scottish government?

Answer 3

• Work on committees
• Question time/first minister questions
• debates

Question 4

What are the powers the Scottish governing party have allowing to pass legislation?

Answer 4

• Having a majority
• The whip system

Question 5

How do First Minister Questions work?

Answer 5

• First Ministers Questions last for half an hour
• All questions must be lodged in advanced
• Six questions are then chosen by the presiding officer
• The first three questions are given to the largest opposition parties

Question 6

What are the advantages of question time/first minister questions?

Answer 6

• It allows MSP’s to scrutinise the government
• Highlights current issues in the country
• Allows alternatives to be introduced

Question 7

What are some disadvantages with question time/first minister questions?

Answer 7

• There is no rule against the governing party asking questions, allowing them to highlight their successes
• There are time contraints which can weaken the effectiveness of question time

Question 8

How do parliamentary debates hold the government to account?

Answer 8

• Allows new proposed laws to be scrutinised and challenged
• MSP’s can highlight issues with new bills and put forward amendments

Question 9

How does the whips system work?

Answer 9

• The job of whips is to ensure that backbench MSP’s vote in support of party policy set by the leader, in order to maintain party unity
• If MSP’s vote against the party, it is the job of the whip to impose a punishment

Question 10

What are some more severe punishments whips can impose on MSP’s?

Answer 10

• Movements of office
• Decreased likelihood of promotion
• Deselection. Meaning he MSP would not have party support as a candidate

Question 11

How do members of parliament hep hold the government to account?

Answer 11

The role of MP’s in the house of commons is to represent their constituents by debating, discussingssues.

Question 12

What areas are the commons select committee responsible for?

Answer 12

• Spending
• Policies
• Administration

Question 13

What are Public Bill Committees responsible for?

Answer 13

They look at parliamentary legislation and can suggest amendments.

Question 14

How do Prime Minister Questions work?

Answer 14

• The leader of the opposition party gets to ask six questions
• These focus on failures of the government and allow an alternative to be put forwards