Powers of the First Minister Flashcards
Leader of the Government Pro
E1-The FM is the head of the cabinet and is Scotland’s top political representative. • Ultimately any political decisions made by the devolved Scottish Government are the FM’s responsibility.
A- it is clear that they are hugely important in terms of decision-making for Scotland. Most bills passed by Parliament are Government bills and so this underlines the important role of the FM and the significance of the SG in terms of decision-making.
Leader of the government Against
However, when no single party has a majority
in the Scottish Parliament, as was the case from 1999-
2011) the influence of the SG and FM is significantly
reduced. This is because Governments are either
coalitions or minority governments. From 1999-2007, SGs
were Labour/Lib Dem coalitions and from 2007-11 the SG
was an SNP minority government. During these times the
FM has less ability to “get their own way” as they will
have to negotiate with other parties more.
Therefore, although the FM is the political
leader of Scotland, during coalition and minority
governments their decision-making power is significantly
reduced and MSPs from other parties have more
influence.
Chair and Appoints cabinet Pro
The FM leads the Scottish Cabinet, chairing meetings which usually take place at Bute House. In addition, the FM can appoint or remove members of the cabinet.
In May 2016, Nicola Sturgeon reshuffled her cabinet following the 2016 SP Elections.
For example, John Swinney remained Scotland’s deputy first minister but his cabinet
role changed. He is moved from finance secretary to education secretary.
Analysis – This gives the First Minister huge influence on decision-making as they have the ability to pick and choose the people they want to be responsible for key
policy areas like education, health and justice. As a whole, the SG have significant decision-making power, particularly in majority governments, and ultimately the FM has the power to influence decisions because they choose people they want.
Chairs and Appoints Cabinet against
– Nominations to the Cabinet have to be approved by the Scottish Parliament. Nicola Sturgeon announced her new Cabinet in May 2016, but MSPs had to vote on the recommendations.
• Analysis – if a FM presides over a minority government, there can be a chance
of their nominations being outvoted.
• Analysis – however, because there is little chance of opposition parties agreeing
to a Cabinet, opposition is mostly symbolic and MSPs will abstain, rather than
vote against.
• Analysis – however, during a coalition government a FM has to appoint a cabinet from both parties. For example, from 2003-2007 the Labour First Minister Jack McConnell appointed a number of Lib Dems to the SG cabinet.
Responsible for Government Policies and implementation of these policies Pro
• Knowledge – Although Government Bills (which make up around 80% of Laws passed in
Scotland) can be proposed by Cabinet Secretaries, the overall responsibility for government
policy lies with the FM.
• The FM and SG are also responsible for ensuring that these policies are implemented. Nicola
Sturgeon’s SNP Governments have introduced a number of bills which have been successfully
passed and implemented.
• For example, the Air Weapons Licensing Bill which was passed by the Parliament in June 2015,
and reducing the voting age in Scotland to 16, which was passed in June 2015
• The FM and SG are also responsible for agreeing a BUDGET each year. This is where they
decide on spending on each of the devolved areas.
• Analysis – this illustrates the decision-making power of the FM and the SG. Most bills which
successfully become law come from the Scottish Government and are approved by the FM.
• The SG also decide on the Scottish budget each year meaning that they can focus spending on
the areas which they feel are priorities.
Responsible for Government Policies and implementation of these policies Against
• Knowledge – However, again during coalition and minority governments the power of the FM is
reduced significantly. During the SNP minority Government from 2007-2011, the SG
introduced a number of bills, including the 2010 Minimum Pricing of Alcohol Bill, which were
rejected by MSPs.
• Compromise becomes a major part of the workings of the SG during these types of
Government parties bargain with each other in order to get what they want. For example,
before the Lib Dems helped form a coalition with Labour from 1999-2003, they insisted that
the SG introduce a bill to abolish tuition fees for students. In a way the Lib Dems forced the
then FM Donald Dewar’s hand.
• Also, although the SG decide on the budget each year, this is a budget which is based on the
money which they receive from Westminster each year. So if the British Government reduces
the amount of money they give to the SP each year (as they have done continuously for the
last several years) then the SG are less able to implement the policies they want successfully.It is clear then that the executive’s power to
propose policies and implement them can be severely
restricted, particularly during minority or coalition
governments since the SG’s ability to implement laws is
limited by other MSPs and by Westminster.
Promoting and Representing Scotland Pro
Knowledge – the FM has a crucial role in representing
Scotland on the world stage. Nicola Sturgeon has visited
China in order improve trade-links with the country and to
attract foreign investment and jobs to Scotland.
• Sturgeon also attended sporting events to represent
Scotland, including the Wimbledon Final in 2016.
How much decision-making power does this give the FM?
• Analysis – this gives the FM tremendous influence as they
are essentially figureheads for Scotland and can have an
impact on Scottish economic policy by raising the profile
of the nation abroad and by attracting investment.
