Representatives in Parliament Flashcards
Representatives in Parliament Structure
Introduction Cabinet Bills First Ministers Questions Voting Committees Conclusion
Representatives in Parliament Introduction
- Scottish Parliament is made of 129 MSPs who are elected using Additional Members System and is responsible for devolved issues.
- Out of these 129 MSPS, the government is made of the First Minister who is currently Nicola Sturgeon and ministers who are appointed by the FM.
- The work of MSPs is to scrutinise the government, participate in committees, vote on issues, propose bills and participate in FMQT.
Cabinet
K - In this area, the FM is completely powerful as they
appoint all positions and can do this without consulting
ordinary representatives
- These cabinet ministers are very important as they are
responsible for key devolved policy areas such as
health and education.
- For example, Nicola Sturgeon was able to appoint her
most experienced and trusted MSP John Swinney to
education as this was her priority.
An - Ordinary representatives have more control over
cabinet during coalition governments as FM has to
appoint ministers from other parties like Jack
McConnel has to do.
- The FM is still very powerful and much more so than
representatives as the cabinet acts on the basis of
collective responsibility.
- Means that ministers have to agree with FM in public
even if they disagree behind closed doors, or resign.
Ev - Therefore, ordinary representatives have no power
over decision making in the matter of cabinet.
Bills
K - Representatives have some influence in this matter as
they can propose 2 bills per parliamentary session and
this is linked to the SP’s founding principle of sharing
power.
- Involves lodging the draft proposal, giving the bill a
name and description and gaining the support from at
least 18 MSPs.
- Many MSPs also use the media to gain support
- Eg, Partick Harvie MSP’s Offences (aggravated by
prejudice) bill became an act in 2009.
An - However, not very influential as a vast majority (80%)
of successful bills are government bills.
- Also, laws have to be approved by the First Minister
as she is the leader.
- It is the Scottish Government also decide on the
Scottish Budget and can focus on areas they want to.
- For example, FM spent £170m on attainment fund
despite not meeting educational targets.
Ev - The powers of representatives are limited in this
matter, especially during majority government (2011-
2016) when only 6 members bills were passed.
First Ministers Questions
K - Happens every Thursday in the Chamber at 12pm
- MSPs, mainly the leaders of opposition parties hold
FM to account by asking questions to highlight
problems.
- For example, the opposition leaders forced FM to
admit that numeracy results were ‘unacceptable’. This
was significant as it made evening news, highlighting
problems to public.
An - Influence is limited by the strict rules over
submission.
- The questions have to be lodged between Thursday
12.30pm and Monday 2pm. This leaves time for FM
and cabinet to see questions and prepare answers.
- MSPs can all lodge one question each but only ten
are chosen to be asked and there is often not
enough time for all questions to be answered.
- Eg, in January 2018, Liam Kerr’s question had to be
answered via a written answer, which meant it didn’t
have the influence it intended to have.
Ev - It is a very good opportunity to catch out the SG and
hold them accountable but, they are well prepared
with the help of cabinet.
Voting
K - One of the most influential methods of scrutinising
government, especially during coalition governments.
- All laws passed must be approved by majority of MSPs
- MSPs can use their votes to defeat policies and force
the government to reevaluate them
- Eg, in 2009, the SNP budget was rejected after 2
Green party MSPs refused to agree with the deal.
An - Realistically, opposition MSPs only have power when
it is a coalition government.
- In majority governments, as long as the main party
votes together (which normally happens due to party
loyalty), the laws proposed will be passed.
- Eg, 2011-2016, SNP had majority of 65 MSPs and
were finally able to reintroduce minimum pricing
Ev - Therefore, ordinary MSPs have significant power here
as they are able to express their views by voting,
however, their powers are limited during majority
governments.
Committees
K - In SP, MSPs are part of committees, the role of these
is to facilitate strong scrutiny of the executive.
- Extremely powerful as in SP, there is no second
chamber like House of Lords in UK Parliament, so
committees perform main scrutiny.
- Power of committees allows MPS to gather evidence,
listen to expert opinions, conduct enquiries such as
those about curriculum for excellence and even
propose bills.
An - Power reduced during majority governments
- During majority government from 2011-2016, majority
of committees were dominated by the SNP
- Means when things come to a vote, party loyalty
means bill will pass.
- Also, SNP are still getting budgets through even in a
minority government because they still convene a
majority of committees.
Ev - Effective as given more powers and are often able to
use them to make changes to legislation such as the
Justice Committee suggesting changes for Offensive
behaviour at football and threatening communication
act.
Reps in Parliament Conclusion
- Powerful to an extent, depends on what type of government
- In majority, opposition party MSPs are hardly ever able to make a difference as the main party will always be able to win votes
- It is when minority governments happen that MSPs are able to hold the government to account properly
