Roles of MSPs Flashcards
How many MSPs do you have to represent you?
8
Who is your constituency MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith?
Ben Macpherson (SNP)
How do MSPs split their week between constituency and parliament?
They spend Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Edinburgh at the parliament and the rest of the time in the local area
Why would an MSP visit schools in their local area?
MSPs will often visit schools in their local area to talk to young people about issues important to them as well as helping the students understand more about the Scottish Parliament and to gather support amongst young people as you only need to be 16 to vote in Scotland.
What is an example of an MSP visiting a local school?
Ben Macpherson has visited Drummond Community High School on numerous occasions to speak to young learners about politics.
Describe what an MSPs surgery is.
This, like a doctor’s surgery, is a dedicated time of the week where the local people can go to speak to their MSP about devolved and local issues that are important to them and to try and find a solution to their issues.
When does your local MSP typically hold his surgeries?
Ben MacPherson MSP holds his surgery in Edinburgh every Monday and Friday so that people can go to meet him with their problems.
Why do MSPs work in the local community is to attend important events and promote local business.
MSPs will often be present for events happening in their local area. This often happens at weekends but lets MSPs speak to locals and get to know more about what’s important to the community. It also gets a lot of media attention and shows that MSPs are working hard.
What is a high profile campaign that your local MSP regularly attends?
Ben MacPherson attended the Save Leith Walk campaign to show his support for the local community.
Describe why a role of an MSP in parliament is to take part in debates
This is when MSPs meet in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon to put forward problems and ask parliament to consider how to solve them as well as debate proposed new laws.
All MSPs would have took part in debates surrounding what issues?
The ‘Smacking Ban’
Gender-Based violence in Scottish Schools
Why do MSPs in parliament take part in question time?
This is an important opportunity for MSPs to ask government ministers, including the first minister, important questions that matter to their constituents and to hold the government to account on their decisions and actions.
When is FMQT?
Humza Yousaf takes questions every Thursday at 12pm from MSPs on the work of his government.
Why will most MSPs also join a Scottish Parliament Committee.
As there is too much work for all 129 MSPs to work together they will break out into smaller groups to look carefully at the parliaments business. Each committee will specialise in a particular area like Health or Education and they can use committees to introduce, amend or scrutinise legislation.
What is an example of MSPs work in committees?@
the Health and Sports committee worked on the new Organ Donation law in Scotland which sees people having to opt out rather than opt in.
