the role of political representatives Flashcards
FMQT Pro
This largely consists of opposition leaders
holding the FM to account by asking tough
questions.
• For example, Ruth Davidson the Conservative Party leader has criticised MSP criticised Nicola Sturgeon and
• Knowledge – ordinary MSPs can also ask questions of
Government Ministers. For example in February 2015, John
Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, asked:
“To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent
Celtic versus Rangers game had on police resources”.
• In addition, MSPs can ask questions to the Government at any time and receive written responses. These are called
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS.
• Analysis – The fact that opposition leaders and ordinary MSPs can question the Scottish Government shows that MSPs can influence decision-making and that they can also get the issues they want to talk about on the political agenda.
FMQT Against
however, FMQT only lasts 30 minutes
and is dominated by opposition party leaders. For
example, at the moment FMQT is mostly a chance for
the Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem leaders to grill
FM Nicola Sturgeon.
• Analysis – This means that ordinary MSPs have little
influence during FMQT as it is really just an
opportunity for opposition leaders to embarrass and
put pressure on the FM. However, ordinary MSPs can
still, submit written questions and get prompt
responses from the Government and also have the
opportunity to question government ministers at
general QT.
Committees Pro
Knowledge – Committees are small groups of between 5-15 MSPs
who meet on a regular basis to scrutinise the work of the
Scottish Government. This links with the founding principle of accountability.
• There are currently 17 committees in the Scottish Parliament.
They usually meet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
mornings.
• Within these committees, MSPs consider proposed legislation, gather evidence, listen to expert views on topics, conduct
inquiries. The committee can also propose bills themselves (committee bills).
• For example, before the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communication Bill became an Act (law) in 2012, the JUSTICE COMMITTEE scrutinised the proposed bill and
suggested changes. They invited expert witnesses to the
committee meetings to discuss the bill, for example, former footballer and current football pundit Pat Nevin was questioned.
Analysis – The fact that MSPs in committees have the ability to question and alter legislation, conducts inquiries and also propose their own legislation clearly shows that ordinaryMSPs can have a significant influence on decision-making in the ScottishParliament.
Committees Against
However, when the SNP had a majority in the SP,
most of the current committees were dominated by SNP MSPs. Although some of the Conveners (Chair) of committees are from other parties such as Labour, the SNP had a majority in most committees meaning that whenever anything comes to a vote, the
SNP would get what they want.
– The SNP controlled several committees including the Economy, Energy and
Tourism Committee and the Justice committee.
• Analysis – this meant that MSPs from other parties and also independent MSPs had virtually no influence within committees when there was a majority government. They can raise concerns and suggest ideas but ultimately the final decisions were made by majority vote, allowing the biggest party to dominate. Ordinary MSPs have more of an influence during minority or coalition governments where their votes are more important.
Members Bills Pro
Knowledge – ordinary MSPs have the right to
propose two bills each parliamentary session.
This links with the SP’s founding principle of
sharing power.
• Analysis – although the bills may not always
become laws this shows that ordinary MSPs
can exert some influence on the decision making
process.
• Knowledge – for example Patrick Harvie MSP
proposed the Offences (Aggravation by
Prejudice) Bill which became an Act in 2009.
This law is concerned with hate crimes
against gay and disabled people.
• However the late Margo MacDonald MSP
proposed the End of Life Assistance Bill,
which MSPs rejected in 2010.
• Analysis – The fact that MSPs can introduce their
own bills shows clearly that they can influence
decision-making. Although their bills do not always
become law they sometimes do and even bills that
fail can be placed higher up on the political agenda.
For example, following Margo MacDonald’s death,
the Green MSP Patrick Harvie has vowed to
reintroduce a bill to legalise assisted suicide in
Scotland.
Members Bill Against
– However, the vast majority of bills introduced in
Parliament is Government bills. About 80% of bills introduced each year come from the Scottish Government. MSPs do have the right to propose bills but it is more difficult for the opposition MSPs to have any success with this – many of these bills will fail
at the committee level.
• The Government can also adopt Member’s Bills it supports into its legislative programme.
• Analysis – Since most bills come from the Government and many Member’s bills fail it could be argued that ordinary MSPs do not have a significant impact on decision-making in the SP, particularly during majority governments (as is the case just now).
