work of MSPS (Democracy) Flashcards
Para 1
P-MSPs/MPs can represent their constituents by holding regular surgeries.
E-MSPs and MPs must consider the views/problems of their constituents.
EX- Our MSP DT holds his surgery at Sainsbury (Kirkcaldy) and The Toll in Burntisland where he will be able to deal with devolved matters.
A- This emphasizes how accessible these surgeries are for everybody
Furthermore- David Torrance voices the concerns of his constituents
EX-DT put a question to the Transport Minister and took part in debates
A-shows that he was representing the interests of his constituents as these issues were impacting on constituents livelihoods.
PARA 2
P-MSPs/MPs can ask questions and take part in debates.
E-In a debate the MSP/MP can speak on a matter which affects his constituents.
EG during the Welfare Reform Bill, our local MP LL spoke up about the effects of the Welfare cuts on her constituents.
A-This shows how our MPs/MSPs voice their constituents concerns to try and bring about a change
Furthermore- An MP can write to a Minister to get a problem solved on a reserved matter like immigration
EX- Neil Harvey wrote to the Home Secretary to help a family with a problem regarding visas.
There was the danger that the wife involved could be deported.
A-This suggests that representatives do have opportunities to raise constituency matters but this does not always guarantee a ‘victory’ for the representative or his/her constituents.
PARA 3
P-MSPs and MPs have an important role to play in the Committee system.
E-The committees are seen as the ‘engine room’ of the SP where most of Parliament’s work gets done.
EX-Our local MSP DT is a member of the EOC
A- This shows that our local MSP is motivated when it comes to trying to pass bills
F- The intervention of a committee can result in companies being embarrassed into complying with the laws of the land.
EX- In the House of Commons Starbucks, Google and Amazon had to appear before the Public Accounts Committee; this led to Amazon announcing in 2016 that it would pay back £130m in backdated tax to HMRC
A- This proves that Comittees do have an impact in politics and are effective
PARA 4
P-MSPs/MPs can introduce Members Bills
E-MSPs have the right to propose 2 Bills each session. If the Bill has the support of the Government it may well pass.
EX- In 2018, Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products available for free in schools, colleges and universities.
A- This shows how these sessions can pass bills possibly suggested by the MP/MSPs constituents
H- Not all bills are passed
E- Some bills get turned down by parliment
EX -The late Margo McDonald’s introduced an ‘Assisted Suicide’ Bill but it was defeated It was reintroduced by Patrick Harvie but again defeated.
A- This emphasizes that some bills wont be passed and constituents could be left unsatisfied
