PARLIAMENT VS GOVERNMENT: WHO’S WHO AND WHAT’S WHAT?

We are learning to… Compare and contrast the makeup of the Scottish Parliament with the Scottish Government. Explain what each political body does Outline various important roles within the Parliament and Government

I can… Distinguish between Parliament and Government Explain the various roles and activities of Parliament and Government Outline the roles of the First Minister of Scotland and the Presiding Officer of the Parliament.

MSPs There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). SNP: 63 MSPs CONSERVATIVES: 31 MSPs LABOUR: 24 MSPs LIBERAL DEMOCRATS: 5 MSPs GREEN PARTY: 6 MSPs

MSPs The 129 MSPs in Scotland fall into two categories. 73 MSPs are known as Constituency MSPs. Constituency MSPs represent a small, specific area of the country. For example, Willie Coffey was elected in 2016 to represent the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley Constituency. The 129 MSPs in Scotland fall into two categories. Constituency MSPs Regional MSPS

The other 56 MSPs are known as Regional MSPs. Scotland is also split into 8 regions. Each of the these regions elects 7 MSPs. 7 MSPs x 8 Regions = 56 Regional MSPs Kilmarnock is located within the South Scotland Region. The other 7 regions are: Central Scotland Glasgow Highland & Islands Lothian Mid Scotland & Fife North East Scotland West Scotland This means that every Scottish person has 8 MSPs that represent them in parliament.

ALL 129 MSPs MAKE UP THE PARLIAMENT. KEY POINTS: ALL 129 MSPS HAVE THE SAME BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY – to represent their constituents! ALL 129 MSPs FOLLOW THE SAME CODE OF CONDUCT AND ARE HELD TO THE SAME RULES/REGULATIONS (more info later…) ALL 129 MSPs MAKE UP THE PARLIAMENT.

Role of the Parliament The 129 members of the Scottish Parliament will take part in activities such as debating new laws and voting on legislation. There are two key roles of Parliament: to suggest/pass laws and to scrutinise the work of the Government. For a law to be made in Parliament, more than half of MSP’s must vote ‘For’ – 65 MSPS minimum. We will look in more detail at these roles in the coming periods.

If all 129 MSPs make up the PARLIAMENT then who are the GOVERNMENT? Following an election, the leader of the party with the most seats (MSPs) is usually asked to try and form the government. After a formal vote in Parliament, the party leader will usually become the First Minister of Scotland. The current First Minister is Nicola Sturgeon. 2016 Parliamentary vote for FM

The First Minister will then choose who he/she would like to be his Ministers. These heads of department, alongside the FM, are known altogether as the Scottish Cabinet. Ministers are put in charge of a particular government department. For example there is the Minister for Health & Sport, Minister for Education & Skills and Minister for Justice. Each Minister will have junior ministers and civil servants (employed staff) that work for the Government and carry out it’s duties. The First Minister and his/her Scottish Cabinet of Ministers are the Scottish Government. The current Scottish Cabinet. May 2016 - present

Mix and Match Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport Deputy First Minister Roseanna Cunningham MSP Cabinet Secretary for Finance & the Constitution Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism & External Affairs John Swinney MSP Shona Robinson MSP Fiona Hyslop MSP Angela Constance MSP Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security & Equalities Keith Brown MSP Cabinet Secretary for Justice http://www.gov.scot/About/People/Ministers Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs & Fair Work Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy & Connectivity Derek Mackay MSP Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Michael Matheson MSP

CHECKPOINT! Who is currently the MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley? How many MSPs are elected from each Scottish Region? How many MSPs must vote “For” a new law or a change to a law to pass in the Scottish Parliament? Willie Coffey MSP (SNP) 7 MSPs from each region giving 56 Regional MSPs overall! 65 – a law/amendment can only be passed in the SP if over half of MSPs agree to it

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham MSP Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills Angela Constance MSP Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security & Equalities Keith Brown MSP Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs & Fair Work Shona Robinson MSP Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport Derek Mackay MSP Cabinet Secretary for Finance & the Constitution Fiona Hyslop MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism & External Affairs Michael Matheson MSP Cabinet Secretary for Justice Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy & Connectivity

What does the Scottish Government actually do? Although the Scottish Government consists of MSPs, these MSPs hold additional responsibilities thanks to their positions in government. The Scottish Government works to: Implement Government policy ie put it into action (provide information and services for individual people and organisations by ensuring Scotland’s devolved powers are carried out)

Difference between Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government Is made up of all 129 MSPs Come from all parties/are independent Keep the government in check by debating and scrutinising its decisions. Has the power to suggest new laws/ pass new laws Government Led by First Minister Made up of the party/parties that win the election Form a ‘Cabinet’ who are in charge of certain policy areas These are split into the Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers (currently 26 members of the Scottish Government) They implement new laws

Remember!! All ministers/cabinet secretaries are MSPs, this means that they are part of two separate but overlapping groups: The Scottish Government (Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries) The Scottish Parliament (ALL MSPs)

Tasks Copy the diagram below then answer the questions which follow: Which party got the most seats in Parliament following the 2016 Scottish election? 2. Would this party alone be able to pass laws in Parliament if everyone in the party voted in favour? Explain your answer. 3. Explain in your own words the difference between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government. Scottish Parliament (129 MSPs) First Minister Cabinet Ministers Ordinary MSPs Scottish Government

The First Minister Voted for by MSPs The head of the Scottish Government and has overall responsibility for policies of the Government Needs to ensure these policies are put into place Represents the Government in the media and meetings with other political leaders Selects the MSPs that will form his/her Government

Role of the First Minister The role of First Minister is not a simple one. They represent not only their political party and the Government, but the people of Scotland at large therefore the First Minister is charged with making decisions which are in the best interests of all Scottish citizens and not just those who voted for their party. Role of the First Minister (FM) Checks on the power of the FM Coalition Partners have a say in formulating policies. Responsible for the policies linked to the devolved powers. Has the responsibility to ensure policies are implemented effectively and efficiently Accountable to the Scottish Parliament; takes part in FMQT weekly. Appoints Ministers in the Scottish Government (Cabinet) First Minister’s own party may not like the compromises made on policies with other MSPs causing conflict First Minister will be under pressure from party in Westminster. Operates as the main link between Westminster and the Scottish Parliament. Spokesperson for the Government within Parliament

Presiding Officer One MSP is elected to chair the meetings in parliament He/she is elected by fellow MSPs Needs to be independent and keep order between parties The current Presiding Officer is Ken MacIntosh. The Presiding Officer is supported in his duties by two Deputy Presiding Officers. Linda Fabiani MSP and Christine Grahame MSP were elected to these roles on Thursday 12 May 2016 Presiding Officer 2016

Presiding Officer Who is the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament? What is the function of the Presiding Officer? The Presiding Officer sets aside all political loyalties and acts as a neutral chairperson and referee in debates in the Scottish Parliament. The Presiding Officer is elected by his/her fellow MSPs. David Steel was the first presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament. There have been 5 Presiding Officers in total. The current P.O is Ken MacIntosh MSP who resigned from the Labour Party upon his election to the role. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36279028 Halting a Debate Don't mess with Tricia

Question Task What does the Presiding Officer do within the Scottish Parliament? Why does the Presiding Officer need to be independent/resign from their political party? Explain your answer. EXAM STYLE ANSWER 6 marks

Research the following: Complete for Homework Research the following: 3 of the First Ministers of Scotland since 1999. Name/Age Political Party Career Background First Minister from – to? Major accomplishments or disasters whilst in office. Any other interesting facts! And: 2 of the Presiding Officers of the Scottish Parliament since 1999. Name/Age Political Party before taking up post Career Background Presiding Officer from – to? What kind of Presiding Officer were they? Fair? Tough? Any other interesting facts!

Extension Tasks Since the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 there have been both coalition and majority governments. Explain, in detail, why some people believe a coalition government is the best way of governing Scotland and why some people believe a majority government is the best way of governing Scotland. (8 marks)