Democracy in Scotland National Qualifications

Lesson Starter Who’s Who? Can you work out their names? Political Parties? Positions held?

Today we will… Outline the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. Compare the different parts of the Parliament and the Government.

Success Criteria I can record notes about the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament which outline their different roles.

The Scottish Government & The Scottish Parliament What’s the difference? The Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 MSPs that have been elected by the people of Scotland. Below shows the results of the 2011 election: 2011 Election results PartyNumber of Seats Scottish Labour37 Scottish National Party69 Scottish Liberal Democrats5 Scottish Conservative Party15 Green Party2 Independent Candidate1 Total129

Note Taking You will hear a presentation on the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. As you listen, make notes on what you see and hear. When taking notes you do not have to copy everything. Just the main points. Choose the format you want to take notes in: bullet points, mind map, diagram etc.

The Scottish Parliament As you can see from the table, there are a mixture of political parties. Each MSP that has a seat is a part of the Scottish Parliament. Therefore the Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 MSPs from a mixture of political parties, and possibly independent candidates (people who stand for election without a political party). The 129 members of the Scottish Parliament will take part in activities such as debating new laws and voting. For a law to be made in Parliament, more than half of these MSP’s must vote ‘For’.

The Scottish Government The leader of the party with the most seats will normally become First Minister. The First Minister will then choose who he would like to be his Ministers. Ministers will look after a particular area (much like your Head Teacher has Principal Teachers to look after particular departments). For example there is the Minister for Health, Minister for Education and Minister for Culture and Sport. These heads of department, Ministers, are known altogether as the Cabinet. The First Minister and his Scottish Cabinet of Ministers is the Scottish Government.

Scottish Government Copy into your jotter

Was I successful? I can record notes about the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament which outline their different roles.