1. Starter: How effective are MSPs in scrutinising the work of the SG
Sort the following under what you believe to be the correct heading
Committees
FMQTs
Parliamentary question time
Voting
Debates
Members bills
More effective
Less effective

2. Today we will… Success Criteria
Outline the role of the First Minister and the Cabinet
Describe limitations of the First Ministers role
Success Criteria
Explain the role of the First Minister and the Cabinet
Understand limitations of the First Ministers role on influencing the work of the executive

3. The role of the First Minister & Cabinet

4. Overview of the Role of the First Minister
Accountable to Parliament
Implements government Policy
Appoints Cabinet
The First Minister
Promotes Scotland abroad
Head of
cabinet

5. Appoints the Scottish Cabinet
One of the most obvious roles of the FM is to appoint MSPs who will become Cabinet Secretaries and ministers who form the executive.
The FM must ensure that competent MSPs hold roles in government as they will be held directly responsible for ministers’ decisions. The FM will replace any secretaries whom they feel are underperforming. These departments successes and weakness directly reflects on the effectiveness of the executive as a whole. Sturgeon also introduced a equal Cabinet- appointing members with gender neutrality. (6-6)
In July 2018, Nicola Sturgeon oversaw a “Cabinet reshuffle”, moving ministers to different positions. This also sparked the resignation of Health secretary Shona Robison prior to the reshuffle. Robison came under scrutiny for failing to meet targets surrounding the NHS.

6. Head of the Cabinet
The FM sets the Cabinet agenda outlining the issues being discussed and also chairs these meetings, as they are the head of the Cabinet and leader of the Scottish executive.
As the FM sets the Cabinet agenda, this allows them to have significant influence over Governmental policy allowing the FM to influence policy/legislation in line with their parties political agenda and project their vision for Scotland. The FM must ensure the Cabinet agenda is up-to-date and the meetings move at a reasonable pace, ensuring the efficiency of the executive formulating and introducing government policy. Meaning they can decide the focus of Cabinet, and the amount of time that each issue is discussed for.
This is an important power, because it means that they decide on what the most important issues the government has to deal with are, and they can leave off the agenda anything they do not wish to have discussed. They can set the priorities for government and manage the discussion of Ministers.

7. Head of the Cabinet
However, this can be hard to do in a minority or coalition government. As the FM could be forced to appoint important members of the executive from parties out with their own, this can infringe on the influence of the FM.
For example, Jack McConnell (Labour) appointed 3 Lib Dems to his Cabinet such as Nicol Steven MSP due to their coalition in 2003.
From the 2016 election the SG is an SNP minority government. During these times the FM has less ability to “get their own way” as they will have to negotiate with other parties more. This encourages cross-party negotiations to take place

8. Head of the Cabinet
However, Sturgeon said that she would be willing to listen to others in the course of her minority administration- CONSENSUS politics – example support for John Finnie’s (Green MSP) smacking ban bill.
Analysis – Since the FM and the SG are responsible for all most policies and legislation in Scotland, it is clear that they are hugely important in terms of decision-making for Scotland. Most bills passed by Parliament are Government bills and so this underlines the important role of the FM and the significance of the SG in terms of decision-making.

9. 3 mins
In your notepad summarise these roles of the First Minister- use a real life example.
Once you have did this share your findings with your partner
Be ready to share your summary with the class!

10. Accountable to Parliament
The FM is accountable for the actions of himself/herself and the Scottish Government.
This is primarily seen at First Ministers Question Time. This takes place every Thursday (45 minutes)
FMQT is the Parliaments chance to scrutinise the work of the government. Although opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs will often use this as a time to score points and embarrass the Scottish Government.

11. Promoting and representing Scotland abroad
The FM has a crucial role in representing Scotland on the world stage. Alex Salmond visited China on more than one occasion during his time as FM, in order improve trade-links with the country and with an eye on attracting foreign investment and jobs to Scotland.
He also attended sporting events to represent Scotland, including the Wimbledon Final in 2013.
Analysis – This gives the FM tremendous influence as they are essentially figureheads for Scotland and can have an impact on Scottish economic policy by raising the profile of the nation abroad and by attracting investment therefore improving international relations.

12. Promoting and representing Scotland abroad
The high profile nature of the First Minister’s role has courted controversy in the past however.
Scotland is a constituent nation of the UK – our Head of State is therefore technically the Queen.
Moreover, Foreign Relations and Trade, are a RESEVRED issue. This suggests that, at least in technical terms, the main representative of Scotland in negotiations and international matters is the Prime Minister/UK gov.
For example, the Scottish government’s relationship with China has been called into question on several occasions; China is one of our prominent trade partners (for whiskey and other Scottish products) however, trade deals are created on the basis of UK law and not Scot law. Alex Salmond’s perusal of China based trade deals caused heavy friction between UK and Scottish governments.

13. Responsible for implementation of Government policies
The vast majority of Laws passed in the SP come from the SG (about 80%). Although Government Bills can be proposed by cabinet secretaries, the overall responsibility for government policy lies with the FM.
The FM and SG are also responsible for ensuring that these policies are implemented. As the SNP held a majority from with seats they could press on with implementing their policies as they could rely on the support from the majority of parliament. Alex Salmond’s SNP Governments introduced a number of bills with have been successfully passed and implemented.
For example, the abolition of prescription charges in 2011 and the Offensive Behaviour at Football legislation in 2012.

14. Responsible for implementation of Government policies
The FM and SG are also responsible for agreeing a BUDGET each year. This is where they decide on spending on each of the devolved areas which effect the day-to-day lives of the people of Scotland. The executive manages an annual budget of around £35 billion and this is divided up to each Cabinet Secretary for their department.
Analysis – This illustrates the decision-making power of the FM and the SG. Most bills which successfully become law come from the Scottish Government and are approved by the FM. The SG decide on the Scottish budget each year meaning that they can focus spending on the areas which they feel are priorities.

15. Responsible for implementation of Government policies
However, again during coalition and minority governments the power of the FM is reduced significantly and they can not always pass laws easily. During the SNP minority Government from , the SG introduced a number of bills, including the 2010 Minimum Pricing of Alcohol Bill, which were rejected by MSPs.
Compromise becomes a major part of the workings of the SG during these types of Government parties bargain which each other in order to get what they want.
Furthermore, although the SG decide on the budget annually, this is a budget which is based on the money which they receive from Westminster each year. So if the British Government reduces the amount of money they give to the SP each year (as they have done continuously for the last several years) then the SG are less able to implement the policies they want successfully.

16. Responsible for implementation of Government policies
Analysis- It is clear then that the FM and their executive’s power to propose policies and implement them can be severely restricted. Particularly during minority or coalition governments, since the SG’s ability to implement laws is limited by other MSPs and by Westminster.
Crucially, the SG have no say whatsoever when it comes to reserved issues. Immigration, defence and welfare are the sole responsibility of Westminster on so the SG has no power to initiate policy in these areas.
Analysis- This shows that although the SG and FM can propose and implement policies on devolved matters they have absolutely no decision-making power on reserved issues which still affect Scottish people and their everyday lives.
Other than Budget what else might the SG not have power over?

17. Summarise
In your notepad summarise the success of the executive passing governmental legislation
- Make reference to majority/minority and coalition governments.

18. Members bills- INEFFECTIVE SCRUTINY
KEY EXAMPLE: As only 10% of bills passed in Scottish Parliament come from members bills, it can be said they provide no real power in scrutinising the work of government and provoking a change in legislation. As, such little time is allocated to these bills.