SECTION 1—Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom

STUDY THEME A: Democracy IN SCOTLAND

1_Introduction

Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom (National 5) Unit Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the UK’s political system, including the place of Scotland within this system. Learners will then have a choice of contexts for study which will be drawn from either the Scottish political system or the United Kingdom’s political system. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the main institutions and organisations which make up political life in their chosen context. They will develop knowledge and understanding of the ways in which society is informed about, able to participate in and influence the political system. They will develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities in contemporary democratic political society. Knowledge and Understanding

Learners should have a broad knowledge and understanding of the nature of the democratic political system in the UK and the main political rights and responsibilities of citizens (eg right to free speech, to vote, to protest, to respect views of others, to participate, protest peacefully). Learners should know and understand the nature of the political system in the UK: ♦ The UK Parliament has responsibility for a range of (reserved) matters across the United Kingdom. ♦ The Scottish Parliament (and other devolved bodies) has responsibility for decision making for certain (devolved) matters in their own areas. ♦ Broad overview of the main political institutions in the UK: — The Monarchy — The UK Parliament and Scottish Parliament (and other devolved bodies) — Prime Minister and First Minister — UK Government and Scottish Government — Local councils ♦ Ongoing debates about the nature of the political system in the United Kingdom. Option 1: Democracy in Scotland Option 2: Democracy in the UK MSPs: ways in which MSPs represent constituents in local area and the Scottish Parliament. Local Councils: role of councils in

MPs: ways in which MPs represent constituents in local area and the UK Parliament. Second Chamber: role of the House of

CONNECTMake a list of everything you think you know about the Scottish Parliament.

Learning Intentions• Why the Scottish Parliament exists• What it has achieved• Criticisms

Devolution is the passing of powers or rights from one power to another; in this case the transfer of power

from Westminster Parliament to the Scottish Parliament.

Why?

Since 1707 Scotland has been part of the UK and until 1999 had no political independence, with all affairs governed from London. However, Scotland always kept an identity of its own, entirely separate from that of England and the other parts of the UK. That identity can be seen clearly at football and rugby matches involving the Scottish National teams. The legal system in Scotland is quite different from that of the rest of the UK, as is the education system. Scotland has its own church, its own media and its own culture. People in Scotland became increasingly disappointed with London government during the 1980s and early 1990s. Despite consistent support for Labour, Liberal Democrat and Scottish National Parties, Scotland had to accept a Conservative government elected mainly with votes from the south of England. A labour government was elected in 1997 with a manifesto promise of devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and held a Scottish Referendum (a vote on an issue that usually relates to the constitution).

In your own words answer the question… Why?

When the Scottish Parliament was set up there were a number of principles under which it was supposed to operate:

Accessibility – the Parliament in Edinburgh gives easy access to Scots.

Accountability – Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are accountable to the electorate.

Transparency – open government is to be seen to be operated.

Equal Opportunities – more women and ethnic minorities to be encouraged.

Distribution of Power – the Committee structure acts as a check on Ministers.

Representation and participation – a wide range of people are involved.

Consensus and Co-operation – coalition government helped here.

Illustrate each principle

The Scottish Parliament only has the power to deal with issues that affect Scotland - it can deliver 'Scottish solutions to Scottish problems' by passing laws on

Devolved Matters.

Devolved Matters Reserved Matters

HealthExample - Free prescriptions introduced in 2011

DefenceExample - Scottish troops deployed to Afghanistan

EducationExample - Abolition of student tuition fees and introduction of Curriculum for Excellence.

ImmigrationExamples - limits to the number of new migrants; applies to Scotland

Local GovernmentExample - Introduction of the Single Transferable Vote System (STV)

Social SecurityExample - introduction of tax credits; also available in Scotland

Justice, the Courts and the PoliceExample - Abolishing short term prison sentences under 3 months.

Foreign AffairsExample - Carbon Emission Reduction Target; also apply to Scotland.

Grey Areas

Sometimes, the division between these powers can be blurred causing real confusion amongst Scottish people and conflict

between the Parliaments.

Achievements of the Scottish Parliament

Since its first meeting in 1999, the Scottish Parliament has had four sessions, spanning over a decade.

The Labour-Liberal coalition banned smoking in public places, which has certainly helped improve Scotland’s health record. And introduced free personal care for the elderly, which allows them to stay at home with additional support provided by the government. Free Personal Care

SNP abolished bridge tolls in Scotland outlawed offensive , sectarian and threatening behaviour at football matches, reintroduced free prescriptions, prevented the display of tobacco products, introduced minimum pricing for alcohol and introduced gay marriage.You Tube: Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill

Achievements

Criticisms• Spent more on healthcare per head of population than the rest of the UK but

health is still worse.• Unsustainable – no tuition fees, no prescription charges• Made some expensive mistakes – Construction of the Holyrood building when

the budge spiralled out of control and cost the taxpayer over £400 million. Scottish Parliament voted to accept the Edinburgh Tram project which has created 14km of track for an estimated £1 bn.

• Most critics suggest however, that the Parliament would have achieved more if it received more powers.

This house believes that the SP provides Scottish Solutions to Scottish Problems.

Summary: Has it worked?

Devolution has had a significant impact on decision making for Scotland. It has allowed the Scottish Parliament to tailor decision making to deal with specific Scottish problems such as poor health and various problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption, including dangers on the roads. Arguably, not all decisions the Scottish Government has made have had a positive impact on Scotland. The Scottish Parliament has made some expensive mistakes such as the cost of the Parliament building and the cost of the tram project.

West Lothian Question:

• Explain why the West Lothian Question Angers some English people.

• Do you think that they are justified?

• Describe the West Lothian Question.• Use an example to explain the controversy.• Why is it not just a simple fact of MPs abstaining

on these issues.

Describe, in detail, two devolved mattes which the Scottish Parliament can make decisions about for Scotland. 4

The Scottish Government is the name given to the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet and politically neutral Scottish Civil Servants. The First Minister and Cabinet make decisions for Scotland based on their manifesto promises. However, they rely on the other MSPs to vote on legislation so that they can put their promises into action.

Role of the First Minister:

Responsible for the policies linked to the devolved powersHas the responsibility to ensure policies are implementedAppoints the Ministers in the Scottish Government (Cabinet)Operates as the link between Westminster and the Scottish Parliament

Checks on the power of the First Minister:If there is a coalition government coalition partners had a say in formulating policies. They also would have to be accommodated within the executive (Deputy First Minister)If the First Minister is in a minority government or a coalition government compromises will have to be made on government policy.SNP minority government could be outvoted at any time.Currently the SNP are in a majority government, but they only have a majority of one – they have to work hard to keep SNP MSPs happy, so they always vote in support of the governmentFirst Minister is accountable to the Scottish Parliament – many more parties there.

Powers of First Minister Makes the First Minister Powerful Because...

Power of Appointment - appoints the Scottish Cabinet and Government ministers whips and senior servants.

First Minister can reward supporters and not appoint or sack enemies. If a coalition government is in place then the coalition partners will be rewarded with ministerial roles. If a majority government is in place, their party members will be rewarded with ministerial positions.

Runs the Government - discusses issues with Cabinet but makes the decisions which become Government policy. Voters have given the SNP a narrow mandate to govern.

Ministers must support a policy in public whether or not they agree with it in Cabinet. This principle of Collective Responsibility gives the impression of unity and strong leadership.

International role - showcases Scotland at international events and negotiates with foreign leaders and the UK Government and Prime Minister. However, this influence is limited because foreign affairs is a reserved issue.

Media coverage focuses on the First Minister as the leader and positive coverage attracts the support of voters. This can be helpful in giving the First Minister more influence in dealing with Westminster - particularly if he/she belongs to a different party than the Prime Minister. This is the current situation, with Alex Salmond (First Minister) a member of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Prime Minister a member of the Conservative Party.

Majority Leader - leads the largest party in parliament. Therefore, can push the party's agenda.

Government policies get greater media attention than those of the opposition parties.

Describe, in detail the role of the First Minister. 6m

Describe, in detail, the powers of the First Minister 4

Powers of the Scottish Parliament Supervises the Executive - It carefully watches what the Scottish Executive is doing by asking oral and written questions which Ministers have to answer to the Parliament. In the committees MSPs can carefully examine what the Scottish Executive is doing. These Committees can tell Ministers to attend to be questioned about the things they have done or the things they have not done. Makes laws - The Scottish Parliament can make laws on devolved matters. It examines all the Bills sent to it. It can amend any Bill and votes to decide whether or not the Bill can become a law. Investigates Issues - The Scottish Parliament can conduct inquiries into any subject it wants and it can publish reports about its findings. It can debate important issues even on subjects about which it is not allowed to pass laws. Change taxes - The Scottish Parliament also has the power to raise or lower the basic rate of income tax by up to 10p in the pound.

Laws are introduced to the Scottish Parliament as Bills –

• Bills can be introduced by the Scottish Executive to change the ways they are able to run Scotland. Executive Bills are introduced to the Parliament by a Minister. This is the main source of Bills that successfully become laws.• Also, any of the committees of the Scottish Parliament have the right to introduce Bills. Committee Bills are introduced by the chairperson of a committee. The committee may have been investigating a particular issue and decided it was necessary to change the law.• Any MSP who is not a member of the Executive can introduce a Member's Bill. The Bill is printed if it gets support from eleven other MSPs. The MSP can then introduce it to the Scottish Parliament.• Private Bills can be introduced by a member of the public (other than an MSP) or an organisation.

Stages of a Bill

Stage 1: Parliament considers the general principles or main ideas of the Bill. This is usually done first by Parliamentary committees, before a debate is held in the chamber of the Parliament.

Stage 2: Parliamentary committees look a the Bill in detail. Amendments are listed and debated by the committees.

Stage 3: This is the final debate about the Bill by the whole Parliament. A final vote is taken and if the Bill is passed it will go to be signed by the Queen. This is called the Royal Assent. It has now become an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

To sum up:• Committees examine Bills and suggest changes before they become law• MSPs can also persuade the committee to propose a new bill to change the law• They can call Ministers from the Executive and also officials to answer questions

and give evidence to the committee or ask experts to give evidence to help the committee understand issues more clearly.

• They can also investigate issues and propose changes

Explain, in detail, how new laws are passed in the Scottish parliament. 8

Reflect

• Do you understand the differences between devolved and reserved powers

• Can you explain what powers the FM has• Can you explain how a bill becomes law

If so briefly summarise all of the above in blue.