Scottish parliament and government Flashcards
(42 cards)
How many MSPs are there?
129
How many MSPs are selected using FPTP?
73 (57% of the total)
How many MSPs are additional members chosen through party lists?
56 (43% of the total)
How does Scotland’s system of additional members work?
They are elected in 8 multi member regions, each of which selects 7 members using a regional list system of PR. These seats are allocated to parties on a corrective basis so that the distribution of seats more accurately reflects the vote share of the parties
What does the Scottish government do?
Draws up policy proposals and implements legislation
Who heads up the government and appoints the cabinet?
The first minister. This is usually the leader of the largest party
Who ruled between 1999-2007?
A Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition
What has been the governing party since 2007?
The SNP
Who did Nicola Sturgeon replace as SNP leader in 2014?
Alex Salmond
What was the governing arrangement in 2021?
The Greens and SNP are engaged in a power sharing agreement. It falls short of a coalition but has meant that the greens have gained two ministerial positions in return for pledging to support the SNP in major parliamentary votes
What did the 1998 Scotland Act do?
Gave Scottish parliament primary legislative authority over a range of policy areas, such as law and order, health and education. It also gave the Scottish parliament tax raising powers
How many pieces of legislation has the Scottish parliament passed since its creation?
Over 300
What are reserved powers?
Policy areas that remain the sole responsibility of Westminster
State three reserved powers
- UK constitution
- Defence and national security
- Foreign policy
How did the 1998 Scotland Act preserve parliamentary sovereignty?
Stated that Westminster remains sovereign in all areas, but has chosen to exercise this sovereignty by devolving responsibility and diminishing its own powers. Westminster retained the right to overrule Scotland in devolved policy areas. It could theoretically dissolve Holyrood
What were the two main stipulations of the 2016 Scotland Act?
- Westminster will not legislate on dissolved matters without consent
- Scottish parliament and government are a permanent part of the UK’s constitutional arrangements and can therefore not be abolished without the consent of a referendum
What did the UK government set up after the SNP entered office in 2007?
The Calman Comission, which considered the potential for further devolution
What did the Calman Commission recommend?
Giving Scottish parliament the power to control the rate of income tax. This was enacted in the 2012 Scotland Act
What put on independence referendum on the agenda?
The SNP’s landslide victory in 2011
How did Westminster get around the fact that the constitution is a reserved matter during the independence referendum?
It granted a section 30 order, giving Scottish parliament temporary powers to hold a referendum
Who fronted the Yes Scotland campaign?
The SNP
What did the Yes Scotland campaign argue?
That the people of Scotland were in the best place to make decisions about Scotland, highlighting the social and economic policies an SNP government would pursue
What was the SNPs vision for Scottish independence?
Wanted an independent Scotland that would keep a ‘personal union’ with the UK. They would retain the Queen as their head of state and the pound as a currency union with the UK. Scotland would have its own constitution and gain full responsibility for welfare, foreign and defence policy
What was the pro union campaign called and who was it supported by?
Better Together, it was supported by Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems
