Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in A Democracy Section 1
Below is a table of words and definitions. The words have been placed beside the wrong definitions. Cut and paste the correct word beside the correct definition, or draw a similar table in your jotter and fill it in.
Draw the table in your jotter, and fill in the right hand side by providing your own definition. Look up the words in a dictionary or check with the word bank to see how many you got right. A type of political system where people have SINGLE MEMBER CONSTITUENCY their say on who will become their representatives and the laws that will be made
PROPORTIONAL A particular local area that elects one MSP to REPRESENTATION represent it.
The idea of “taking part”. In this case taking MEMBERS OF THE SCOTTISH part in a democracy and influencing the PARLIAMENT (MSPs) decisions that are made. The system of voting where the number of DEMOCRACY seats won in the Parliament should be similar to the number of votes each party receives in an election. The idea of acting on behalf of someone else. PARTICIPATION For example, MSPs represent their constituents (the people living in the area where they were elected). Made up of a group of constituencies REPRESENTATION representing a wide geographical area and represented by seven MSPs RIGHTS Things you are expected to do and should do
The individuals elected to serve and represent RESPONSIBILITIES the people of Scotland in Parliament. There are 129 MSPs. DEVOLVED MATTERS Areas that the Scottish Parliament can make laws on RESERVED MATTERS Areas that the UK Parliament in Westminster still make laws on REGION Things you are entitled to do
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in A Democracy Section 2
Could you represent the people in your area?
Are you good at debating?
Can you make decisions on behalf of other people?
Are you good at listening to different points of view?
You could apply to your local political party or stand as an independent candidate and perhaps become a
Selection of Candidates for the Scottish Parliament
The majority of people who want to be a representative in the Scottish Parliament have to participate in a selection process. This is a bit like applying for a job. They may be interviewed, possibly have to give talks and answer questions about their ideas and what they want to do in the Parliament, in the constituency or region.
Many will have to persuade the political party they belong to that they would make the best representative in the Parliament for the people in their area and that they would also be good party workers.
The different political parties all have their own way of selecting candidates. This is how the main parties have selected their candidates in recent elections:
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The Scottish Labour Party
In 1999, a Selection Board was made up of people from the UK and Scottish sections of the Labour Party. They drew up a list of approved candidates.
Labour wanted to achieve better elected representation of women in the Scottish Parliament and therefore in their selection process they paired constituencies. Two constituencies were brought together as selection partners, working to choose the two best people, one a man and the other a woman, to be the Labour candidates for their constituencies.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
In 1999, the vetting of parliamentary candidates was carried out by a four-member Board appointed by the Party’s ruling body. The Board was independent of all other sections of the Party. It oversaw the fairness of selection procedures although candidates were selected by the Party’s members in each constituency.
The Scottish Green Party
The Scottish Green Party only fielded candidates in the regional lists. They held a postal ballot in the region, with the candidates being ranked in order of preference. There was also the chance to put a “negative vote” against the name of a candidate that was thought to be totally unsuitable.
The Scottish Liberal Democratic Party
The Liberal Democrats created a list of approved candidates from which local party sections were able to select the person who would represent them in the election. The Party at national level asked the local parties to be aware of the need to have more women in the Parliament but this was not made compulsory.
The SNP had a list of approved candidates from which the local SNP constituency parties were able to nominate candidates. If there is more than one candidate nominated in the constituency all the members of the party in the area vote by Single Transferable Vote to select the candidate.
PROSPECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES
The people who stand in the election hoping to be chosen as Members of the Scottish Parliament are known as Prospective Parliamentary Candidates.
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Most candidates belong to a political party and have been selected as the representative of that party. Once the party has chosen who they want as their candidate then that person will be given lots of support and help. For example, Shona Robison is a member of the Scottish National Party, and is a Member of the Scottish Parliament. How did she become an MSP?
1. Shona joined the SNP when she was 22 years old. 2. She persuaded the Party that she would make a good MSP and was put on the Regional list for North East Scotland at the 1999 elections. She was successfully elected for that region as an MSP. 3. For the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections, Shona was selected from SNP prospective candidates to be the candidate for the Dundee City East Constituency. 4. The local party supported Shona in her election campaign 5. Shona was successful in being elected as MSP for the Dundee City East constituency and is now their representative in the Scottish Parliament.
Not all candidates will be members of a political party. Some people choose to stand as Independent Candidates. They must find support for their campaign from people who feel they would make a good representative for the area. If they are successful they can become an Independent MSP in the Scottish Parliament.
In the 2011 elections there was one successful Independent candidate. This was Margo MacDonald who is now an MSP for the Lothians Region.
Not all candidates who stand for election to the Parliament are successful. Indeed as there are only 129 seats in the Parliament the vast majority of candidates will be unsuccessful. They will have to wait for the next election before they compete for the opportunity to: 1. Be selected by their political parties. 2. Stand as a prospective parliamentary candidate. 3. Try to persuade enough constituents to vote for them and become an MSP.
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Activities
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Describe in detail how at least two of the political parties selected prospective parliamentary candidates.
2. Explain how the Labour Party sought to increase the number of female prospective parliamentary candidates.
3. Using the case studies on page 3, explain the main difference between the election of Shona Robison MSP and an Independent MSP.
4. ONLINE ACTIVITY: Find out who was successful at the Scottish Parliament elections in your constituency and region by going to the Scottish Parliament’s website www.scottish.parliament.uk click on the section MSPs and follow the instructions.
Copy the following table into your jotter and fill in the details from the information you find. This activity can also be done as a group activity to produce a wall chart of your constituency, and regional MSPs who represent you. (You may want to add other information; such as the Committees they sit on, their addresses to write to them or any other interesting information.) What does your class feel is important to record about your MSPs? THE CONSTITUENCY MSP
The name of my constituency is:
The name of my constituency MSP is:
The Political Party my constituency MSP belongs to is:
The contact details for my constituency MSP are: Parliament: Constituency:
Email: [email protected]
THE REGIONAL MSPs (you will need to do seven of these)
The name of my region is:
The name of my regional MSP is:
The Political Party my regional MSP belongs to is:
The contact details for my regional MSP are: Parliament: Constituency:
Email: [email protected]
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Activities
Enquiry Skills
1. Some people have criticised the way the main Parties select their candidates saying that only people who always agree with their Party will be selected. What evidence is there that the Parties have a powerful say in who is chosen?
2. In your opinion, why do you think the Parties want to have a say in who is chosen as their prospective parliamentary candidates?
Political Party Number of Female MSPs Scottish Labour Party 17 Scottish National Party 19
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 6 Scottish Liberal Democratic Party 1 Scottish Green Party 1 Independents 1 45 Total Number of female MSPs 129 Total Number of MSPs
3. What evidence is there in the table above that women are under-represented as MSPs at the Parliament?
4. In your opinion, why do you think some people want to widen representation amongst women and minority groups?
Key Points People who want to become MSPs go through the same type of process as you would when applying for any job: interviews, presentations, etc. They need to convince their political party that they are the best person for the job. Different political parties have different methods of selecting people to be the person who will represent them in the election to become an MSP. Most of the main parties created a list of candidates from which the local party or branch was able to choose their preferred option. Some people have suggested that the parties’ central organisations have too much influence over the selection process. Some people are concerned that women and other minority groups are under- represented in the Scottish Parliament. Once people have been selected by their political parties they become Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, and their election campaign begins to try to win enough support from the voters in order to become an MSP.
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living In A Democracy Section 3 ELECTORATE All the people who have the right to vote in an election
When a person has been selected to stand in the election, the political parties and their candidates use a variety of methods during the election campaign to try and persuade the electorate to vote for them. There is a lot of hard work ahead! They may…
Vote
for 1. Put up ME! posters all over the area.
2. Ask people who they
10. Hold public are going to vote for meetings to discuss and perhaps organise their views and transport to take them meet with voters. to the polling station.
9. Interviews The candidates are competing with on the radio, each other to be chosen to become television and the MSP for their region or Vote in constituency. for newspapers. Each candidate needs to get her/his political message across to as many ME! people as they possibly can. Vote They try to persuade the electorate that they and their party's policies for would be the best for their area and ME! for Scotland. 3. Talk to people on the streets or go around the houses in the area.
8. Hand party leaflets to as many households and people as possible. 4. Try to persuade people right up to the very last minute at the doors of the polling 7. Visit local 6. Go around the stations. schools, hospitals, constituency with a businesses, etc. loudspeaker spreading their political message. 5. Attend a debate with the other prospective candidates.
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Election Day is one of the most important days for Scotland. It is the day when all the people who have the right to vote can decide who they want to represent them in the Scottish Parliament as their MSPs; the people who will make the laws that govern and influence all of our lives.
I agree with a lot of what this
person has to say. Can Everyone Vote?
Not everyone has the right to vote, for
She is a good listener and example, people
speaker so she’ll be good at under 18 years old
making sure my interests and and prisoners do
concerns are heard in not have the right
Parliament. to vote.
In the election for the Scottish Parliament around 4 million people had the right to vote. Of all the people who had the right to vote, known as the electorate, around 51% used this right and participated in the elections to the new Scottish Parliament.
Voter Turnout Voter turnout at the 2011 This is the number of election people from the electorate who actually vote in an election. 49% 51% % Electorate who
voted In a democracy it is % Electorate who did expected that if you not vote have the right to vote you should make the effort to vote.
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Voting took place between 7 am and 10 pm on Thursday 5th May 2011. The electorate was asked to choose between the different political parties and candidates. The candidates had campaigned and tried to persuade as many voters as they could; now it was the voters’ day of choice. Who would they choose to represent us and our interests in the Scottish Parliament? The pie chart below shows the decisions the electorate made at that election.
Total Number of Seats = 129
The election of May 2011 was part of the democratic process in Scotland when the people of Scotland were given the opportunity to choose their representatives. Our MSPs therefore have their position and power to make laws because of the consent of the voters shown in the results of the first elections to the Scottish Parliament.
At the election the electorate gave MSPs the right to represent them by making laws and taking decisions on their behalf. Activities
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Describe in detail four methods that a candidate may use to influence people to vote for her/him.
2. Describe in detail how people can participate in an election and an election campaign.
3. On what date were the most recent elections to the Scottish Parliament held?
4. Why do MSPs have the right to create laws and make decisions in the Scottish Parliament?
5. Describe in detail how people vote.
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Enquiry Skills
1. Imagine you are a candidate in an election. What methods do you think you would devote most time to and why?
SOURCE A
"I won't vote in elections to the Scottish Parliament because the important decisions are made in London by the House of Commons." James Truesdale
SOURCE B
"The very first Scottish Parliament election in 1999 was one of the most important days in my life. For years I had campaigned for a Scottish Parliament and now I had my chance to have my say in who I wanted to govern Scotland." Gillian Reynolds
2. (a) Source A and B give two different views on the elections to the Scottish Parliament. What are two of these differences?
(b) Do you think Election Day is one of the most important days for Scotland?
GrantThe vastRobertson majority of Scottish people have helped to choose our new representatives.” Grant Robertson
3. Using only the pie chart “Voter Turnout at the 2011 Election” why could Mr Robertson be accused of exaggeration?
4. Using only the pie chart “Number of Seats Won by Political Party in the Elections for the Scottish Parliament” create a bar graph of these results.
1. Why should you vote? Hold a class debate to discuss the reasons for taking part in elections. Look at the website for advice on holding a debate http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/education/resources/learningResources/5- 14envStudies.htm, or investigate the issue by making up a questionnaire to find out people’s views 2. Why do so many people not vote 3. How can voter turnout be increased?
The Electoral Reform Society thinks that the way elections are organised should be changed. You can find their views on www.electoral-reform.org.uk. The different political parties also have their own views. Try to find out more through the different political parties’ websites.
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Key Points
During the election campaign candidates employ a range of methods in order to try and influence as many people as they can to vote for them Elections allow people to choose who they want to represent them in the Parliament
Not everyone has the right to vote, for example, people under 18 cannot vote
Members of the Scottish Parliament are elected to represent the interests and concerns of
all the people who live in their constituency or region. The date for the first elections to the Scottish Parliament was 6th May 1999 58% of people in Scotland exercised their right to vote in the first Scottish Parliamentary elections in nearly 300 years. The results were Labour 56 seats, SNP 35, Conservative 18, Liberal Democrat 17, Green Party 1, Scottish Socialist 1 and Dennis Canavan won the seat for Falkirk West. On 1st May 2003, the second elections to the Scottish Parliament took place. The turnout of the electorate was 49% The results were Labour 50 seats, SNP 27, Conservative 18, Liberal Democrats 17, Green 7, Scottish Socialist 6, Scottish Senior Citizens’ Unity Party 1, and Independents 3 MSPs have the right to represent us in the Parliament because they were chosen in the election. On 3rd May 2007, the third elections to the Scottish Parliament took place. The turnout of the electorate was 52%. The results were: SNP 47 seats, Labour 46, Conservative 17, Liberal Democrats 16, Green 2 and 1 Independent. On 5th May 2011, the fourth election to the Scottish Parliament was held. The turnout of the electorate was around 51% The results were: SNP 69 seats, Labour 37, Conservative 15, Liberal Democrats 5, Green 2, Independent 1
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in a Democracy Section 4
Elections to the Scottish Parliament use a type of Proportional Representation (PR) to elect our representatives. This combines 2 systems of voting: the traditional system of elections in the United Kingdom called First Past the Post, and a system of voting called Additional Members System (AMS). In the election everybody has two votes.
CONSTITUENCY REGIONAL
This vote is for a Constituency This vote is for Regional representative representatives
Scotland is divided up into 73 Scotland is divided into 8 electoral electoral areas, known as areas known as regions. constituencies. People are given the choice of The electorate is given the choice of different political parties to vote for. different people, most of whom
belong to a political party, to vote for Each Party has a list of prospective to be their constituency candidates. representative. A particular mathematical formula is The person with the most votes in used to allocate additional members each constituency wins and from the various parties, based on
becomes the MSP for that the number of votes each party constituency. receives.
They are first past the post This system is used so that the winners . percentage of votes a party receives in the Election is about the same as the percentage of seats they win in the Scottish Parliament.
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The Additional Member System used by the Scottish Parliament creates eight Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to represent every person in Scotland. Here is how it worked for the constituency of Glasgow Anniesland in the region of Glasgow in the 2011 election.
This vote was to elect the person who would represent the constituency of Glasgow Anniesland. The results in that election were as follows.
Candidate Name Party Votes Cast Bill Butler Scottish Labour 10, 322 Bill Kidd Scottish National Party 10, 329 Marc Livingstone Communist party of Britain 256 Paul McGarry Scottish Liberal Democrats 1,000 Matthew Taylor Smith Scottish Conservative Party 2,011
As you can see in the above table Bill Kidd (SNP) won more votes than any other candidate in the constituency and therefore was elected as the constituency MSP for Glasgow Anniesland.
Glasgow Anniesland is a constituency in the region of Glasgow. Seven other MSPs were elected to represent the region. The second vote was for a political party and was counted from all the votes in the region using a mathematical formula that means the total number of seats a party receives in the election more accurately reflects the percentage of votes the party has received.
The Labour Party won 3 seats in the regional election. Hanzala Malik Drew Smith Anne McTaggart were the first three people on the Labour Party’s list.
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The Green Party won 1 seat in the regional election. Patrick Harvie was the first person on the Green Party list.
The Conservative Party won 1 seat in the regional election. Ruth Davidson was the first person on the Conservative list.
The SNP won two seats. Humza Yousaf and Bob Doris were the first two people on the SNP list.
By using the two methods of voting, First Past the Post and Additional Member System, it is hoped to combine the advantages of both systems.
First Past the Post Advantages First Past the Post Disadvantages
First Past the Post is easy for voters First Past the Post has been to understand. The candidate who described as being 'unfair', for wins more votes than any other example, what happens to the rest of candidate wins the seat. the votes for the other candidates? Some people who voted for the other There can be a strong link between candidates may feel they have the voters and their representative. 'wasted' their vote. Also, parties can The voters have one representative win elections with less than 50% of to remember and to contact if they the total votes cast. have any problems. First Past the Post rewards political parties who have a lot of support in particular constituencies and penalises parties whose support may be more widely spread throughout the country
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AMS Advantages AMS Disadvantages
Using proportional representation the Proportional Representation may use number of votes a party receives more a more complicated method of clearly reflects the number of seats it counting the votes and therefore can wins, hopefully ending the feeling of be more difficult for the voters to the 'wasted vote'. understand.
Proportional Representation may help Proportional Representation may smaller political parties gain seats and mean more than one representative representation in the Parliament. for an area and people can be confused about who is responsible for PR will often result in a coalition what and who they can go and see if government. This is when two or more they have a problem. parties will join forces to form the government. Some people suggest Coalition governments may be less that coalition governments are more stable than a majority government. If representative of the way people have the coalition parties disagree over too voted. much the coalition can be torn apart and the government falls.
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The table below shows the results for the election to the Parliament in May 2011.
Constituency Regional Political Party Total MSPs % of votes* % of seats MSPs MSPs Conservative 3 12 15 13.15 11.6
Green 0 2 2 2.2 1.6
Labour 15 22 37 29 28.7
Liberal Democrats 2 3 5 6.55 3.9 Scottish National 53 16 69 44.7 53.5 Party Margo Macdonald - 1 1 0.45 0.8
Others 0 0 0 3.95 -
*Average over both constituency and regional ballots. Note that the Green Party did not stand in any constituency – they only had regional candidates. Similarly, Margo Macdonald was a regional candidate only.
As you can see from the table above the percentage of votes is closely related to the percentage of seats each party received.
You can also see in the table that the SNP won a majority of seats in the Parliament. This is the first time a single party has held a majority. After the 1999 and 2003 elections the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition in the Parliament. By joining forces they had a majority of MSPs and formed the Scottish Government. After the 2007 elections however, the SNP did not form a coalition with another party and formed a minority government instead. As they had less than half the MSPs the SNP had to seek the approval of the other parties over their policies in order to get them passed. This is sometimes called “consensus politics”.
Find out more about the Scottish Government at www.scotland.gov.uk
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Activities
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Scotland uses a new system for electing our representatives. What is the name of this system?
2. Describe at least two differences between the vote for a constituency representative and the vote for a regional representative.
3. Why was Bill Kidd elected to be the constituency MSP for Glasgow Anniesland?
4. In the Regional vote, how many seats did each Party win in the Glasgow area?
5. Describe in detail the advantages of First Past the Post?
6. Describe in detail the advantages of Proportional Representation.
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Activities
Enquiry Skills
“First Past the Post has been our system for electing people for years. It
provided strong government and people knew who represented them. The
electoral system for the Scottish Parliament isn’t fair, it's confusing.”
Mark McGinnes
1. Do you agree with the views expressed by Mark McGinnes? You must provide reasons for your answer.
2. Why do you think a picture of a person winning in a race might be used to represent the idea of First Past the Post?
3. Refer back to Worksheet 2 and the Online Activity when you found out the MSPs that represent you. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having both Constituency and Regional MSPs to represent people at the Scottish Parliament?
Key Points
Elections to the Scottish Parliament use a system of voting called The Additional Member System. Voters have two votes, one for a constituency MSP and another to elect a list MSP to represent the region As a result of our voting system each person in Scotland has 8 people who represent them in the Scottish Parliament: 1 Constituency MSP and 7 Regional MSPs. Constituency and Regional MSPs have the same position and responsibilities in representing the people in their area. The Additional Member System is intended to provide a fairer share of seats in relation to votes.
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in a Democracy Section 5
Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone in the class were given the opportunity to have his or her say, and get to vote on every issue? Would this be practical?
There are just over 5 million people living in Scotland today.
What do you think it would be like if everyone in Scotland were given the opportunity to have his or her say and vote on every issue? Would this be practical?
Many important decisions would never be made.
This is why we elect representatives, a relatively small number of people who represent us and make decisions on our behalf. In the Scottish Parliament these people are called Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). They were elected to represent all the people in their constituencies or regions in the debates and decision-making of the Parliament.
It is because our MSPs were elected that they have the right to act on our behalf.
Elected – our MSPs were chosen by the voters in an election
As our representatives they act By being chosen in an on our behalf in the decisions, election they were given debates and laws that are made at the right to represent the Parliament. us
MSPs have a responsibility to work on behalf of their constituents. They do this in two main ways:
(1) The work they do in the Parliament (2) The work they do in their Constituency or Region
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(1) The work they do in the Parliament
MSPs may be members of
one or two of the Committees
of the Parliament. Committees
usually meet during the times
opposite.
There are usually around 16
Committees that are made up
of between 7 and 11 MSPs.
They discuss in detail a
particular area or subject, e.g.
Education
MSPs represent us in the Parliament's Committees by:
Scrutinising proposed new laws (known as Bills) Proposing amendments (changes) to Bills Conducting enquiries Discussing and writing Committee reports for the Parliament to consider Scrutinising Ministers and Officials Asking the Committee to propose a Bill. Asking outside groups to present evidence helping them to develop informed opinions and to represent the views of a wide range of people.
The Chamber of the Parliament is where all 129 MSPs have the opportunity to debate, discuss and vote on the issues of the day.
It is only in the Chamber of the Parliament that a Bill can be passed.
MSPs might represent us in the Chamber by:
Speaking and voting in the Chamber Putting forward a motion (idea) to be debated Suggesting an amendment (change) to be made to a bill. Questioning Ministers and the First Minister. They may try to introduce a Members Bill (according to the Parliament's rules every MSP has the right to introduce two Bills in the term of the Parliament).
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(2) The work they do in their Constituency or Region
MSPs will be writing replies to letters, emails and replying to phone calls Attending meetings and events where they can discuss issues with groups of constituents and people from other organisations. Attending special events in their constituency, for example, the opening of a new community resource centre. Holding surgeries, i.e. a particular time and place where constituents can meet their MSP and raise any problems with them. Our MSPs, MP and Local Councillor may meet to discuss areas of mutual concern and possibly to pass an enquiry to the appropriate representative. MSPs are also involved in working with their Constituency Party seeking the views and help of party members.
Devolved and Reserved Matters
Only some issues can be dealt with by the Scottish Parliament. These are known as Devolved Matters as the powers to make laws on these areas has been devolved (transferred) from Westminster and the UK Parliament.
The Devolved Matters are:
Health Education Local Government Social Work Housing Planning Tourism Economic development Some Transport Courts and legal system Police and Fire Services Environment Natural and built heritage Agriculture, forestry and fishing Sport and the Arts Public Registers and Records
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Reserved Matters are issues where the power to make laws has been kept by the UK Parliament at Westminster in London.
The Reserved Matters are:
Constitutional Matters UK Foreign Policy Defence National Security Common Markets Trade and Industry Some Transport Employment Law Social Security Gambling and National Lottery Data Protection Abortion Equal Opportunities Broadcasting/Entertainment Guns and weapons Drug Laws Energy – coal, gas, oil, electricity and Elections nuclear energy
Joseph Keir is a keen sportsman. He is concerned at the lack of facilities available for people with disabilities in his local area, and in Scotland as a whole.
He wants to let his MSPs know about his concerns and to ask them to ensure that there are improvements in sports facilities and in all forms of disabled access.
1. He writes to his constituency and all 7 regional MSPs telling them about his concerns and the changes he wants to happen.
2. He visits 2 of his MSPs at their surgeries.
3. One of his MSPs is on the Equal Opportunities Committee. He visits her at the Parliament and observes the Committee at work.
4. He organises a meeting in his local area where people can express their views and where they can meet and discuss the issues with their MSPs.
5. He organises a petition, obtaining over two thousand signatures asking the MSPs to propose a new bill that will improve the lives of people with disabilities in Scotland.
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The MSP on the Equal Opportunities Committee raises the question of disabled access at the Committee meeting. The Committee decides to investigate the issue. Joseph is invited to give evidence to the Committee How the MSPs represent Joseph A question is put to the Minister for Sport at Question Time on Thursday afternoon. The Minister replies that the Government is also concerned about this issue and is conducting an inquiry of its own.
Another of Joseph's MSPs writes to the Minister for Social Inclusion. The reply will be made available to Joseph to read, and everyone else on the Parliament's website. (Go to www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/index.htm for examples of written questions and answers)
One of the MSPs promises to propose a Member’s Bill in Parliament to improve disabled access throughout Scotland. He organises a meeting in the Parliament to get as much support as he can for the Bill.
An MSP holds a meeting with Joseph’s Local Councillor as the Local Authority has responsibility for the Sports Centre and therefore his representative on the Council may also be able to help.
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Activities
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Why do MSPs have the right to act on our behalf?
2. MSPs work on behalf of their constituents in two main ways. One is the work they do in their constituency or region. What is the other?
3. Copy and complete a weekly timetable for the Work of an MSP using the details on pages 2 and 3
DAY WORK
AM Monday
PM AM Tuesday
PM AM Wednesday
PM AM Thursday
PM AM Friday
PM
4. Describe three ways MSPs work on behalf of their constituents in the Committees of the Parliament.
5. The Scottish Parliament tries to be family friendly. Do you think this happens in practice?
6. Is there a link between the Parliament trying to be family friendly and a high percentage of female MSPs?
Watch Holyrood TV to see MSPs in action! And go to the Education page on the Scottish Parliament website and follow the Explore the Parliament link and Explore the Debating Chamber.
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Activities
Enquiry Skills
1. Every MSP has the opportunity to introduce two bills to Parliament. Do you think this is an effective way for them to represent their constituents? You must give reasons for your answer.
2. From the list below write down one issue that concerns you, and what you would like to see changed: EDUCATION, HEALTH, HOUSING, SPORT, or ENVIRONMENT. How would you let your MSPs know about your concerns and your ideas for improvement?
3. Imagine you are the Constituency MSP for your area. You have received a letter from a young person who attends one of the schools in the constituency. The pupil is concerned that there are no after school clubs because of a shortage of teachers.
(a) As part of the collecting evidence stage for your investigation you send a letter to the pupil. Explain why you have chosen that method. (b) Give two relevant questions that you could include in your letter that would help you in your investigation into the issue of teacher shortages.
Key Points
MSPs are elected to represent the people in their constituency or region in the decision making of the Parliament MSPs work on behalf of the people in two main ways: (1) The work they do in the Parliament, for example, speaking in debates, working in Committees, questioning the Government, proposing legislation, etc. (2) The work they do in the Constituency or Region, for example, responding to letters, working in their surgeries, attending meetings, etc. Devolved Matters are areas in which the Scottish Parliament has been given the power to pass laws. Reserved Matters are areas in which the UK Parliament still has the power to make laws. As well as our representatives in the Scottish Parliament we are also represented in the UK Parliament by our MP and at local council level by our Local Councillor. We also have a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in a Democracy Section 6
Democracy - this means “rule by the people”. The people should have a say in what happens and what is decided.
How do people participate? How do they have their say and influence what is decided? There are many ways; some of them include voting, campaigning, joining political parties and becoming involved in pressure groups.
One of the most important ways people can participate is by voting. They do this usually at election time when the whole country is given the opportunity to choose who they want to represent them and become their MSPs. Elections to the Scottish Parliament have taken place every four years. Sometimes it is necessary to hold a by-election – this is an election in a constituency where a seat becomes vacant. For example, in the March 2006 of the Scottish Parliament the seat for the constituency of Moray became vacant when the MSP Margaret Ewing died. A by-election was held in which the voters of Moray chose Richard Lochhead of the SNP.
Result of Moray By-election April 2006
14000 12000 10000 8000 6000
4000 Number of Votes Numberof 2000 0 Conservative Labour Lib Dem SNP NHS First Party
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Campaigning can involve many different methods to persuade MSPs to support a cause. People can become involved in demonstrations, sending letters, emails, petitions, organising visits to MSPs surgeries, or organising media campaigns. Everybody in Scotland has the right to campaign, to seek to influence others and decision-makers.
During the three sessions of Parliament (1999 - 2011), 1389 petitions were submitted to the Parliament‟s Public Petitions Committee.
Petitions are often used in campaigns to show the level of support for a particular point of view. They usually contain a statement about the aim of the campaign and the campaigners seek to get as much support as possible by asking people to sign their petition.
Each petition the Parliament receives must be looked at and the petitioner must be informed about what happens to their petition i.e. if it is within the powers of the Parliament to make a decision on, if a law already exists, or if a new law should be introduced.
Who petitions the Parliament?
Anyone can petition the Parliament. A petition can be submitted by one person, a group of people or an organised pressure group. A petition can be submitted on paper, or through the e-petitioning system.
In the first 7 years of the Parliament (1999 – 2006) 53% of the petitions were organised by individuals, pressure groups sent 15% and community groups sent 18% (figures taken from The Assessment of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions System 1999 – 2006 by Dr. Christopher J. Carman, University of Glasgow)
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To see how you can petition the Scottish Parliament, and to see the issues people send petitions about, go to www.scottish.parliament.uk and click on the Committees link then on Public Petitions.
Political parties are organisations that are concerned with a wide variety of issues. They want to be successful at the election and form the government. This allows them to put forward many of the laws they think will be good for the country. Becoming involved in a political party is a way some people seek to influence politics and decision making. As members of a political party people can shape that party‟s ideas and policies through, for example, taking part in a debate at a party conference, interviewing and choosing the prospective parliamentary candidate for their area or becoming a candidate themselves. The party members will also work closely with and support their party MSPs.
Pressure Groups are organisations that want to change policy but do not want to become the government. They focus on particular issues or areas of concern and can become involved in policy making by organising campaigns, sending letters, organising demonstrations and signing petitions. People join pressure groups to show their support for a particular issue and to join with other like-minded people in trying to influence our politicians. Some people feel working in a group like this means they have a louder voice in getting their message across.
I want to make a difference but don’t feel acting on my own will be enough.
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Activities
Knowledge and Understanding
1. There are many ways that people can participate and contribute to the decisions and work of the Parliament. Copy and complete the following table
VOTING One of the key ways that people participate in the political process is by voting in elections
These are organisations that do not want to become the government. They seek to influence MSPs and the Parliament on particular issues.
CAMPAIGNING
PETITIONS
These are organisations that want to be elected and form the government.
1. From the table you have just completed, what campaigning methods have you seen people take part in, either on television, radio, newspapers or in your area?
2. The Scottish Parliament has the power to make decisions and new laws in the following areas: Education, Health, Housing, The Environment, Roads and Transport.
(a) Are there any particular issues you are interested in? (b) Choose one of the areas above and name a pressure group whose work is concerned with that area. (c) Have you seen the pressure group in action? What where they doing and who where they trying to influence?
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Activities
Enquiry Skills
1.
Source A WHO PETITIONS THE PARLIAMENT?
In the first 7 years (1999 to 2006) 1031 petitions were submitted to the Scottish Parliament - 53% came from petitions organised by individuals, pressure groups sent 15% and community groups sent 18%.
Source B VOTER TURNOUT
In the first election for the Scottish Parliament around 4 Million people had the right to vote. Of all the people who had the right to vote, known as the electorate, 58% used this right and participated in the elections to the new Scottish Parliament. In the election in 2011, 51% of the electorate voted.
Using Source A and B what evidence is there that people are taking part in Scottish democracy?
2. The Scottish Parliament makes decisions that affect your life. What method or methods do you think would be best in influencing your MSPs? You must give reasons for your answer.
3. “Our politicians don‟t take any notice of young people. It wasn‟t until I joined a pressure group that I really felt I was making the politicians listen.”
Robert Wilcox
Explain why some people would choose to join a pressure group?
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Key Points
Democracy means „rule by the people‟. People should have a say in what happens and what is decided There are many different ways in which people can participate in politics and decision making Voting – people use their vote to choose what candidate or party they want to make gggggdecisions in the Parliament. Elections to the Scottish Parliament take place every four years to allow the people a regular choice of who they want to represent them Campaigning – this involves many different types of activities: demonstrating, sending letters and emails, media campaigns, visiting MSPs, sending petitions. Sending Petitions – people send petitions to show how strongly they feel about an issue and to try to influence decision makers. Taking part in a political party – Political Parties seek to become the government. Some people join political parties to influence the types of policies the Party will have and to support the Party in becoming the government. Becoming involved in a Pressure Group. Pressure groups want to change policy but do not want to become the government. Pressure groups focus on a particular area or areas of concern and seek to influence decision makers.
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in a Democracy Section 7
In a democracy we have opportunities to participate in the political process and to influence the decisions that are made in our Parliament. The success of a democracy depends on the participation of its citizens.
We all have RIGHTS, things we are entitled to do, and RESPONSIBILITIES, things we are expected to do.
Rights Responsibilities
Things You are Entitled to do Things You are Expected to do
1. Right to Vote (for those 1. We should use our vote over 18) 2. Right to Freedom of 2. Responsibility to respect the speech and expression right of others to express to say and do what you themselves and their points want (within the law) of view 3. Right to join a group and 3. Responsibility to obey the meet with others, for law example a trade union or pressure group 4. Right to stand as a 4. Responsibility to allow others candidate in an election to exercise their rights (for those over 18) 5. Right to a secret ballot 5. Responsibility to campaign within the law 6. Right to criticise the Government 7. Right to campaign, for example, send a petition, demonstrate etc
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Our MSPs also have rights and responsibilities with specific regard to their work as an MSP.
The Standards Committee is a group of 7 MSPs at the Parliament who have a particular job to make sure all of our MSPs are exercising their responsibilities.
Our MSPs have the right to participate in the debates and Committees of the Parliament.
Our MSPs have the right to be treated fairly in the debates of the Parliament.
Our MSPs have the right to vote in the Parliament, thus deciding on our behalf what will make good laws for our country
MSPs have a duty to act in the interests of the Scottish people.
They must obey the law.
They must be accessible to the people they represent.
They must respect the privacy of individuals .
They must act honestly and with integrity .
They must be open and accountable with regard to their decisions and actions.
They must not put themselves under any financial or other obligation that may influence their duties.
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Activities
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Describe in detail three rights and three responsibilities we have in our democracy.
2. Describe how people exercise their rights and responsibilities.
3. What is the name of the Parliamentary Committee whose job is to ensure that our MSPs are exercising their responsibilities? To find out more about this Committee look on the website at www.scottish.parliament.uk and follow the Committee link.
Activities
Enquiry Skills
Source A Taken from The Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament
2.4 The word “integrity” is inscribed on the mace which is a symbol of the authority of the Parliament; it is one of a number of principles which must be observed in all that members do.
1. Find a definition of the word integrity. What evidence is there in Source A that integrity is an important responsibility of Members of the Scottish Parliament?
2. Our MSPs have rights and responsibilities. In your opinion what is the most important responsibility our MSPs have? You must give reasons for your answer.
3. In your opinion what is the most important right we have in our democracy? You must give reasons for your answer.
4. Prepare two questions you would ask an MSP about their responsibilities.
Key Points
In a democracy we have rights; things we are entitled to do. We also have responsibilities; things we are expected to do Our MSPs, in relation to the specific job they do, also have rights and responsibilities. The Standards Committee of the Parliament ensures that our MSPs act according to their responsibilities.
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Standard Grade Modern Studies Living in a Democracy Section 8
The representatives who sit in the Scottish Parliament are known as Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). There are 129 MSPs. Every person in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs. 1 MSP who represents their Constituency and 7 MSPs who represent their Region of Scotland. For electoral purposes Scotland is divided into 73 Constituencies and 8 Regions. The 73 Constituency MSPs are elected using First Past the Post. The 56 Regional MSPs are elected using The Additional Member System.
In May 2011, the following Political Parties were represented in the Parliament: Political Party Constituency Regional MSPs Total MSPs MSPs Scottish National Party 53 16 69*
Scottish Labour Party 15 22 37
Scottish Conservative 3 12 15 and Unionist Party Scottish Liberal 2 3 5 Democratic Party Scottish Green Party 0 2 2
Independents 0 1 1
73 56 129*
* This figure includes Tricia Marwick MSP who is Presiding Officer and has no party affiliation while she holds this position.
There was a 51% voter turnout on 5th May 2011, the fourth election to the Scottish Parliament
Two MSPs from ethnic minority backgrounds were elected
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There are 45 (34.9 %) female MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.
Political Party Number of Female MSPs Scottish National Party 18 Scottish Labour Party 17 Scottish Conservative and Unionist 6 Party Scottish Liberal Democratic Party 1 Scottish Green Party 1 Independents 1 Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) 1
The Additional Member System was used to create a fairer share of the seats in the Parliament in relation to the percentage of votes a party received.
Political Party % of % of Seats Votes Won Scottish National Party 44.7 53.5
Scottish Labour Party 29 28.7
Scottish Conservative and 13.15 11.6 Unionist Party Scottish Liberal Democratic 6.55 3.9 Party Green Party 1.6 1.6
Other 3.95 -
Margo Macdonald 0.9 0.8
*The % of votes figure was reached by adding together the percentage share of constituency votes and percentage share of regional votes and dividing by two to get an average.
All day on a Tuesday and a Wednesday morning MSPs may be working in the Committees of the Parliament
On Wednesday afternoon and all day on a Thursday MSPs may be working in the Chamber of the Parliament
Mondays and Fridays are usually reserved for working in their Constituency or Region
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