The Scottish Parliament is the law making body in Scotland for devolved matters. This section will give you some background information about the Parliament. If you'd like any more info please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Electing MSPs

There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) in total and each person in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs: one for the constituency in which they live and seven for a larger region. At Scottish Parliament elections, which occur every four years, each voter has two votes - one for the constituency and one for the larger region.

Above: Scottish Parliament building, Edinburgh

I am the MSP for the Dumfries constituency; there are 73 constituencies in Scotland and these MSPs are elected by the traditional first-past-the-post system (i.e. the candidate with the most votes wins). The country is also divided up into 8 larger regions, of which Dumfries is in the South of Scotland region, and seven MSPs are elected for this region by a second vote for a political party. The political party wins a number of seats in the region and these are then allocated to it's members in accordance with a party list.

Above: South of Scotland region (left) and Dumfries Constituency (right).

Across all the regions in Scotland there are 56 "list" MSPs, bringing the total number of MSPs in Parliament to 129. The voting system is known as the 'Additional Member System' (AMS) and is designed to make it easier for smaller parties and independents to become MSPs.

Devolution

This year Scotland is celebrating the first decade of the new Scottish Parliament. In a referendum in 1997 the Scottish people voted for devolution which has resulted in a Parliament returning to Edinburgh for the first time since 1707.

The areas in which the Scottish Parliament legislates are termed 'devolved' and include education, health, housing, law and order, sport, arts and my own remit of environment. Some 'reserved' matters such as defence, employment, immigration and pensions are still dealt with by the UK Government in London.

Therefore Scottish people are represented by both an MSP in Edinburgh and an MP in Westminster. My Dumfries constituents would contact me with issues relating to devolved matters and Russell Brown MP for reserved matters.

Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government

The Scottish Government (formerly the Scottish Executive) is a separate body to Parliament and is responsible for formulating and implementing policy on devolved matters. The Scottish Government is usually formed form the party (or parties) that hold the most seats in the Parliament. The Scottish National Party have formed the Government since the 2007 elections, before which it was a coalition between the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats.

The Scottish Government is lead by the First Minister, a position elected by MSPs. It is currently Alex Salmond and under the previous Government it was Jack McConnell. The Scottish Government is made up of Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, chosen by the first Minister, which are responsible for particular areas of policy such as health or education. Since the SNP form the current Government these positions are held by SNP MSPs.

The Labour Party, as well as the other political parties not in Government in the Parliament, appoint spokespersons to focus on particular issues. As the Environment spokesman I usually speak for the Labour Party on the topics such as farming and forestry.

What does Parliament do?

The Scottish Parliament has the power to pass laws for Scotland on devolved matters. It is made up of the 129 MSPs and is tasked with scrutinising the work and policies of the Scottish Government.

Much of the work of Parliament is done through it's approximately 15 committees. These consist of MSPs not in Government and they debate and discuss the detail of Government proposals as well as taking evidence from a range of organisations and individuals. For example the Finance Committee scrutinises the budget and the Rural Affairs and Environment committee, of which I am a member, discusses proposals on topics such as farming and fishing. MSPs usually spend all of Tuesday and Wednesday morning in committees.

Above: Scottish Parliament public entrance

On Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday business takes place in the Chamber. This is an opportunity for all MSPs to debate key issues and Government proposals. "Decision Time" occurs at the end of the day and is where MSPs votes on proposals and laws can be enacted or changed.

Making Laws

The Scottish Parliament considers proposals for new laws usually originating from Government ("executive bills") but also other MSPs ("members bills"). There are three stages between introduction of a bill and it becoming law. The bill is formally introduced to Parliament in Stage 1 and the Parliament votes on the general principle of the proposals. Detailed scrutiny and changes (amendments) take place during Stage 2, usually in the relevant committees. Stage 3 is the final stage of a bill where further amendments are considered and a final vote on the bill takes place in the whole Parliament.

Above: Aquaculture and Fisheries bill passed in 2007

Visiting the Parliament

If you would like to visit the Scottish Parliament and see it in action please contact me at elaine.murray.msp@scottish.parliament.uk.

More information can be found by either contacting me or through the Parliament's website.