The Work of an MSP

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.

Click on the arrows to see what MSPs do on our behalf

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

(1) The work they do in the Parliament

All Day Tuesday & Wednesday Morning

MSPs may be members of one or two of the Committees of the Parliament. Committees usually meet during the times opposite.

There are 16 Committees that are made up of between 7 and 11 MSPs.

They discuss in detail a particular area or subject, e.g. Education

• Scrutinising proposed new laws (known as Bills)
• Proposing amendments (changes) to Bills
• Conducting inquiries
• 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.

Wednesday Afternoon & All Day Thursday

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 four-year term of the Parliament).

(2) The work they do in their Constituency or Region

Monday All Day All Day Friday

• 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:

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:

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.

How the MSPs represent Joseph

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

A question is put to the Deputy 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 enquiry 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.

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 a MSP using the details found under the work they do in the Parliament and the work they do in the constituency or region sections.

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 http://www.holyrood.tv/ to see MSPs in action! And go to the Education page at www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/education/index.htm follow the Explore the Parliament and Explore the Debating Chamber.

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.