Lesson Starter And finally to one word…. Now reduce that to 5 key words… Write 5 sentences summarising Committees… And finally to one word….

Today we will… Outline the role of the First Minister

Success Criteria I can list and explain the various roles of the First Minister.

The Role of the First Minister

First Ministers of Scotland There have been 5 First Ministers of Scotland since the Parliament opened in 1999. Donald Dewar died in 2000. Henry McLeish had to resign in 2001 after a financial scandal. Jack McConnell became First Minister in November 2001 and quit in 2007 when the SNP defeated Labour. He was replaced by Alex Salmond. He resigned in September 2014 Nicola Sturgeon officially took Office in November 2014

Choosing the First Minister Salmond was elected by ALL MSPs, as all First Ministers are. (2007-14). In May 2011 he was the only candidate for the post. First nationalist to be elected First Minister of Scotland. This stands in contrast with Westminster where only the dominant party selects the leader. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29618913

Overview of the Role of the First Minister Implements Policy Accountable Chooses Cabinet The First Minister Vision for Scotland Leads cabinet Promotes Scotland abroad

The First Minister is head of the devolved Scottish Government. Leads/chooses the Cabinet. Responsible for the presentation and implementation of government policy. Also directly accountable to the SP for his/her actions.

Vision The First Minister is expected to have a vision for the country. His/ Her campaigns cut across and permeate the work of all Government departments. See Salmond’s policies Independence

Minority Government 2007-2011 SNP held 47 seats and faced a combined opposition of 82. Salmond formed a minority Government. This was the first minority administration and began a new form of consensus and inclusive politics. Salmond’s government had to seek parliament’s approval ‘policy by policy’. This made it difficult for SNP to achieve its goals.

2011 Majority Rule Cabinet team composed solely of SNP MSPs. Able to push through his agenda as his party has the majority of seats. Following the 2011 Scottish election he had 69 seats. Believed he had a ‘moral authority’ to deliver a referendum as the SNP were able to form a majority government.

Independence Being the first Nationalist FM, Alex Salmond of course had a very clear vision for Scotland. He believed that the Union is holding Scotland back. Scotland is part of six unions. Wants to break from the political and economic union that ties Scotland to Westminster. He did not want decisions on the economy, welfare, foreign affairs or military interventions made by a government he believed the Scottish people did not choose and do not support.

What are Alex Salmond's six unions? Political and economic union (this is the one that Alex Salmond wants ended) The European Union The defence union The currency union The union of the crowns The social union

The Scottish Cabinet Coalition Cabinet Sturgeon's 2nd Cabinet One of the most obvious roles of the FM is to choose his/her Cabinet team. The FM must ensure that competent MSPs hold roles in government as he/she will be held directly responsible for ministers’ decisions. In May 2016, Nicola Sturgeon oversaw a “Cabinet reshuffle”, moving ministers to different positions. When overseeing a coalition government however, the FM must usually appoint ministers from outwith their own party to some extent. Jack McConnell (Labour) appointed 3 Lib Dems to his Cabinet such as Nicol Steven MSP. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/18/nicola-sturgeons-reshuffle-sees-very-few-new-faces-join-cabinet Coalition Cabinet Sturgeon's 2nd Cabinet

Accountability The FM is accountable for the actions of himself/herself and the Scottish Government. This is primarily seen at First Ministers Question Time. First Minister questions takes place every Thursday (45 minutes) FMQT is the opposition parties’ opportunity to scrutinise the work of the government (as well as to score points and embarrass the Scottish Government.) FMQs June 2017 FMQs March 2017

Style of Leadership In June 2012 Alex Salmond FM was put under pressure by revelations from the UK Parliament’s Leveson Inquiry into the conduct of the press. Mr Salmond has been in touch with Rupert Murdoch, owner of BSkyB, one of the most powerful and influetnial media companies in the world. It was alleged by his opponents that he traded support for News Corporations’ BskyB bid in the return for the Scottish Sun supporting the SNP. He said that this was not the case and was thinking of investment in Scotland and Scottish jobs. Sturgeon talks about Vogue

The Secretary of State for Scotland Some of the work of the First Minister can overlap with the duties of the UK Secretary of State for Scotland. This person is an MP, not an MSP, and a member of the UK government, not the Scottish government. Prior to devolution, the Secretary of State for Scotland was the country's voice at home and abroad. Today he/she continues to represent Scotland at a UK level in the UK Cabinet as well as dealing with issues that are reserved to Westminster, such as defence and foreign affairs. David Mundell MP

A Controversial Post? Since the creation of the Scottish Parliament, there has been confusion and debate as to the value of the post of Sec. of State for Scotland. The First Minister, especially an outgoing FM such as Alex Salmond, often represents Scotland abroad, a role that the Secretary of State often does too.

It is now a very political post; some might say contentious as now there are different parties in power. Alistair Carmichael (Sec. of State for Scotland during the Con-Lib Dem coalition) held a central role in negotiating the terms of the referendum. When Jack McConnell was the FM, the post of Secretary of State was less contentious. Previously, many of the potential conflicts between the Scottish Parliament and Westminster were avoided because the same party was in power in both parliaments. Communications were less formal. Under the current SNP and Conservative Governments the role of Sec. of State for Scotland has been particularly contentious and often highlights discord between the Scottish and UK levels.

Evaluate the importance of the executive in decision making in government. 12   K: F.M is political Leader of the Scottish Government. Responsibility for devolved powers such as Education, Health. Particularly with a majority government the FM can see out their vision. For e.g. the Referendum E: Most bills passed are gov. bills therefore this underlines the importance of the FM/Cabinet. A vast number of laws have been passed which have made changes to Scotland- GIVE EXAMPLES. Also Sturgeon said that she would be willing to listen to others in the course of her minority administration- CONSENSUS politics – example support for John Finnie’s bill. K: Power with decision making could be reduced if no single party has a majority, Coalition, FM less likely to get their own way. Give examples. E: Reduced influence of FM as other parties will have more of a say in the decision making process. Give examples.

To what extent can representatives influence decision making? Exam Task To what extent can representatives influence decision making? 20 marks

Was I successful? I can list and explain the various roles of the First Minister.

Creating a Constitution for an Independent Scotland Salmond believed creating a written constitution for an independent Scotland would help the country move away from a "profoundly undemocratic" system at Westminster. Scotland voted against independence in September 2014 leading Alex Salmond to resign from his post as First Minister. He was replaced by Nicola Sturgeon.