The Role of MSPs Who is your MSP? In basic terms, the main responsibility of MSPs is to represent the people that elected them Because Scotland is a representative democracy, citizens entrust MSPs with making decisions for them MSPs should try to respect the wishes of the majority of their constituents or they may not win re-election MSPs can represent us in the Parliament and the Constituency. Paul Martin MSP, Glasgow Provan Who is your MSP?

In Constituency Surgeries - A Surgery is when people go along to talk to an MSP about problems they might have in the constituency. You could think of it as being like a doctors surgery, where you go along to tell the doctor your problem. In an MSP’s Surgery, people go along to tell the MSP about the problems in their constituency. Paul Martin MSP holds several surgeries every month in the Glasgow Provan constituency, one of which is at The Bridge Community Centre in Easterhouse. Answering phone-calls, letters and emails - Constituents can contact MSPs in many ways. One duty of an MSP is for them to respond to requests from constituents. For example, constituents may contact MSPs about various issues…e.g. knife crime, litter, pot holes etc.

In Constituency Attend local meetings - Your MSP may be asked by many different groups to attend a meeting. This could be to see how the MSP can help or just to let them know about the work that is going on in the community. For example, groups such as pressure groups and local community groups might invite an MSP along. An MSP may also meet with the local council to resolve an issue. For example, MSPs may attend meetings relating to a school closure in their constituency. Fact-finding Missions - When a constituent raises an issue, an MSP may have to visit somewhere to see first hand what the problem is. After, the MSP might arrange more meetings to resolve the problem or raise it as an issue in Parliament. For example, if there is a problem with graffiti in an area an MSP may visit the area to see the problem for themselves Mass media - An MSP may also work with the media to highlight an issue. This may be in the form of radio, TV or newspaper interviews. For example, the Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf recently used the media to publicise a campaign raising awareness of homelessness, during which he sold the Big Issue in Glasgow City Centre.

First Minister’s Question Time Leaders of the other parties, and some ‘ordinary’ MSPs have the opportunity to question the First Minister at First Ministers Question Time. This happens once per week on Thursdays normally starting at 12 noon and lasts roughly 45 minutes. Opposing parties can use this as an opportunity to expose the shortcomings of the governing party. Scrutinise the work of the government.

Debates MSPs represent our views by taking part in debates in parliament. This can be debates about new legislation or about changes that MSPs want make to legislation. Debates take place in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish parliament, on Wednesday afternoons and Thursdays. For example, in 2014 MSPs held a debate on the independence referendum where MSPs had the chance to represent the views of their constituents.

Example MSPs debated the Alcohol (minimum pricing) Bill in March 2012. Plans for a minimum unit price for alcohol have been approved in principle by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish government's alcohol bill passed its first major parliamentary hurdle without opposition. After a debate at Holyrood, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats supported the legislation, while Labour abstained. A first attempt by the SNP to introduce such a bill was defeated in the last parliament

Voting MSPs take part in ‘decision time’. This is when they must vote ‘for’ or ‘against’ new laws that have been proposed or amendments. Each MSP has an electronic keypad on their table in the debating chamber and they simply press a button to vote. The results are often gathered within minutes. Example: voting on issues such as free prescriptions, minimum pricing on alcohol, offensive behaviour at football. MSPs vote with the interests of their constituents in mind

Members’ Bills The first Members' bill passed was the Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Act 2001 introduced by Tommy Sheridan MSP Each MSP has the right to introduce two Bills during one Parliamentary session. Individual MSPs must get cross party support before they can introduce their bill.   Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced by Christine Grahame MSP Disabled Persons Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009 introduced by Jackie Baillie MSP

Committees Committees are sometimes referred to as the ‘engine room’ or the ‘powerhouse’ of Parliament. In other words, some people say this is where much of parliaments work is completed. Committees meet every Tuesday and Wednesday morning and normally have between 7 – 15 MSPs. Committees take time to scrutinise legislation being discussed in parliament. Committees can hear evidence from experts and ask Government ministers questions. Committees will have a particular subject that they focus on i.e. Health, Justice

Example of Committee Work Some examples of the current committees in the Scottish Parliament: Public Petitions Committee- The remit of the Public Petitions Committee is to consider and report on - whether a public petition is acceptable; and what action is to be taken upon the petition. Justice Committee- The role of the Justice Committee is to scrutinise the policies and performance of the Scottish Government and its agencies in matters related to justice. They can carry out fact finding missions around Scotland to find out about the justice system in practice.

The Work of an MSP in Parliament Task: create a table showing the work of an MSP. Work of MSP What is it? Example Debates Voting Member’s Bill Committees FMQT/Question Time/Written Questions