Today we will… Identify the four Founding Principles of the Scottish Parliament.

Success Criteria I can participate in a jigsaw reading to summarise the Founding Principles of the Scottish Parliament. I can exemplify how the Founding Principles are met by explaining the procedures of the Scottish Parliament.

Founding Principles of the Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament has four founding principles that aim to create an effective and accountable parliament, answering the needs of the people of Scotland. Sharing Power Accountability Participation and Access Equal Opportunities

Founding Principles Expert Jigsaw Academic Task: Understand the 4 founding principles of the Scottish Parliament. Social Task: Check to make sure everyone in your group understands. Each group will be given a Founding Principle. Take notes on the main points: The Principle What it means The procedures the parliament has put in place to ensure it lives up to these four Founding Principles You will then change groups and you must explain the principle to the rest of your group.

1. Sharing Power Power should be shared among the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland. The Scottish Parliament ensures power is shared by the following methods: MSPs, committees and opposition parties are all allocated time in the debating chamber. Scottish Parliament Committees and individual MSPs can propose laws as well as private companies and individuals. Committees take evidence from people affected by the proposed laws.

2. Accountability The Scottish Parliament is answerable to the people of Scotland. MSPs are accountable – MSPs must follow a set of rules called a code of conduct and the Standards Committee can consider complaints against MSPs. The Scottish Government is accountable – it must answer questions from MSPs and the Parliament uses committee meetings to scrutinise Scottish Government policies and question Ministers. E.g. August 2009 – SNP Kenny MacAskill being questioned in the SP about the release of Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al Megrahi

3. Participation and Access The Scottish Parliament should be accessible and involve the people of Scotland as much as possible. The Scottish Parliament makes sure it is open by having… Parliament meetings open to the public. A public information service to answer questions about the Parliament, in the Visitor Centre, via email, telephone or letter. Print out the Founding Principle Slides.

3. Participation and Access (2) Committees travel to different towns all over Scotland to allow everyone to see Parliament in action. It encourages participation by… Consultations that give people the chance to put their views across. This can be by email, letter or at meetings. The Public Petitions Committee will consider any petition submitted by anyone living in Scotland, providing the petition refers to a devolved matter.

4. Equal Opportunities The Scottish Parliament should treat all people fairly. An Equal Opportunities Committee ensures that the interests of all the people of Scotland are represented fairly, regardless of sex, age, ethnic background, religious beliefs or lifestyle. The working hours of the Scottish Parliament are designed to let parents spend time with their families.

Access and Participation Task- The Procedures Accountability Sharing Power Access and Participation Equal Participation

Task- The Procedures Classify the following into the correct category: First Minister’s Questions More female and ethnic minority MSPs Minority government Public petitions committee Minister’s Questions MSPs can introduce bills and so can the public Family friendly opening hours Committees containing MSPs from all parties Coalition government Representation of smaller parties Public can watch debates Committees scrutinise legislation Committee meetings held all over Scotland

Task- The Procedures Use the Modernity hand out to add examples to your table of how the Founding Principles are met by the Scottish Parliament.

What is the most important Founding Principle? WHY? The Scottish Parliament What is the most important Founding Principle? WHY?

Was I successful? I can participate in a jigsaw reading to summarise the Founding Principles of the Scottish Parliament. I can exemplify how the Founding Principles are met by explaining the procedures of the Scottish Parliament.