Lesson Starter And finally to one word…. Now reduce that to 5 key words… Write 5 sentences summarising the role of MSPs And finally to one word….

Today we will… Describe the various types of bills that can be introduced to the Scottish Parliament Outline the history of the Scottish Parliament Outline the role of the First Minister

Success Criteria Understand the various types of bills that can be introduced to the Scottish Parliament I can list and explain the various roles of the First Minister.

Different Types of Bill When the Scottish Parliament was set up one of the key principles found in the report Shaping Scotland's Parliament was the sharing of power. This was to avoid a situation where the executive could dominate the legislative process completely and to allow smaller parties or individuals a realistic chance of influencing new laws. It was decided that individual MSPs should have the right to introduce legislation as well as the executive and committees.

Different Types of Bill Bills are either: Public - seeking to change the general law, or Private - seeking powers for a particular individual or organisation that are in excess of or in conflict with the general law Public Bills can be introduced by: a member of the Scottish Government - “Government Bill” an individual member of Parliament - "Member’s Bill” a parliamentary committee - “Committee Bill”

Different Types of Bills Committee Bills Government Bills Different Types of Bills Members Bills Private Bills

Government Bills These are Bills introduced by the Scottish Government and account for the majority of legislation created in Scotland. Examples include: Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 2001 – Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition gov Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 – SNP majority gov Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 – SNP minority gov

Committee Bills This is legislation initiated by a committee. Examples of committee bills include: Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001 Children's Commissioner for Scotland Act 2003 Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc Act 2010 Committee Bills are rare in the Scottish Parliament – most committees focus on the investigation and scrutiny of the government and the amendments process instead.

Members’ Bills Each MSP has the right to introduce two Bills during each Parliamentary session. Individual MSPs must get cross party support before they can introduce their bill. Examples of successful Members’ Bills include:   Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced by Dennis Robertson MSP Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Act 2017 was introduced by Gillian Martin MSP.

Private Bills Private Bills do not directly impact upon the general law – they typically will affect a specific institution or business. For example: Burrell Collection (Lending and Borrowing) (Scotland) Act 2014

The majority of bills introduced and passed are Government Bills. Most parties use a ‘whip system’ to ensure party unity in voting, apart from on matters of conscience or moral issues.

Coalition Government 1999-2003 Following the first Scottish Parliament elections there was no clear winner. Scottish Labour had the most seats (56). They formed a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats (17). This coalition earned the nickname “Lib-Lab” Cabinet team composed of both Labour and Lib Dem MSPS. Donald Dewar (Lab) – the first First Minister - died of a brain haemorrhage on 11th October 2000. Henry McLeish (Lab) took over as FM later in October 2000. He resigned from post in November 2001 following a financial scandal. Jack McConnell (Lab) then took over as First Minister and sought to stabilise the government. Key Acts: Free university/college tuition, free personal care for the elderly, the McCrone teaching agreement (pay and conditions for teachers)

Coalition Government 2003-2007 Again, there was no clear winner from the election. Scottish Labour remained the largest party (50). They, again, formed a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats (17). Cabinet team composed of both Labour and Lib Dem MSPS. Jack McConnell (Lab) remained FM. Both Deputy First Ministers were Liberal Democrats (Jim Wallace MSP and then Nicol Stpehen MSP) The current Scottish Parliament building was completed and officially opened in 2004. Key Acts: the introduction of STV for local council elections, the Smoking Ban, Breastfeeding Act – making it illegal for any woman to be stopped from breastfeeding in a public place.

Minority Government 2007-2011 SNP held 47 seats and faced a combined opposition of 82. Alex Salmond formed a minority government. This was the first minority administration in the history of the SP 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 Following the 2011 Scottish election the SNP had 69 seats in Parliament. Cabinet team composed solely of SNP MSPs. Able to push through Salmond’s agenda as his party has the majority of seats. Salmond believed he had a ‘moral authority’ to deliver a referendum as the SNP were able to form a majority government. Salmond resigned in the middle of the Parliamentary session (2014) following the NO vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum. Nicola Sturgeon was voted in as FM following Salmond’s resignation.

Minority Government 2016 - The SNP formed a minority government with 63 seats at the election. The Scottish Conservatives became the 2nd largest party in the Parliament for the first time with 31 seats under Ruth Davidson. The SNP have again sought to pass legislation on a “policy by policy” basis with support often coming from the Scottish Greens. Perhaps the greatest issue currently facing the Parliament is the fallout from Brexit. Other major issues include: pay for public sector workers, climate change and the recurring theme of Scottish Independence

The Role of the First Minister

The First Minister is head of the devolved Scottish Government (also referred to as the Scottish Executive) The FM chooses the Cabinet – the Cabinet constitute the rest of the Executive branch. They are responsible for the presentation and implementation of government policy. The FM is also responsible for representing the Scottish Government and Scottish people in relations with the UK Government and abroad. The FM is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament for his/her actions.

As of April 2018, the First Minister is entitled to draw a total salary of £152,179, which is composed of a basic MSP salary of £62,149 plus an additional salary of £90,030 for the role as First Minister. The First Minister is the highest paid member of the Scottish Government. This can be compared to the UK Prime Minister who is entitled to draw a total salary of £155,275 composed of a basic MP salary of £77,379 and the Prime Minister’s salary of £77,896.

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