Who Represents Us? Scottish and UK Parliaments

UK Parliament The main work of Parliament is to make laws, debate topical issues and look at how our taxes are spent to help run the country. The issues that are discussed in Parliament affect us all: health, the environment, transport, jobs, schools, crime. For instance, Parliament has recently debated and voted on how long people arrested on suspicion of terrorism can be held without being charged.

We live in a democratic country, which means we all have a say in how the country is run. We do this by electing Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent our views in the House of Commons. This part of Parliament has the greatest political power. The second part of Parliament is the House of Lords, whose unelected members complement the work of the House of Commons. The third and final part of Parliament is the Monarch, our Queen, who signs the laws that Parliament votes for.

Devolution To give the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland more say over what happens in their countries, the UK Parliament has devolved (given away) some of its powers to other national and regional bodies. In Scotland, for example, there is the Scottish Parliament which has elected members who make some decisions for Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own assemblies and there is also a London Assembly.

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 5million people living in Scotland today. Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone in Scotland got the chance to vote and have their say on every single issue?

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 MSPs. They were elected to represent all the people in their constituencies or regions in the debates and decision-making of Parliament.

By being chosen in an election MSPs were given the right to represent us but they have the responsibility to work on behalf of their constituents. They do this in 2 ways: The work they do in Parliament The work they do in their Constituency or Region

Activity You will be given an information sheet detailing how an MP and an MSP represent us. Your task is to turn this information into an informative leaflet. You have this period and part of next period to finish this. Leave space on the front to do your title, you will do it last. Get the information done first.

Read the information carefully. MPs and MSPs don’t always represent us in the same ways. You need to make these distinctions.