How We Are Represented As Constituents By Our Elected Representatives By Lewis Devoy, Liam Murphy & Douglas Keay

WHO OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE Local level – Gillian Renwick SNP Rhondda Geekie Labour Anne Jarvis Conservative Scottish Level – Fiona McLeod SNP National Level – Jo Swinson Liberal Democrat European Level – Ian Hudghton SNP

HOW COUNCILLORS REPRESENT US Local councillors represent people in there constituency and only deal with local issues like the closing of a local school They hold surgeries to talk to people in their constituency Councillors can raise there constituents problems with the relevant council department so it is dealt with by the correct person Councillors attend meetings of local organisations such as school boards, community councils and local charities They also attend full council meetings and committees A councillor is more likely to get something done than an individual going along themselves

HOW MSP’S REPRESENT US MSP's hold surgeries like councillors but they deal with bigger issues effecting both the local area and Scotland itself MSP's can raise issues at – First Ministers Questions, Full Scottish Parliament Debates, Members Business, Committees and they can also raise a Members Bill Unlike MP's,MSP's have a much greater chance of a bill being debated in parliament due to the members bill. However they can only put forward two in each term If MSP's are given a constituents petition for parliament it must be put forward to parliament and must be brought up and discussed for example the smoking ban started as a petition

HOW MP’S REPRESENT US MP’s hold surgeries in constituencies as do MSP's and councillors MP's can put forward concerns and ideas from their constituents at question time and Prime Minister’s questions for example complaints with the current benefits system They can put forward their constituents view at Prime Ministers questions on Wednesday, full parliament debates, select committees and private members bills They can also contact a specific Cabinet Minister for help in the area they cover. Such as the Secretary of State for Health or the Secretary of State for Education

HOW MEP’S REPRESENT US Although Scotland has 6 MEPS’s it is highly unlikely that anybody would contact their MEP as they probably don’t know who they are. MEP’s deal with issues such as fishing, trade between European countries and issues concerning Europe such as the Euro and financial problems in Europe Scottish fisherman however, may have contacted their MEP’s over EU fishing laws.