Examine the representation of Women and Ethnic Minorities in the Scottish parliament.

Do you think this has been achieved?

 The Scottish Parliament was designed to be more attractive to women. It was advised that:  The sitting pattern of the Parliament should be ‘family friendly’;  The arrangements for the operation of the Parliament should be equally attractive to men and women;  The Parliament should meet during normal business hours on a regular, programmed basis

 Women make up 49% of the population but only make up 35 % of members of the Scottish parliament. (a) There are 129 MSPs – How many are women? (b) How many women should there be?

The late Margo MacDonald was so popular and well respected by all sections of voters – she had been able to comfortably win a seat on the Lothian regional list outright with no party allegiance. In fact, in 2007, she won so many votes that she could have held two seats if that had been physically possible.

 Sadly, however, the achievements of these Scottish political ‘greats’ are not reflected in the number of women who have been active in politics and government in Scotland.  Like so many parts of other Western European democracies, gender equality has not been achieved.

The prominent role played by Nicola Sturgeon MSP, as First Minister, cannot conceal the fact her party continues to be dominated by men.

 Party strategies are key –positive discrimination that have proven to be effective in the past in Westminster.  Only Scottish Labour have applied strategies to increase the number of women in both the constituency seats and regional Lists.  In constituency seats, the party requires gender-balanced short-lists. In the list seats zipping is used that alternate the name of candidates in order i.e. man-woman-man-woman.  Indeed, it was Labour’s one-off strategy in 1999 of twinning constituencies that explains the conundrum that until 2011, more women were actually elected via constituencies than through the party list.

In 2012 the Guardian Newspaper carried out a “Women in Politics” study as part of the 101 st International Women’s Day. Scotland were ranked 20 th in the table behind countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway who have 40% representation. Scotland triumphed over the UK who have 22.3% female representation. However the UK parliament does have 27/650 ethnic minorities (4%)

 Ethnic minorities continue to be underrepresented.  There are only 2 ethnic minority MSPs out of 129 whereas they make up 3% of the population. (a) How many ethnic minorities should there be in the Scottish Parliament? (b) What percentage do they currently make up?

Humza Yousaf MSP for Glasgow

Activity Complete task 9 on page 29 of ‘Democracy in Scotland’ booklet