1. Lesson Starter In your own words, explain the difference between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government. Give examples. Outline the meaning of ‘devolution’. You have 10 minutes to complete this task. Help each other!

2. The founding principles of the Scottish Parliament What will I learn?

3. Success Criteria Identify the different founding principles of the Scottish Parliament. Explain the procedures the parliament has put in place in order to live up to the principles.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 3. Participation and Access (2) Email addresses for all MSPs and all Scottish Parliament documents are available on the website. 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.

9. 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.

10. Task 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.