Democracy in Scotland and the UK: Video playlist

Every four or five years, voters in Scotland elect the 129 MSPs who represent them in the Scottish Parliament. 73 represent constituencies and 56 represent larger regions. All MSPs vote on who will be the First Minister. This is most likely the leader of the biggest party in Parliament. The First Minister then chooses ministers to form the Scottish Government. It is the job of MSPs to represent people in their constituency or region. MSPs spend time in their community holding surgeries and looking into local issues as representing their area in parliament. Some MSPs represent the electorate through being part of the government. All MSPs attend the debating chamber where they debate issues and propose, amend and vote on bills. Bills voted for by majority become new laws called Acts of the Scottish Parliament. On Thursdays at Holyrood, MSPs have the opportunity to question Scotland’s First Minister during First Minister’s questions. The Scottish Parliament has a powerful committee system. Committees are made up of MSPs from all political parties and are responsible for proposing and amending legislation, scrutinising bills, taking evidence from witnesses and conducting inquiries. In this way, they can effectively hold the government to account.