Democracy in Scotland

• Reserved matters are those that remain under the control of Westminster, such as foreign affairs, defence, immigration, and taxation.
• The Scottish Parliament has the power to make laws on devolved matters, but not reserved or excepted matters.
• The Scottish Parliament has limited powers compared to other devolved legislatures like Wales or Northern Ireland.
• MSPs serve four-year terms with elections held every five years.
• There are eight regions in Scotland, each electing seven members, while 73 constituency seats are filled based on first past the post voting.
• There is no fixed term for the Scottish Government, which can be dissolved by the First Minister at any time.
• Scotland's legal system is separate from England and Wales, with its own courts and judges appointed by the Lord President of the Court of Session.
• The Scottish Parliament has the power to create new criminal offences and set penalties within certain limits.
• In addition to MSPs, there is also an elected First Minister who serves as head of government.
• Scotland's parliamentary system includes a cabinet made up of ministers appointed by the First Minister.
• The Scottish Government is responsible for implementing policies passed by the Scottish Parliament.
• what is a democracy

  a democracy means people have the right to vote for people in power

  they have the right to freedom of speech

  people have the right to protest

  people can join a trade union
• examples of democracies include - the USA, the UK, most European contries
• a dictatorship is a government where one person has absolute power and control over the country - people cant vote, people cant protest, and people cant say what they want for fear of repercussions.
• examples of a dictatorship - China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Sudan
• One key right people in a democracy have is the right to vote, which goes with the responsibility to use their vote.
• One right people in a democracy is the right to free speech, which goes with the responsibility to not use hate speech.
• One right in a democracy is the right to join a political party, which goes with the responsibility to help support that party in any way they can.
• One right in a democracy is the right to protest, which goes with the responsibility to obey the law and protest peacefully.
• In Scotland, we vote for or elect three main types of representatives.
• Members of the Scottish parliament (MSP's) are elected every 5 years to the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh by people on Scotland only.
• Local Councillors are elected every 4 years to councils like south Lanarkshire.
• Members of Parliament (MP's) are elected every 5 years to the British parliament in London.
• Voting amongst young people is at an all time low.
• Many people feel politicians don't really speak for them, especially recently on things such as Brexit and the cost of living crisis.
• Many people feel politicians are in politics for their own interests and care little about the interest of ordinary people.
• The Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, in Edinburgh, and is responsible for Scottish matters only.
• Devolved matters are those looked after by the Scottish Government, including health, social work, education, housing, local government, tourism, law, farming, forestry, fishing, planning, police and fire services, the environment, sport and the arts, road network and harbours.
• Reserved matters are those looked after by the British Government, including defence, social security, foreign affairs, immigration, broadcasting, trade, energy-coal, nuclear, oil and gas, equal opportunities, money, employment law, gambling and national lottery, data protection, terrorism and security.
• The three main roles of the first minister are representing Scotland, leading the Scottish government, and appointing government officials.
• The first minister acts on behalf of Scotland at home and internationally.
• The first minister has the final say in government decisions on devolved matters.
• The first minister appoints government ministers and cabinet secretaries from their party.
• Democracy means that every citizen has a say in decisions that are made.
• The UK is a parliamentary democracy as the Queen is the head of state.
• Democracy can be exercised through voting in elections.
• Health


  In Scotland you get your prescriptions for free.

  This means that everyone can get medicine for

  free if they are unwell. It can help benefit people

  who need regular prescriptions for illnesses

  without worrying about costs.
• Education


  The Scottish Parliament is responsible for

  the matter of education. MSPs can discuss

  and make changes to the education system

  in Scotland. In Scotland pupils sit Nationals

  and Highers which is different to the English

  systems with GCSE’s.
• Environment


  The Scottish Parliament is in charge of

  environmental issues in Scotland. This

  could include whether or not a wind farm

  should be developed in an area. This may

  involve local people becoming involved in

  campaigning if they are for or against the

  development.
• Sports and the arts


  The Scottish Government can decide on

  which sporting facilities can be built in an

  area. The Government built the facilities for

  the commonwealth games in 2014 which

  locals can now use. The Emirates area for

  example has velodrome, gym and spa

  facilities, indoor running track and football

  facilities etc.