Power/Role of the first minister

• Role of the First Minister (FM)

  • Responsible for the formulation, development and presentation of Scottish Government policy
  • Can make decisions in the best interest of the Scottish people
• Decisions made by Nicola Sturgeon

  • Removing the need to wear face masks within the classroom during the coronavirus pandemic in February 2022
• Representing Scotland


  • Responsible for representing Scotland's people and interests throughout the UK and overseas
  • The figurehead for Scotland
• Nicola Sturgeon representing Scotland

  • At the COP 26 climate change summit in Glasgow in November 2021
• Appointing Cabinet Ministers and Government Secretaries

  • Has the power to decide who should be in a responsible position in government
  • Can create new roles, alongside hiring and firing people from these roles
• Nicola Sturgeon appointing John Swinney


  • As Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery in May 2021
• Representing the Government


  • Represents the Scottish Government in question and answer sessions at The Scottish Parliament (known as First Minister's Questions) every Thursday from 12:00 to 12:45
  • Can give direct responses to questions and concerns from MSPs
• First Minister


  • Leads the Scottish Government
  • Responsible for formulation, development and presentation of Scottish Government policy
• First Minister's role


  • Nicola Sturgeon enforcing face masks in public places despite UK government scrapping this
• First Minister's Questions (FMQs)

  Represents the Scottish Government in question and answer sessions at The Scottish Parliament every Thursday
• First Minister's power of appointment

  • Decides who should be in responsible positions in government
  • Can create new roles, hire and fire people
• First Minister's power of appointment

  • Nicola Sturgeon appointed John Swinney as Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery in 2021
• First Minister's role


  Represents Scotland's people and interests throughout the UK and overseas
• First Minister representing Scotland

  • Nicola Sturgeon representing Scotland at COP26 climate change summit in 2021