Rights and responsibilities/ participation

• Voting


  • People are able to vote in elections which are free and fair
  • People can vote for people they wish to represent them
  • People are not restricted in their voting
• Voting


  • Millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections
• Protesting


  • Scottish citizens are free to protest in streets about a cause of belief they feel strongly about
  • Protesting is not restricted as long as it is done within the law
• Protesting


  • In November 2021 there were protests over climate change during the COP26 summit
• Standing as a Candidate

  • Scottish people can put themselves forward to many political positions in Scotland to be voted for
  • Many people will run as a candidate in Scottish elections to be an MSP
• Standing as a Candidate

  • In 2021, Mairi McAllan stood as a candidate for Clydesdale constituency in Scottish Parliament elections
• Joining a political party

  • People can choose to join or support a political party in Scotland
  • Joining a party shows their support and they actively campaign for them
• Joining a political party

  • There are over 100,000 members of the SNP making it the largest party in Scotland
• Rights of citizens in Scotland


  • Right to vote
  • Right to join a political party
  • Right to join a pressure group
  • Right to free speech
  • Right to protest
• Responsibilities of citizens in Scotland

  • Use their right to vote
  • Support political party they join
  • Campaign peacefully and within the law
  • Not use hate speech
• Citizens exercising rights


  • Millions voted in 2021 Scottish Parliament elections
  • Over 100,000 members of the SNP
  • Extinction Rebellion protests in Scotland
  • Certain songs banned at football games due to being sectarian
  • Black Lives Matter protests in Glasgow in 2020
• Ways citizens can participate in Scottish politics

  • Stand for election
  • Vote
  • Protest
  • Join pressure/interest group
• Citizens participating in politics

  • Mairi McAllan stood and won as MSP candidate in 2021
  • Millions voted in 2021 Scottish Parliament elections
  • Black Lives Matter protests in 2020
  • Greenpeace campaigning on environmental issues