Democracy in scotland (features)

• One feature of democracy in Scotland

  • Elections
  • Protests
  • Existence of multiple political parties
  • Free press
  • Citizens' human rights are protected
  • Citizens have a say in who governs them
• Elections


  Citizens can vote for who represents them
• Protests


  Citizens can voice their displeasure with the government if they disagree with its actions
• The news media can report what is happening without government interference to keep the citizens informed of what is happening at home and abroad
• The media has regularly reported on financial irregularities in the governing party's (the SNP's) accounts since 2021
• The last Scottish Parliament election was in 2021 with another scheduled for 2026
• From 2020 even some prisoners have the right to vote in Scottish elections
• The government is prevented from treating citizens poorly
• Citizens have a say in who governs them
• The human rights of citizens are protected
• Elections are a key feature of democracy in Scotland
• Last Scottish election


  2021
• Next Scottish election scheduled


  2026
• Protests are another key feature of democracy in Scotland
• Protests


  • The pressure group "this is rigged" spray painted the entrance to the Scottish Parliament in August 2021 to protest oil and gas projects
• Devolved power of the Scottish Parliament

  Law and order
• Law and order


  1. The Scottish Parliament has the power to change and make law

  2. For example, in 2014 they introduced the age of criminal responsibility, increasing it from 8 to 12
• Multiple political parties stand for election in Scotland
• The media has regularly reported financial irregularities in the government parties' (e.g. the SNP) accounts since 2022
• The rights of citizens are protected in Scotland, for example prisoners have the right to vote in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election
• Devolved matters in Scotland

  • Law and order
  • Education
  • Alcohol and drugs
• Reserved matters for the UK government


  • Military
  • Social security and police
• In 2020, the UK government left the European Union after almost 4 years of negotiation and political stalemates
• Roles of the First Minister


  • Explains government decisions to Parliament
  • Communicates government decisions to the public
  • Represents Scotland abroad
• Powers of the First Minister

  • Hires and fires cabinet members
  • Sets the agenda of government
  • Receives more media attention than other politicians
• In 2021, Scottish voters chose the SNP to be the largest party in Parliament, allowing them to remain as the government party
• There are opportunities for citizens to participate in democracy in Scotland, such as sending petitions and joining political parties
• The influence of the media on democracy in Scotland is significant, with the government being heavily criticised for deleting WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Social media is creating a harsher and more hostile environment, particularly for women and minority ethnic communities, in Scottish politics
• Role of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament


  1. Motions and debates

  2. First Minister's Questions

  3. Voting
• In 2017, the Scottish Parliament voted 69-59 in favour of having a second independence referendum
• Black people are underrepresented in the UK's House of Representatives and Senate compared to their proportion of the population