Democracy in Scotland

• Key Features of Democracy

  One key feature of a democracy is that the government is elected by the people. This means that people in Scotland are free to choose who they want to run the country by voting in an election without intimidation. For example, millions of people over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary election.

  
  

  Another key feature of a democracy is that free speech is supported. This means that citizens in Scotland are free to express themselves however they wish with some restrictions such as not being able to use hate speech, encourage violence or tell damaging lies. For example, many people were critical of how Nicola Sturgeon handled the Covid-19 pandemic and put their views online, in newspapers and on TV without the government stopping them.

  
  

  A third key feature of a democracy is that citizens have many rights. Political rights allow citizens to participate in the politics of Scotland and engage with how decisions are made. For example, in Scotland many citizens have used the right to protest to make their views known to politicians on issues such as independence and climate change.
• devolved matters in Scotland

  One devolved matter is health. This means that in Scotland we have our own NHS service, and the Scottish Parliament/Government oversees funding hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists. For example, prescription charges are free in Scotland whereas in England they cost over £9 on average.

  
  

  Another devolved matter is education. This means that in Scotland the education system is different to the rest of the UK and the Scottish Parliament/Government is responsible for ensuring the system is running well with good quality school buildings and teachers. For example, in Scotland pupils sit National, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications assessed by the SQA.

  
  

  A third devolved matter is law and order. This means that in Scotland the Scottish Parliament/Government is responsible for maintaining peace and safety including running the police and courts as well as the powers they have. For example, Scotland's courts have 3 verdicts juries can provide - guilty, not guilty and not proven.
• Roles of the first minister in Scotland

  One role of the First Minister of Scotland is to lead the Scottish Government. This means that the First Minister makes the final decision on what each of the departments of government do in devolved areas such as health and education. For example, when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister, she approved, along with the Green Party, the decision to make bus travel free for all under 22-year-olds in Scotland.

  
  

  A second role of the First Minister is to represent Scotland. This means as the head of the Scottish government it is their responsibility to speak and act on behalf of Scotland in areas that are devolved. For example, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister, she represented Scotland in the UK crisis meetings.

  
  

  Another role of the First Minister is to appoint cabinet secretaries and government ministers to the Scottish Government. This means the First Minister will select other MSPs from the Scottish Parliament to take responsibility for the different departments of the Scottish Government. For example, Shirley-Anne Sommerville had been appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Education when she announced that SQA exams would go ahead in 2022, after they had been cancelled in 2020 and 2021.
• Why the first minister is very powerful

  One reason the First Minister is very powerful is because they are the leader of the Scottish Government. This means the First Minister makes the final decision on what each department of government does, and they can approve and reject policies. For example, Hamza Yousaf approved the Scottish Government's £15 million investment to expand school-age childcare for low-income families.

  
  

  Another reason the First Minister is powerful is because they can appoint and remove cabinet members. This means the First Minister can choose who oversees each government department meaning he has the power to reward those loyal to him and punish or remove those he doesn't think are good enough. For example, Hamza Yousef appointed Shona Robison as the Deputy First Minister as she has been a loyal ally to him.

  
  

  A final reason the First Minister is powerful is because they can approve deals with other parties. This means that because the government doesn't have a majority in parliament other parties can try and get their policies passed in a deal with the government but only if the First Minister approves it. For example, the First Minister approved a deal with the Scottish Greens in the 2016-21 parliament to pass the budget that means under 22-year-olds will have free bus travel.
• why the First Minister is not very powerful.

  One reason the First Minister is considered not very powerful is because he is only responsible for devolved matters. This means that the First Minister can only make decisions about issues that are devolved and has no power over reserved matters. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic Scotland couldn't close the borders to international travel as only Westminster and the Prime Minister have that power.

  
  

  Another reason the First Minister is not always powerful is because they sometimes must agree to deals to pass bills. This means when the government does not have a majority of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament the First Minister has to make a deal with a smaller party showing he lacks power. For example, the First Minister has had to agree to a deal with the Greens so that their government budget could pass each year since 2016.

  
  

  A final reason the First Minister can be seen as not very powerful is because he must answer to Parliament. This means that even though he oversees the government and has a lot of power because of the number of MSPs he has in parliament, he must still go there every week and answer questions that sometimes embarrass him and his government. For example, each week Hamza Yousef takes part in First Minister's Question Time on a Thursday at 12pm.
• the rights and responsibilities in a democracy.

  One right that citizens in a democracy have is that they can vote, and their responsibility is to use their vote. This means that people can vote on a person, party or issue in an election or referendum as a way of expressing their voice. For example, millions of people over the age of 16 in Scotland voted in the Scottish Parliament elections in 2021.

  
  

  A second right that citizens in a democracy have is the right to protest, and their responsibility is that they must obey the law and be peaceful. This means that people in Scotland are allowed to gather in large numbers to protest about something important to them, however they should notify the police in advance and follow all laws. For example, in recent years many Scottish people have protested on climate change with Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter protests that happened in 2020.

  
  

  A third right that citizens in a democracy have is to join a political party, and their responsibility is that they should help support that party. This means that people can join parties whose policies are like their views, and they should help support the party by campaigning for the party at election time. For example, there are over 125,000 members of the SNP making it the largest party in Scotland.
• ways that individual citizens can participate.

  One way that people can participate is by voting. This means individuals can vote on a person, party or an issue in an election or referendum as a way of expressing their voice. For example, millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

  
  

  Another way that people can participate is by signing petitions. A petition is a statement or demand that citizens sign to show how they feel about something. The more signatures it gets the stronger the support looks. For example, a petition was sent to the Scottish Parliament to treat vapes like cigarettes and tobacco.

  
  

  A final way that people can participate is by joining a pressure group. Pressure groups are groups of people that work to influence decision makers and are a powerful way for citizens to express their opinion. For example, people who are concerned about climate change may join a pressure group such as Extinction Rebellion.
• why some people choose to participate.

  One reason people do participate is because they know how important it is. The Scottish Parliament is very powerful and has a lot of responsibility for making Scotland a good place to live. Many people get involved in politics to make sure the Scottish Parliament does a good job. For example, the Scottish Parliament is responsible for devolved matters like health and education, both are areas which impacted people heavily during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

  
  

  Another reason people participate is because they know they can make a difference and influence politics. People in Scotland have joined parties, pressure groups, stood in elections and voted because they recognise the difference that Scottish policies have had on the people of Scotland. For example, in Scotland university is free and so are prescriptions which is not the case for people in England.

  
  

  A final reason that people participate is to protect their rights. Many countries around the world are dictatorships and some of them were democracies that changed as the people in power took away their rights, so people participate to help gain and then protect their rights. For example, only two-thirds of the world's countries are democracies and therefore many people are restricted in terms of their right to participate.
• why some people choose not to participate.

  One reason people don't participate is because they feel excluded from politics. Many young people, women, ethnic minorities, disabled people and LGBT people feel that they are underrepresented by the people in power. For example, there has only ever been 1 woman in charge of Scotland's democracy and 3 women in charge of the UK's democracy.

  
  

  Another reason is because they don't think their participation will matter. Individuals on their own might not feel that their voice is loud enough and so feel that a single protest or a single vote won't make a difference. For example, a few people have been protesting and voting against having nuclear weapons at Faslane in Scotland for decades, but the UK still holds nuclear weapons there.

  
  

  A final reason some people might not participate is because they don't know how. Not every student in Scotland studies Modern Studies and so many might not learn about all their rights as well as how Scotland's democracy works. For example, most people are not members of a political party and only about half of those who can vote, do vote in Scottish elections.
• the different stages of an election.

  One stage of an election is the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament. At the start of the election campaign the Scottish parliament will close and all MSPs stop being MSPs unless they are re-elected. For example, when parliament was dissolved in 2016 all former MSPs were only allowed in the Scottish Parliament building as members of the public although because of the Covid-19 pandemic this didn't happen in 2021.

  
  

  Another stage of the election is the campaign. This is when the people who want to be elected will try to promote themselves and ask for you to vote for them. For example, all the leaders of the main political parties took part in Leaders' Debates in 2021 on TV as well as creating manifestos and Party-Political Broadcasts.

  
  

  A final stage of an election is election day. This is where citizens will cast their vote, the votes will then be counted, and a winner declared. For example, in 2021 the SNP gained the largest number of votes in the election as well as seats, so they were declared the winner.
• ways political parties campaign

  One method used by parties is canvasing & leafleting. This is when the candidates and other party members will go around the local constituency to knock on doors, hand out leaflets and try and encourage people to vote for their party. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton went around areas of Edinburgh West asking people to vote for him in the 2016 and 2021 Scottish parliamentary elections.

  
  

  A second campaign method used by parties is to take part in debates. This is often when a representative of the party will take part in a public debate against people from the opposite party. They do this in the hope that people will like what they say and vote for them. The most famous example is the Leaders' Debates that were on the BBC, STV and Chanel 4 with the then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon against the other party leaders.

  
  

  One other method used by parties is to create a Party-Political Broadcast. These are like mini adverts that the parties create to be shown on TV. They are only allowed to have these adverts shown on TV during an election campaign. For example, in the Scottish Conservatives party political broadcast in 2021 they stated that voting for them would prevent a second Scottish independence referendum.
• why some election campaigns are more successful.

  One reason some election campaigns are more successful is due to the high numbers of party members. This is because the more members you have then the more people you have going around and knocking on the doors of local people promoting your party and convincing people to vote for you. For example, the SNP have over 120,000 members who often volunteer their time to promote the party. The SNP have been able to fill the Hydro for party events because they have so many members.

  
  

  Another reason some election campaigns are more successful is due to having a good leader. The leader is very important as they are the face of the party and will take part in Leaders' debates on TV that let people judge the political party. A good leader could increase your support. For example, the Conservatives promoted their ex-leader Ruth Davidson in the 2021 election as she was more popular than the actual leader Douglas Ross, even though she was not standing.

  
  

  Another reason some election campaigns are more successful than others is due to their use of social media. Social media allows the party to reach many voters and tell them about their policies. This can help convince voters to support the party. For example, the SNP have over 325,000 X (formerly Twitter) followers compared to the next closest party who have just 69,000 followers.
• the role of individuals in an election.

  One role individuals have is to get informed during the campaign. As it is ultimately up to individuals to vote then one of their main roles is to pay attention to the campaigns so that they can understand the issues and make up their minds. For example, watching the Leaders' debates or Party-Political Broadcasts from each party as well as reading the manifestos of the political parties.

  
  

  Another role of individuals is to stand as candidates. If individuals don't put themselves forward as candidates, then there is no one to select so it is important that individuals step up to be scrutinised and voted on. For example, Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Cole-Hamilton both put themselves forward to be candidates in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.

  
  

  A final role of individuals is to vote. This is one of the most important roles and responsibilities that individuals have during an election campaign where they need to make up their mind and select the people and parties that they want to vote for. For example, millions of people voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections which the SNP won.
• the role of political parties in an election.

  One role of political parties is to recruit and promote candidates. In Scotland's democracy each of the parties must recruit people to stand and represent them. To be successful they will want to recruit candidates that will be popular to voters but also be strong supporters of the party's policies. For example, all the parties introduced polices to promote more female candidates in winnable seats in the 2021 election except for the Conservative party.

  
  

  Another role of the political parties is to produce a manifesto. A manifesto is a collection of policies that the party has. The policies in the manifesto are like a promise being made to voters. For example, the SNP said in 2021 that all students should have a laptop or tablet in school and that all primary students should get a free school meal.

  
  

  A final role of political parties is to go out and campaign. This is when the parties will organise their supporters and members to go out onto the streets, knock on doors and try and convince people to support them. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton went around Edinburgh West asking people to vote for him in 2016 and in 2021. He walked around putting leaflets through people's letterboxes.
• the role of the media in an election.

  One role of the media is to scrutinise the political parties. The media have a really important role where they will have a deep look at the policies of the parties and ask the leaders and candidates very difficult questions. This is to help inform us, the public, to make our choice. For example, during the 2021 election, the BBC asked Nicola Sturgeon questions about a hard border in an independent Scotland.

  
  

  Another role of the media is to provide a platform for parties. This is where the media will give time to each of the parties so that they can try to directly reach the voters and promote themselves. For example, in 2021 most of the parties had Party Political Broadcasts (PPBs) shown on the BBC.

  
  

  A final role of the media is to promote public concerns. This is where the media will gather the views and concerns of the public and put them to the candidates. By doing this publicly it makes us all aware. For example, in the 2021 election the leaders all took part in the BBC Leaders' Debate where Nicola Sturgeon and the other leaders took questions from the public through Zoom about Covid and a second referendum.
• Why parties use media in election campaigns

  One reason parties use digital media in election campaigns is to reach all voters. This type of media is the most popular form of media for all voters. Many polls have shown that most voters still rely on TV for information about elections. To address this parties prepare Party Political Broadcasts to try and reach most voters. For example, the SNP had a Party Political Broadcast stating that education will always be free in Scotland.

  
  

  A reason parties use print media in election campaigns is to reach older voters. As this type of media is allowed to be biased and used by older voters, political parties will work with newspapers to try and reach supportive older voters who are more likely to vote. For example, The Sun in Scotland has supported the SNP while the Daily Mail in Scotland has supported the Conservatives and spoke out against the SNP & Labour.

  
  

  A final reason political parties use new media in election campaigns is to reach younger voters. This type of media is heavily used by young people so using it will allow political parties to reach out to the younger voters who traditionally don't vote. It is also very cheap and sometimes free to use which saves parties money. For example, Nicola Sturgeon has almost 1.5 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) where her most used hashtag is #voteSNP.
• the work of MSPs in the constituency

  One way that MSPs represent voters in the local constituency is by visiting local schools. MSPs will often visit schools in their local area to talk to young people about issues important to them as well as helping students understand more about the Scottish Parliament. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has attended The Royal High School and answered questions from pupils about the environment and a second independence referendum.

  
  

  Another way that MSPs represent voters in the local constituency is by holding a local surgery. This is a dedicated time of the week where the local people can go to speak to their MSP about devolved and local issues that are important to them. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP holds his surgery in Corstorphine so that people can go to meet him with their problems.

  
  

  A final way that MSPs represent voters in the local constituency is by attending important events and promoting local business. MSPs will often be present for events happening in their local area. This often happens at weekends but lets MSPs speak to locals and get to know more about what's important to the community. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP attended the #MarchForEurope rally in Edinburgh in September 2019 and posted images of his attendance on Twitter.
• the work of MSPs in parliament.

  One way that MSPs represent voters in parliament is by taking part in debates. This is when MSPs meet in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon to put forward problems and ask parliament to consider how to solve them as well as debate proposed new laws. For example, MSPs in the Scottish Parliament debated smacking children before it was banned.

  
  

  Another way that MSPs represent voters in parliament is by taking part in question time. This is an important opportunity for MSPs to ask government ministers, including the First Minister, important questions that matter to their constituents. For example, Hamza Yousef takes questions every Thursday from MSPs on the work of his government.

  
  

  A final way that MSPs represent voters in parliament is by joining a committee. As there is too much work for all 129 MSPs to work together they will break out into smaller groups to look carefully at parliament's business. Each committee will specialise in a particular area like Health or Education. For example, the Health and Sports committee worked on the new Organ Donation law in Scotland.
• the composition of committees in parliament.

  The committees of the Scottish Parliament are made up of members from all the parties. The more members a party has in parliament after an election the more members from that party on the committee. For example, the SNP will have more members than the Conservatives because they won more seats in 2016 and 2021.

  
  

  The leadership of the committees is shared between the parties. This is based on the results of the last election. So, the more members of parliament you have the more committees your party will lead. For example, for most of the committees the convenor (chair) is from the SNP.

  
  

  The members of the committees will not be members of the government. As one of the main roles of the committees in the Scottish Parliament is to scrutinise the work of the Scottish Government it will not have members of the government on the committee. For example, Hamza Yousaf as the First Minister will answer questions to a committee rather than ask questions for a committee.
• the purpose of committees in the Scottish Parliament.

  One purpose of the committees is to conduct inquiries. The committees will gather evidence on an issue, learn any important lessons and make recommendations for the future. For example, in 2020 the Education and Skills Committee opened an enquiry into why some schools are not teaching Modern Studies.

  
  

  Another purpose of the committees is to hold the Scottish Government to account. This means to pay close attention to the work of the Scottish Government and question them on issues that are a concern. For example, John Swinney, who oversaw education for the Government, had to explain what happened with the cancelled exams in 2020 and 2021 and how education continued during the Covid-19 pandemic to the Education and Skills Committee.

  
  

  A further purpose of committees is to scrutinise legislation (laws). This means to look very carefully at proposed Bills by going line by line and discussing how it works. Committees will also gather evidence to support their decisions on supporting or rejecting a bill. For example, the Health and Sports Committee reviewed the Organ Donation Bill before recommending that all of Parliament supports it.
• representation/underrepresentation in the Scottish Parliament.

  One group that is underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament is ethnic minorities. There are hundreds of thousands of Scottish people who are not white, yet they are currently and historically underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament. For example, less than 3% of MSPs are from an ethnic minority background compared to around 4% of the population being an ethnic minority.

  
  

  Another group that continues a long history of underrepresentation is women. Despite some high-profile women being in the parliament the reality is that Nicola Sturgeon was the only female first minister out of the first 6. For example, only 45% of MSPs are female compared to around 51% of the population.

  
  

  Another group that is underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament is disabled people. Not all disabilities are visible, and the Scottish Parliament building was designed with accessibility in mind however there is only two openly disabled MSPs. For example, in the 2021 parliament only 2 MSPs were open about being disabled compared to around 20% of the population.
• Why some groups are underrepresented


  A reason ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament is because of the racism they face. Racism may limit the number of candidates picked for an election, but it can also put people off getting involved in the first place because of the abuse they face. For example, the only 2 MSPs in the 2016-2021 parliament - Anas Sarwar and Humza Yousaf gave an interview to the BBC talking about how racism and islamophobia has been getting worse and they regularly receive violent death threats.

  
  

  A reason women are underrepresented in the Scottish Parliament is due to sexism in politics. The way women are treated in politics, with the media often more likely to focus on a women's looks rather than their ideas can be a big barrier to women's participation. For example, when Theresa May was Prime Minister, the Daily Mail compared her and Nicola Sturgeon's legs rather than their policies on Brexit.

  
  

  Another reason women may be underrepresented might be due to a lack of role models. Politics has always been dominated by men while girls and women are told their place is in the home. It can then be off- putting for women if they look at politics as a place that is not very friendly for women. For example, there has only ever been one female First Minister and currently 4 out of the 5 main parties in Scotland are led by men.
• the role of the media.

  One role of the media is to inform us. This means to keep the public up to date on current affairs and breaking news. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic the First Minister gave a daily briefing through the BBC to make sure people were informed about the rules to keep people safe.

  
  

  Another role of the media is to influence us. This means to make us think in a particular way or encourage us to vote a certain party. For example, in the run up to the 2021 Scottish election the Daily Mail ran headlines warning voters of the SNP and supported the Conservatives while the National ran headlines making fun of the Conservatives and Boris Johnson.

  
  

  A final role of the media is to educate us. This means to help educate the public on party policies, new laws, and complex issues of the day. For example, in the 2021 election all the political parties used X (formerly Twitter) to share their election manifestos to educate voters about their policies.
• methods used by the media to influence politics.

  One method used by new media to influence voters is targeted adds. This is when media companies like X, Facebook and Instagram can use the data they learn about you to target you with adverts to make you think a certain way. For example, younger voters were more often likely to see videos of the youngest SNP MP Mhari Black while older voters might see videos of Boris Johnson who is liked more by older people.

  
  

  Another method used by the print media is front page headlines. The print media is allowed to be biased so it will often use its front covers to express an opinion in a sensationalist way and encourage the reader to join its point of view. For example, in the run up to the 2021 Scottish election the Daily Mail ran headlines warning voters of the SNP and supported the Conservatives while the National ran headlines making fun of the Conservatives and Boris Johnson.

  
  

  A final method used by broadcast media that could be influential is running debates. Though the broadcasters must be balanced in their reporting they will organise leadership debates so that the people at home can hear all the views and make up their mind. For example, Hamza Yousaf took part in the leaders' debates on the BBC, STV and Channel 4 in 2023.
• arguments that the media is influential in our democracy.

  One way the media is influential is by running debates. Though broadcasters must be balanced in their reporting, by putting on leadership debates they allow the public to see how political leaders do under pressure and this helps voters make up their mind. For example, recent studies show voters think that TV debates have been the most influential in influencing their vote.

  
  

  Another way the media can be influential is by uncovering scandals. Often newspapers will look carefully at the government and try and find a scandal. This can be influential as it forces the government to act. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic the media repeatedly questioned Nicola Sturgeon about her advisor breaking the rules which forced her advisor to quit.

  
  

  A final way that the media can be influential is by running their own campaigns. This is when media like newspapers support an issue, they think is important and use their power to question politicians and influence public opinion. For example, the Daily Record had been running a campaign to decriminalise drugs which the SNP later supported.
• Methods used by pressure groups

  One method used by pressure groups is letter writing. This involves getting supporters and the public to write to the government or companies to try to get their support. For example, the Surfers Against Sewage pressure group organised a letter writing campaign about a bottle deposit scheme which the Scottish Government announced it would support.

  
  

  Another method used by pressure groups is protesting. This often involves people marching, gathering in large crowds, and making their feelings known. For example, after Extinction Rebellion organised protests to shut down cities and for students to walk out of class, the Scottish Government declared a climate emergency and changed some of its policies.

  
  

  A final method pressure groups can use is lobbying. This usually involves meeting directly with decision makers like MSPs to try and persuade them to support a group's cause. For example, the TIE campaign won campaign of the year for their successful efforts to lobby MSPs into supporting Scotland to have the first LGBT+ inclusive education system.
• evidence that pressure groups are influential.

  One way pressure groups can be effective is through their use of letter writing. It can be effective as it shows many people and MSPs how much people support an issue and MSPs might not want to lose votes as a result. For example, the Surfers Against Sewage pressure group organised a letter writing campaign about a bottle deposit scheme which the Scottish Government announced it would support.

  
  

  Another way pressure groups can be effective is through protesting. Sometimes groups break the law when they do this, but it can be effective as the media attention it attracts can also put pressure on the government to act. For example, after the Climate Extinction group organised protests to shut down cities and for students to walk out of class, the Scottish Government declared a climate emergency and changed some of its policies.

  
  

  A final way pressure groups can be effective is through lobbying. It can be effective as it can happen in person and the be shown in the media, so MSPs who want to look good to voters must think carefully before they ignore people lobbying them. For example, the TIE campaign won campaign of the year for their successful efforts to lobby MSPs into supporting Scotland to have the first LGBT+ inclusive education system.
• why some people would join a pressure group.

  One reason some people might join a pressure group is because they support the aims of the group. Pressure groups can often cause important change and so people join a group that is focused on the issues that are important to that person. For example, people who want clean beaches might join Surfers Against Sewage.

  
  

  Another reason some people might join a pressure group because they know they are effective. Many pressure groups have been successful in persuading the government to change its mind so someone might join a larger group with proven success. For example, people would look at TIE and join them because they have been successful.

  
  

  A final reason people might join a pressure group is because they are expressing their political right. A key feature of a democracy is the right to join a group and protest so people might join groups because they are free too. For example, people may join in with Extinction Rebellion as a way of expressing their voice and opinion.
• the key features of AMS.

  One feature of the Additional Member System is that voters get two votes. This means that the people of Scotland get to make two choices on who they would like to be represented by in the Scottish Parliament. For example, the people in Barton would vote in the Edinburgh Western constituency and the Lothian region.

  
  

  Another feature of the Additional Member System is that there are two types of MSPs. This means that MSPs in the Scottish Parliament are either constituency MSPs or regional MSPs. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton is the constituency MSP for Edinburgh Western and represents his constituents' views on local issues in the Scottish Parliament.

  
  

  One other feature of the Additional Member System is that the result is more proportional. This means that the number of seats in parliament the parties get is much closer to the number of votes they get. For example, in 2021 the Conservatives got around 25% of the vote and around 25% of the seats.
• the outcomes of AMS.

  One of the outcomes of the Additional Member System is that coalition government is more likely. This is when no party has a majority of seats in parliament and so makes a formal deal with another party and they run the country together. For example, the first two governments in the Scottish Parliament were a coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

  
  

  Another outcome of the Additional Member System is that a minority government can sometimes result. This is when again no party has a majority, but the largest party decides to govern on its own and must make deals with other parties on a vote-by-vote basis. For example, the SNP have run two minority governments where they have recently had to rely on the Greens to pass their budget in the 2016-2021 parliament.

  
  

  A further outcome of the Additional Member System is fairer representation. Because the way the votes are counted and seats given out, the number of seats a party gets is close to the number of votes they get. This makes the outcome fairer. For example, in 2021 the Scottish Greens got around 8% of the vote and around 8% of the seats which seems fair.
• the advantages of AMS.

  One advantage of the Additional Member System is there is a strong link between parliament and the people. In the first vote (constituency vote) people will select a representative for that area. This means people will know who their local MSP is quite easily. For example, Alex Cole-Hamilton is the local MSP for Edinburgh Western.

  
  

  Another advantage of the additional member system is that voters get more choice. The Additional Member System works by having voters select a local representative for the constituency and then choosing a party for the region they live in. This means people could vote for two different parties in one election. For example, many people might vote SNP for their constituency vote and Green with their regional vote as both support independence.

  
  

  A further advantage of the Additional Member System is fairer representation. Because the way the votes are counted and seats given out, the number of seats a party gets is close to the number of votes they get. This makes the outcome fairer. For example, the Scottish Greens got 8% of the seats after acquiring 8% of the vote.
• the disadvantages of AMS.

  One disadvantage is that many people vote against the constituency MSP. As the first vote uses a winner take all system (First Past the Post) which needs a simple majority for someone to win which isn't seen as fair. For example, over 20,000 people voted against Alex Cole-Hamilton in the Edinburgh Western constituency vote meaning that their views were not being represented.

  
  

  Another disadvantage of the Additional Member System is it is complex to understand. Elections for the Scottish Parliament involve voters using two ballots to select MSPs in two different ways which could put some people off voting. For example, in the first vote you vote for a person but in the second you select a party for your region.

  
  

  A final disadvantage of the Additional Member System is it encourages tactical voting. With FPTP people will often choose the party they think is closest to their views and has a chance to win rather than the one they want. For example, many people in Edinburgh Western would have voted for the SNP or the Liberal Democrats because they were the only two that had a chance to win rather than the Greens, Labour, or Conservatives in 2021.
• why some people choose not to vote.

  One reason some people don't vote is because they don't feel represented. Many young people, women and minorities look at the lack of representation in the Scottish Parliament and don't see people like them so think "why bother." For example, only 4 MSPs are of an ethnic minority background.

  
  

  Another reason some people don't vote is because they don't have too. Though almost everyone has the right to vote in Scotland but because it is a democracy many people might choose not to vote. For example, turnout for the Scottish Parliament is on average around 50% since 1999 which is low.

  
  

  A final reason some people may not vote is because they don't understand how too. The Additional Member System is quite complicated which might put people off voting, or they might make mistakes. For example, with AMS you have two votes - one for a person in the constituency and one for the party in the region.
• why some people choose to vote.

  One reason people do vote is because they know how important it is. The Scottish Parliament is very powerful and has a lot of responsibility for making Scotland a good place to live. Many people get involved in politics to make sure the Scottish parliament does a good job. For example, the Scottish parliament is responsible for devolved matters like health and education, both were areas which impacted people heavily during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

  
  

  Another reason people vote is because they know they can make a difference and influence politics. People in Scotland have joined parties, pressure groups, stood in elections and voted because they recognise the difference that Scottish policies have had on the people of Scotland. For example, in Scotland university is free and so are prescriptions which is not the case for people in England.

  
  

  A final reason people vote is to protect their rights. Many countries around the world are dictatorships and some of them were democracies that changed as the people in power took away their rights, so people participate to help gain and then protect their rights. For example, only two-thirds of the world's countries are democracies and therefore many people are restricted in terms of their right to participate.