Work of an MSP

• MSPs


  • Should represent their constituents
  • Most are members of a political party and are expected to represent that party
• In their constituency, MSPs

  1. Speak to the public (at surgeries, respond to communications, places such as schools, their office)

  2. Hold meetings (with other elected representatives, with local businesses)

  3. Carry out fact finding missions (there may be a question which an MSP will need to find out more about before giving a final answer)
• In Parliament, MSPs

  1. Speak in a debate

  2. Lodge a motion (get support for an issue)

  3. Attend a committee meeting

  4. Introduce a bill to change the law

  5. Propose an amendment (a change) to a bill

  6. Ask a question of the Scottish government
• The main Parliamentary business days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• MSPs generally spend Mondays, Fridays and weekends working in their constituencies when at meetings and hold surgeries, among other things
• Motion

  A proposition, which is considered and decided upon by the Parliament or a committee