Scottish Parliament

File:Scottish Parliament logo.svg

The Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland. Located in the capital city of Edinburgh, it is responsible for making decisions on a wide range of issues that affect the people of Scotland. The Parliament was established in 1999 following a referendum in 1997, where the people of Scotland voted in favor of devolution.

History

The concept of a separate Scottish Parliament dates back to the early 20th century, but it was not until the late 20th century that significant progress was made. The Scotland Act 1998 was a pivotal piece of legislation that led to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. The Act was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and received Royal Assent on 19 November 1998.

The first elections to the Scottish Parliament were held on 6 May 1999, and the Parliament officially convened on 1 July 1999. The establishment of the Parliament marked a significant moment in Scottish history, as it was the first time since 1707 that Scotland had its own legislature.

Structure and Function

The Scottish Parliament is a unicameral body, meaning it has a single legislative chamber. It consists of 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The Parliament operates under a mixed-member proportional representation system, known as the Additional Member System. This system combines first-past-the-post and proportional representation to elect MSPs.

The Parliament is responsible for a range of devolved matters, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. It has the power to pass legislation on these issues and to scrutinize the work of the Scottish Government.

Presiding Officer

The Presiding Officer is the speaker of the Scottish Parliament and is responsible for maintaining order during debates, deciding who may speak, and ensuring that the rules of the Parliament are followed. The Presiding Officer is elected by the MSPs and must remain impartial.

Committees

The Scottish Parliament has several committees that play a crucial role in its work. These committees examine legislation, scrutinize the work of the Scottish Government, and conduct inquiries into specific issues. Committees are made up of MSPs from different political parties to ensure a balanced representation.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Scottish Parliament involves several stages. A bill is first introduced and then goes through a series of readings and committee reviews. MSPs have the opportunity to debate the bill and propose amendments. If the bill passes all stages, it is sent for Royal Assent and becomes law.

Devolution and Powers

The Scottish Parliament has devolved powers, meaning it can legislate on certain issues independently of the UK Parliament. These powers include areas such as health, education, and local government. However, some matters, known as reserved matters, remain under the control of the UK Parliament, such as defense and foreign affairs.

Elections

Elections to the Scottish Parliament are held every five years. The Additional Member System is used to elect MSPs, with 73 MSPs elected from single-member constituencies and 56 MSPs elected from regional lists.

Also see

• Devolution in the United Kingdom
• Scotland Act 1998
• Scottish Government
• First Minister of Scotland
• Politics of Scotland