The Scottish Parliament plays a pivotal role in the governance of Scotland, with powers to legislate on devolved matters such as education, health, and justice. Established by the Scotland Act of 1998, it operates under a mixed electoral system known as the Additional Member System (AMS), ensuring a balance between direct representation and proportional party support. Its historical roots trace back to the medieval Estates of Scotland, evolving significantly post-1997 Devolution Referendum.
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The Scottish Parliament has the authority to pass laws in areas such as education, health, the environment, justice, and local government
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Fiscal Policy
These matters are reserved for the UK Parliament in Westminster and cannot be legislated on by the Scottish Parliament
Tax and Social Security Issues
The Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate on these issues, as they are also reserved for the UK Parliament
Within its devolved competencies, the Scottish Parliament has the autonomy to pass laws and develop policies, often with a progressive focus on areas such as environmental sustainability and social justice
The AMS combines first-past-the-post voting for constituency MSPs with a form of proportional representation for regional MSPs
Two Votes
Voters have two votes, one for a constituency MSP and another for a party or individual on a regional list
Balancing Direct Choice and Proportional Representation
The AMS aims to balance the direct choice of representatives with a proportional distribution of seats that reflects the overall support for political parties across Scotland
The medieval 'Estates of Scotland' operated until the Acts of Union in 1707 merged the English and Scottish Parliaments
The successful 1997 Devolution Referendum paved the way for the re-establishment of a distinct Scottish Parliament with a defined set of devolved powers
The Scotland Act of 1998 laid the legal groundwork for the modern Scottish Parliament, which convened for the first time in May 1999
While the UK Parliament retains sovereignty and can legislate on any issue, it has devolved certain responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament distinguishes itself from the UK Parliament through its approach to governance and policy-making, often with a progressive focus on modern challenges and societal needs
00
The ______ Parliament has the power to examine the Scottish Government and enact laws in devolved sectors like education and health.
Scottish
01
Matters such as ______, defense, and fiscal policy are under the jurisdiction of the UK Parliament in ______.
foreign affairs
Westminster
02
Electoral system used for MSPs
Additional Member System (AMS)
