Effectiveness of holding the government to account

Question: What power do MSPs have regarding government legislation?

Point - MSPs challenge Bills by voting.

Question: How does the voting process work for MSPs regarding new laws?

Explain - MSPs vote at Stage 1 and Stage 3 to amend or reject Bills.

Question: Can you give an example of MSPs voting to reject government legislation?

Example - In 2018, MSPs blocked a plan for standardised P1 tests.

Question: Why is MSPs' power to vote on legislation more significant in minority governments?

Analysis - In minority governments, MSPs can more easily reject or amend Bills.

Question: How does a majority government affect MSPs' ability to challenge legislation?

Counter Point - In majority governments, MSPs ensure laws pass easily.

Question: Why are MSPs more likely to vote with the government in a majority government?

Counter Explain - Party discipline in majority governments limits rejection of proposals.

Question: Can you give an example of when a majority government was able to pass legislation?

Counter Example - The SNP passed Minimum Unit Pricing in 2012 after failing in 2010.

Question: What challenges can even a majority government face when passing legislation?

Counter Analysis - A majority helps pass laws, but internal opposition can arise.

Question: How does the voting process and the role of MSPs in legislation highlight the importance of scrutiny in government?

Link - Voting shows the need for scrutiny in minority governments.

Q: What is a key method the Scottish Parliament uses to scrutinise the executive?

Point - Committees scrutinise the government.

Q: What are parliamentary committees and what roles do they perform?

Explain - Committees check laws and investigate issues.

Q: What is an example of a committee inquiry that led to government policy change?

Example - In 2018, a £100 uniform grant was proposed and accepted.

Q: Why was the Education and Skills Committee’s inquiry considered effective?

Analysis - It Shows committees can drive change.

Q: What is a limitation of parliamentary committees?

Counter Point - Government can ignore committees.

Q: Why might committee influence be limited despite their investigations?

Counter Explain - Change depends on politics.

Q: Give an example where a committee’s suggestion wasn’t fully implemented.

Counter Example - A: In 2022, the committee faced limits on amendments.

Q: What does the Gender Recognition Reform Bill case tell us about the limits of committee power?

Counter Analysis - Committees may struggle with controversial or sensitive changes.

Q: How effective are parliamentary committees overall in scrutinising the executive?

Link - Committees' success depends on government response.

Q: What is the purpose of First Minister’s Questions (FMQs)?

Point - A: FMQs scrutinise government.

Q: What happens during FMQs?

Explain - A: FMQs is a 45-minute session for policy questions.

Q: Can you give an example where FMQs was effective in scrutiny?

Example - A: In 2021 FMQs led to an inquiry into the Salmond allegations.

Q: Why was FMQs effective in the Alex Salmond case?

Analysis - FMQs forced Sturgeon to call an inquiry, showing its political impact.

Q: Why do some believe FMQs is ineffective?

Counter Point - Critics say FMQs has little impact, with deflections.

Q: Why might FMQs fail to hold the government accountable?

Counter Explain - The FM deflects, turning FMQs into a political battle.

Q: Can you provide an example of FMQs not being effective?

Counter Example - Yousaf deflected Covid questions by attacking Boris Johnson.

Q: What does this example tell us about FMQs?

Counter Analysis -FMQs fail when the FM avoids answers and attacks others.

Q: How effective is FMQs overall as a form of scrutiny?

Link - FMQs succeed if the FM answers, not deflects.

Q: What is the purpose of Members' Bills?

Point - MSPs can propose laws through Members' Bills.

Q: How are Members' Bills introduced?

Explain - 18 cross-party MSPs are needed to propose a Bill.

Q: Can you give an example of a successful Members' Bill?

Example - Kelly MSP repealed the Offensive Behaviour Act in 2018.

Q: Why was James Kelly's Members' Bill successful?

Analysis - The Bill succeeded after the SNP lost its majority, aiding Members' Bills.

Q: Why are some Members' Bills unsuccessful?

Counter Point -In Session 5 only 8 of 16 Bills passed.

Q: Why do Members' Bills often struggle?

Counter Explain - They need broad support difficult with government opposition.

Q: Can you give an example of an unsuccessful Members' Bill?

Counter Example - Margo MacDonald's Assisted Suicide Bill was rejected in 2013.

Q: Why did the Assisted Suicide Bill fail?

Counter Analysis - The Bill failed, showing how views impact Members' Bills.

Q: How effective are Members' Bills overall?

Link - Members' Bills can lead to significant change, but they often require broad cross-party support to succeed.