To what extent can parliamentary representatives effectively check the powers of the government?

Vocabulary flashcards covering the methods, examples, and limitations of parliamentary scrutiny over the government in the Scottish Parliament.

Minority Government

A government that lacks enough seats to pass bills alone and must negotiate deals with other parties to secure votes, allowing parliament to more easily check its powers.

Majority Government

A government holding over half of the seats in parliament, allowing it to railroad unpopular policies without needing the support of other parties.

SNP Hate Crime Act

Legislation implemented in 2021 under Humsa Yousaf that was initially criticised and not passed because the SNP was a minority government, before eventually passing in a very different form.

Minimum Unit Pricing Bill

Legislation introduced in 2012 after being denied in 2010, which passed because the SNP gained a majority of seats in parliament.

First Minister's Question Time (FMQT)

A scrutiny session held twice weekly and broadcast live for the Scottish population to watch, allowing party leaders and MSPs to question and hold the government to account.

Malcolm Offord

Leader of Reform UK who questioned the First Minister regarding oil drilling in the North Sea during FMQT on the 28th of May.

Backbench MSPs

Members of parliament who scrutinise government power but often face limited time at FMQT, such as having only 15 minutes remaining after party leaders took 30 minutes of the 45-minute session on the 28th of May.

Committee Inquiries

Formal investigations by Scottish parliamentary committees that have the authority to call on anyone within parliament, including the First Minister, to give evidence.

Salmon Inquiry

An inquiry before which previous First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was called to give evidence regarding claims made against him.

Committee Convener

The most important person on a parliamentary committee who makes all decisions; nine committees in the Scottish Parliament have an SNP convener or deputy.

Members' Bills

Proposed laws introduced by individual MSPs that require the government to hold a debate, though they are very rarely passed through government.

Mark Russell

A Green MSP who recently successfully passed a members bill to ban greyhound racing in Scotland.

Party Whip

A party mechanism that controls the opinions and thoughts of party members, limiting the autonomy of individual MSPs when voting and proposing legislation.

Ash Regan

The Community Safety Minister who resigned in October 2022 before the Gender Recognition Reform Bill because her beliefs differed from her party whip.