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What is the role of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)?

Watch this video to learn about the role of MSPs.

MSPs debate and vote on proposed new laws, raise issues that are of concern to them or their constituents and scrutinise the work of the Scottish Government. They do this through:

• work on committees
• Question Time (including First Minister's Questions)
• debates in parliament

However, the governing party has their own tools to help them pass legislation. This includes:

• having a majority
• the whip system

Holding the Government to account

Watch this video to find out more about how MSPs hold the Scottish Government to account.

What is the committee system?

Committees of the Scottish Parliament allow MSPs to further examine the work of the Scottish Government, to hold them to account and conduct enquires into issues that affect the people of Scotland.

One of the unique features of the Scottish Parliament is the way the committee system operates. There are several different committees which scrutinise the work of the government, conduct enquires and examine legislation.

• Some committees are mandatory. For example, the Public Petitions Committee.
• Others are established at the beginning of each session. For example, Education and Skills Committee.

Most committees have between five and fifteen members working on cross-party lines. Members are selected with regard to the political party balance across the Scottish Parliament, as are the Convenors (Chairs) of the committees.

This reinforces the power of the Government, especially if it is a majority government. However, it also allows the opposition parties to have a strong influence in committees as they may be the convenor or be in a majority if the government is a minority one.