The work of an MSP Role of Members

The work of an MSP

Role of Members Scottish Parliament § In basic terms, the main responsibility of MSPs is to represent the people that elected them § Because Scotland is a representative democracy, citizens entrust MSPs with making decisions for them § MSPs should try to respect the wishes of the majority of their constituents or they may not win re-election

§ There a total of 8 MSPs that represent the Glasgow (North) Constituency: § One constituency MSP, Sandra White, and 7 regional MSPs. Sandra White Ruth Davidson Anne Mc. Taggart Hanzala Malik Drew Smith Patrick Harvie Humza Yousaf Bob Doris

“The move, which will come into force in 2015, follows an agreement earlier this year by the Holyrood parties to limit their 2014 pay increase to 1%, including ministerial pay. Until now, the practice has been for MSPs' pay to sit at 85% of the pay for MPs at Westminster. The IPSA proposals would see MPs' pay rise to £ 74, 000. With MSPs currently earning £ 58, 097, under their new deal they will be refusing a pay rise of some £ 6, 390 in 2015. ”

What do MSPs do in their constituencies? Media Surgeries Correspondence Fact Finding Meetings

What do MSPs do in Parliament?

http: //www. scottish. parliament. uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877. aspx

Most Recent:

Patrick’s Recent Voting History

Sandra’s Recent Voting History

Who do MSPs have to answer to? Party Whips Constituents Groups MPs have to answer to Themselves - personal views Political Parties

Constituents § The primary responsibility is to represent constituents § They are after all the people who have elected the MSP § If constituents are not happy with an MSP they may vote for someone else § Example – MSP voted out…MSPs lost two seats in recent byelections

Own Party § Most MSPs belong to a political party…e. g. Labour or SNP § This means that their party selected them to be a candidate and so have backed them and funded them to help them gain election § MSPs therefore have to keep their own party happy and are expected to vote along party lines

Party Whips § The job of a party whip is to ensure that MSPs follow the party line. For example the Labour for Independence movement- against the party whip. § This is so that MSPs from the same party vote together on issues § Therefore, MSPs may be under pressure to vote with their party on an issue, even if they are going against the wishes of their constituents

Personal Views § MSPs may have personal views or beliefs which influence how they vote § MSPs should disregard their personal views and vote according to the best interests of their constituents § This may be difficult for some MSPs who have strong religious, moral or political views which differ from their constituents or party § E. g. John Mason MSP who is in the SNP Party went against his party (and probably most of his constituents) by voting against the legalisation of gay marriage in 2013 § Also, two MSPs, Tom Finnie and Jean Urquhart, left the SNP because the party reversed its stance on Scottish membership of NATO § http: //www. bbc. co. uk/news/uk-scotland-politics-20041667

Other Challenges… § Media – MSPs have to ensure that they, their constituency and their party get positive media attention. Also must avoid scandal which could harm their or their party’s reputation. The recent expenses scandal harmed the reputations of several MSPs including the Glasgow MSP Ann Mc. Taggart who spent £ 141 on books just a month after being elected in May 2011. The titles included “Public Speaking and Presentation for Dummies” and “The Scottish Parliament: An Introduction”. § Pressure groups – decisions made by MSPs may be supported or opposed by influential pressure groups so MSPs must be wary. E. g. if MSPs make decisions which may have a negative environmental effect then they may face opposition from Greenpeace or other environmental groups. § Work-life balance – MSPs have to commute regularly between their constituency and the Parliament in Edinburgh which can be challenging, particularly for MSPs in remote parts of Scotland such as the Highlands and Islands. MSPs with families may find the job difficult as a result. A 2014 report suggests that in reality MSPs work up to 69 hours per week.