Sort the following under what you believe to be the correct heading

1. Starter: How effective are MSPs in scrutinising the work of the SG Sort the following under what you believe to be the correct heading • Committees • FMQTs • Voting • Debates More effective Less effective

2. 3 mins In your notepad summarise these roles of the First Minister- use a real life example. Once you have did this share your findings with your partner Be ready to share your summary with the class!

3. Lesson Starter Now reduce that to 5 key words… Write 5 sentences summarising the role of MSPs And finally to one word….

4. Today we will… • Outline the role of the First Minister and the Cabinet • Describe limitations of the First Ministers role Success Criteria • Explain the role of the First Minister and the Cabinet • Understand limitations of the First Ministers role on influencing the work of the executive

5. The role of the First Minister & Cabinet

6. Overview of the Role of the First Minister Accountable to Parliament Implements government Policy Appoints Cabinet The First Minister Promotes Scotland abroad Head of cabinet

7. Appoints the Scottish Cabinet • One of the most obvious roles of the FM is to appoint MSPs who will become Cabinet Secretaries and ministers who form the executive. • The FM must ensure that competent MSPs hold roles in government as they will be held directly responsible for ministers’ decisions. The FM will replace any secretaries whom they feel are underperforming. These departments’ successes and weakness directly reflect on the effectiveness of the government as a whole. • In July 2018, Nicola Sturgeon oversaw a “Cabinet reshuffle”, moving ministers to different positions. This also sparked the resignation of Health secretary Shona Robison prior to the reshuffle. Robison came under scrutiny for failing to meet targets surrounding the NHS. Sturgeon also introduced a equal Cabinet- appointing members with gender neutrality. (6-6)

8. Head of the Cabinet • The FM sets the Cabinet agenda outlining the issues being discussed and also chairs these meetings, as they are the head of the Cabinet and leader of the Scottish Gov. • As the FM sets the Cabinet agenda, this allows them to have significant influence over Governmental policy allowing the FM to influence policy/legislation in line with their parties political agenda and project their vision for Scotland. The FM must ensure the Cabinet agenda is up-to-date and the meetings move at a reasonable pace, ensuring the efficiency of the government formulating and introducing policy. • This is an important power, because it means that the FM decides on what the most important issues the government has to deal with are, and they can leave off the agenda anything they do not wish to have discussed. The FM sets the priorities for government andmanage the discussion of Ministers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwmjScg1_Cg

9. Head of the Cabinet • However, this can be hard to do in a minority or coalition government.As the FM could be forced to appoint important members of the executive from parties out with their own, this can infringe on the influence of the FM. • For example, Jack McConnell (Labour) appointed 3 Lib Dems to his Cabinet such as Nicol Steven MSP due to the coalition in 2003. • From the 2016 election the SG is an SNP minority government. During these times the FM has less ability to “get their own way” as they will have to negotiate with other parties more. This encourages cross-party negotiations to take place

10. Head of the Cabinet • However, Sturgeon said that she would be willing to listen to others in the course of her minority administration- CONSENSUS politics – example support for John Finnie’s (Green MSP) smacking ban bill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkd_4Jz-hoM • Analysis – Since the FM and the SG are responsible for all most all policies and legislation in Scotland, it is clear that they are hugely important in terms of decision-making for Scotland. Most bills passed by Parliament are Government bills and so this underlines the important role of the FM and the significance of the SG in terms of decision-making.

11. Accountable to Parliament • The FM is accountable for the actions of himself/herself and the Scottish Government. • This is primarily seen at First Ministers Question Time. This takes place every Thursday (45 minutes) • FMQT is the Parliament’s chance to scrutinise the work of the government. Although opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs will often use this as a time to score points and embarrass the Scottish Government.

12. Promoting and representing Scotland abroad • The FM has a crucial role in representing Scotland on the world stage. Alex Salmond visited China on more than one occasion during his time as FM, in order improve trade-links with the country and with an eye on attracting foreign investment and jobs to Scotland. • He also attended sporting events to represent Scotland, including the Wimbledon Final in 2013. • Analysis – This gives the FM tremendous influence as they are essentially figureheads for Scotland and can have an impact on Scottish economic policy by raising the profile of the nation abroad and by attracting investment therefore improving international relations.

13. Promoting and representing Scotland abroad • The high profile nature of the First Minister’s role has courted controversy in the past however. • Scotland is a constituent nation of the UK – our Head of State is therefore technically the Queen. • Moreover, Foreign Relations and Trade, are a RESEVRED issue. This suggests that, at least in technical terms, the main representative of Scotland in negotiations and international matters is the Prime Minister/UK gov. • For example, the Scottish government’s relationship with China has been called into question on several occasions; China is one of our prominent trade partners (for whiskey and other Scottish products) however, trade deals are created on the basis of UK law and not Scots law. Alex Salmond’s perusal of China based trade deals caused heavy friction between UK and Scottish governments.

14. Responsible for implementation of Government policies • The vast majority of Laws passed in the SP come from the SG (about 80%). Although Government Bills can be proposed by cabinet secretaries, the overall responsibility for government policy lies with the FM. • The FM and SG are also responsible for ensuring that these policies are implemented. As the SNP held a majority from 2011-16 with 69-60 seats they could press on with implementing their policies as they could rely on the support from the majority of parliament. Alex Salmond’s SNP Governments introduced a number of bills with have been successfully passed and implemented. • For example, the abolition of prescription charges in 2011 and the Offensive Behaviour at Football legislation in 2012.

15. Responsible for implementation of Government policies • The FM and SG are also responsible for agreeing a BUDGETeach year. This is where they decide on spending on each of the devolved areas which effect the day-to-day lives of the people of Scotland. The government manages an annual budget of around £35 billion and this is divided up to each Cabinet Secretary for their department. • Analysis – This illustrates the decision-making power of the FM and the SG. Most bills which successfully become law come from the Scottish Government and are approved by the FM. The SG decide on the Scottish budget each year meaning that they can focus spending on the areas which they feel are priorities.

16. Responsible for implementation of Government policies • However, again during coalition and minority governments the power of the FM is reduced significantly and they can not always pass laws easily. During the SNP minority Government from 2007-2011, the SG introduced a number of bills, which were rejected by MSPs. • Compromise becomes a major part of the workings of the SG during these types of Government parties bargain which each other in order to get what they want. • Furthermore, although the SG decide on the budget annually, this is a budget which is based on the money which they receive from Westminster each year. So if the British Government reduces the amount of money they give to the SP each year (as they have done continuously for the last several years) then the SG are less able to implement the policies they want successfully.

17. Responsible for implementation of Government policies • Analysis- It is clear then that the FM’s power to propose policies and implement them can be severely restricted. Particularly during minority or coalition governments, since the SG’s ability to implement laws is limited by other MSPs and also by Westminster. • Crucially, the SG have no say whatsoever when it comes to reserved issues. Immigration, defence and welfare are the sole responsibility of Westminster on so the SG has no power to initiate policy in these areas. • Analysis- This shows that although the SG and FM can propose and implement policies on devolved matters they have absolutely no decision-making power on reserved issues which still affect Scottish people and their everyday lives. Other than Budget what else might the SG not have power over? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWu3YA9SEeQ

18. Summarise In your notepad summarise the success of the government in passing legislation - Make reference to majority/minority and coalition governments.

19. Coalition Government 1999-2003 • Following the first Scottish Parliament elections there was no clear winner. Scottish Labour had the most seats (56). They formed a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats (17). This coalition earned the nickname “Lib-Lab” • Cabinet team composed of both Labour and Lib Dem MSPS. • Donald Dewar (Lab) – the first First Minister - died of a brain haemorrhage on 11th October 2000. • Henry McLeish (Lab) took over as FM later in October 2000. He resigned from post in November 2001 following a financial scandal. • Jack McConnell (Lab) then took over as First Minister and sought to stabilise the government. • Key Acts: Free university/college tuition, free personal care for the elderly, the McCrone teaching agreement (pay and conditions for teachers)

20. Coalition Government 2003-2007 • Again, there was no clear winner from the election. Scottish Labour remained the largest party (50). They, again, formed a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats (17). • Cabinet team composed of both Labour and Lib Dem MSPS. • Jack McConnell (Lab) remained FM. • Both Deputy First Ministers were Liberal Democrats (Jim Wallace MSP and then NicolStpehen MSP) • The current Scottish Parliament building was completed and officially opened in 2004. • Key Acts: the introduction of STV for local council elections, the Smoking Ban, Breastfeeding Act – making it illegal for any woman to be stopped from breastfeeding in a public place.

21. Minority Government 2007-2011 • SNP held 47 seats and faced a combined opposition of 82. • Alex Salmond formed a minority government. • This was the first minority administration in the history of the SP and began a new form of consensus and inclusive politics. • Salmond’s government had to seek parliament’s approval ‘policy by policy’. • This made it difficult for SNP to achieve its goals.

22. 2011 Majority Rule • Following the 2011 Scottish election the SNP had 69 seats in Parliament. • Cabinet team composed solely of SNP MSPs. • Able to push through Salmond’s agenda as his party has the majority of seats. • Salmond believed he had a ‘moral authority’ to deliver a referendum as the SNP were able to form a majority government. • Salmond resigned in the middle of the Parliamentary session (2014) following the NO vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum. • Nicola Sturgeon was voted in as FM following Salmond’s resignation.

23. Minority Government 2016 - • The SNP formed a minority government with 63 seats at the election. • The Scottish Conservatives became the 2nd largest party in the Parliament for the first time with 31 seats under Ruth Davidson. • The SNP have again sought to pass legislation on a “policy by policy” basis with support often coming from the Scottish Greens. • Perhaps the greatest issue currently facing the Parliament is the fallout from Brexit. • Other major issues include: pay for public sector workers, climate change and the recurring theme of Scottish Independence.

24. First Ministers of Scotland • There have been 5 First Ministers of Scotland since the Parliament opened in 1999. • Donald Dewar died in 2000. • Henry McLeish had to resign in 2001 after a financial scandal. • Jack McConnell became First Minister in November 2001 and quit in 2007 when the SNP defeated Labour. • He was replaced by Alex Salmond. • Salmond resigned in September 2014 • Nicola Sturgeon officially took Office in November 2014

26. Evaluate the importance of the executive in decision making in government. 12 K: F.M is political Leader of the Scottish Government. Responsibility for devolved powers such as Education, Health. Particularly with a majority government the FM can see out their vision. For example the Scottish Independence Referendum E:Most bills passed are gov. bills therefore this underlines the importance of the FM/Cabinet. A vast number of laws have been passed which have made changes to Scotland- GIVE EXAMPLES. Also Sturgeon said that she would be willing to listen to others in the course of her minority administration- CONSENSUS politics – example support for John Finnie’s bill. K: Power with decision making could be reduced if no single party has a majority, Coalition, FM less likely to get their own way. Give examples. E: Reduced influence of FM as other parties will have more of a say in the decision making process. Give examples.