Who's who in the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Electorate

• Anyone living in Scotland who is over 16 years old and on the Electoral Register
• The electorate vote for MSPs

MSPs

• There are 129 MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) elected by the Scottish people:
• 73 constituency MSPs, and 56 regional MSPs (7 for each of the 8 regions)
• Each person therefore has 8 MSPs to represent them in Parliament.
• MSPs vote for the Presiding Officer and the First Minister

Presiding Officer

• One MSP is elected to chair the meetings of Parliament.

First Minister

• MSPs vote for the First Minister.
• The First Minister is head of the Scottish Government and has overall responsibility for the policies (proposals) of the Government.
• The First Minister must ensure that these policies are implemented (put in place).
• The First Minister represents the Government in the media and at official meetings.
• The First Minister selects the MSPs who will be in the Government.

Scottish Government

• The Scottish Government is the government in Scotland for all devolved matters.
• The Scottish Government is formed by the party or parties holding the majority of seats in Parliament.
• The MSPs in the Government are called ‘Scottish Ministers’.