What can MSPs do?

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) can represent their constituents or help them in various ways. For example, they can:

• lodge a motion to allow other MSPs to show their support for an issue or to gather support from MSPs to have the issue debated in the Parliament
• attend a committee meeting dealing with a particular bill or issue
• speak in a debate about a bill or an issue
• introduce a bill to change the law
• propose an amendment (a change) to a bill passing through the Parliament
• ask the Scottish Government a question or write to the relevant Cabinet Secretary of Minister
• refer matters to, or ask questions of, another person or organisation (for example local councils, housing associations, health boards)
• help raise the profile of an issue in the media

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more in the Your MSPs leaflet for the region you live in.

You can find which constituency and region you live in by entering your postcode into the postcode search box on our website. The postcode search results page gives information about the MSPs who represent you.

Fact sheets contain information about current and previous MSPs. 

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has produced a briefing entitled The Scottish Parliament's casework service: understanding the hidden work of MSPs.

The principles and standards of conduct for MSPs in relation to their parliamentary duties are set out in the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament.

The following short film gives an insight into what MSPs do.

Amy Dawson interviews Kezia Dugdale MSP (BSL)