This page explains the different roles of the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament.
| |
Scottish Parliament |
UK Parliament |
| |
 |
 |
| Where? |
Scotland |
Scotland
England
Wales
Northern Ireland
|
| How many chambers? |
One chamber |
Two chambers (House of Commons and House of Lords) |
| How many members? |
129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) |
650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons
790 Members of the House of Lords, collectively known as peers
|
| How many members represent Scotland? |
129 MSPs representing you on devolved matters |
59 MPs representing you on reserved matters
(Peers work for the whole of the UK)
|
| Who does it scrutinise? |
The Scottish Government and its agencies |
The UK Government |
| How are members elected? |
73 constituency MSPs are elected by the first-past-the-post-system
56 regional MSPs are elected by proportional representation
|
MPs are elected using the first-past-the-post-system
Peers are not currently elected, but are appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister
|
| When are elections? |
Under the Scottish Parliament Elections (Dates) Act 2016, the next Scottish Parliament elections are scheduled to take place on 6 May 2021
|
Elections are every 5 years
The next UK Parliament election is scheduled for May 2022
|
So how does it work?
| |
Scottish Parliament |
UK Parliament |
| Devolved or reserved? |
Devolved matters |
Reserved matters. The UK can make laws on devolved matters but it generally doesn't |
| Who proposes laws? |
The Scottish Government
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
Committees of the Scottish Parliament
Private companies individuals or groups
|
The UK Government
Members of the House of Commons (MPs)
Members of the House of Lords
Private companies
|
| Who examines the laws? |
The Scottish Parliament
Committees of the Scottish Parliament
|
The House of Commons
The House of Lords
Committees
|
| Who has the final say? |
MSPs |
MPs
Members of the House of Lords
|
| Who implements the laws? |
The Scottish Government |
The UK Government |
Did you know?
You can watch MSPs and MPs live on Scottish Parliament and UK Parliament TV
Each individual in Scotland is normally represented by eight MSPs (seven regional and one constituency) and one MP.
MSPs can also be MPs. This is known as holding a dual mandate.
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