Scottish Parliament
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The Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Scotland. Located in the Scottish Parliament Building in the capital city of Edinburgh, it is responsible for legislating on a wide range of issues that have been devolved from the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
History[edit | edit source]
The Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 following a referendum in 1997, where the people of Scotland voted in favor of devolution. The Scotland Act 1998 provided the legal framework for the establishment of the Parliament, granting it the power to legislate on a variety of domestic issues.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The Scottish Parliament is unicameral, meaning it has a single legislative chamber. It consists of 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The Parliament uses an additional member system to elect MSPs, combining first-past-the-post and proportional representation.
Presiding Officer[edit | edit source]
The Presiding Officer is the speaker of the Scottish Parliament, responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the rules of the Parliament are followed. The current Presiding Officer is Alison Johnstone.
Committees[edit | edit source]
The Parliament has several committees that scrutinize legislation, hold inquiries, and examine the work of the Scottish Government. These committees play a crucial role in the legislative process.
Powers[edit | edit source]
The Scottish Parliament has the power to legislate on a range of issues known as "devolved matters." These include education, health, environment, and justice. However, certain areas, known as "reserved matters," remain under the control of the UK Parliament, such as defense, foreign affairs, and immigration.
Legislative Process[edit | edit source]
The legislative process in the Scottish Parliament involves several stages, including the introduction of a bill, committee scrutiny, and debates in the chamber. A bill must pass through three stages before it can become law.
Elections[edit | edit source]
Elections to the Scottish Parliament are held every five years. The most recent election was held on 6 May 2021. The next election is scheduled for 7 May 2026.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Scotland
- Scottish Government
- Devolution in the United Kingdom
- Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Edinburgh
See Also[edit | edit source]
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