Democracy
Devolved & Reserved Powers
Role and Powers of the First Minister
Participation
Campaigning
100

What is a democracy?

Citizens can participate freely through voting to elect their political representatives

100

What is a devolved power?

Powers which Scotland is responsible for

100

Who is the current First Minister and what political party is he the leader of?

John Swinney, SNP

100

Nicola Sturgeon put herself forward to a candidate for the Scottish Parliament in the 2021 election. How has this individual participated in politics?

Standing as a candidate

100

How old do you have to be to become a candidate in an election?

18 years old

200

What does the word 'democracy' mean?

People rule.

200

What is a reserved power?

Powers which the UK Parliament has kept for itself. Most of these are things that would affect the whole of the UK.

200

Humza Yousaf (when he was First Minister) represented the Scottish Government at the coronation of King Charles and in the Cop 28 conference in Dubai. What role of the First Minister is shown here?

To represent Scotland

200

Millions of people in Scotland over the age of 16 voted in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections. What method of participation is shown here?

Voting
200

What are the three stages of an election campaign?

1. dissolution of the Scottish Parliament

2. the campaign

3. Election Day

300

People are able to take to the streets in large numbers and express their views on issues that they feel are important. What feature of Scotland's democracy is this?

Right to protest
300

Is the Constitution a reserved or devolved power?

Reserved

300

Humza Yousaf decided to freeze council tax in Scotland in 2024 to help with the Cost of Living Crisis. What role of the First Minister is shown here?

To lead the Scottish Government 

300

There are over 100,000 members of the SNP making it the largest party in Scotland. What method of participation is shown here?

Joining a political party

300

Representative of a party will take part in debate against people from the opposite party. What campaign method is this?

Leaders Debates

400

Citizens in Scotland are free to express themselves however they like with some restrictions like not being able to use hate speech, encourage violence or tell damaging lies. What feature of Scotland's democracy is this?

Free speech.

400

3 examples of reserved powers

Immigration

Terrorism Act

Nuclear energy oil, coal, gas and electricity

The Constitution

Trade and industry

Benefits social security

War and defence

400

Jenny Gilruth has been appointed the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills which is why she has been speaking about the reforms of the exam system. What role of the First Minister is shown here?

To appoint cabinet secretaries and government ministers to the Scottish Government.

400

3 reasons why people participate?

They know how important it is

They know they can make a difference

To support a political party

400

All main political parties will broadcast their manifestos on the TV. What campaign method is this?

Party Political Broadcast

500

People in Scotland have been free to choose who they want to run the country by voting in an election without intimidation. What feature of Scotland's democracy is this?

The government is elected by the people.

500

3 examples of devolved powers

Education

Tourism

Agriculture

Housing

Health and social services

Sports and the arts

Culture and identity

Transport

Local government

Law and order

500

When Nicola Sturgeon was the First Minister she had to agree a deal with the Greens so that their governments budget passed each year since 2016. Does this show the First Minister as powerful or not?

The First Minister is not always powerful is because they sometimes have to agree deals to pass bills.

500

3 reasons why people don't participate

They feel excluded

They don't think their participation will matter

They don't know how

500

Douglas Ross went around Moray asking people to vote for him in 2021 he walked around putting out leaflets through the doors in Moray which were like ‘mini manifestos’, briefly explaining their policies. What campaign method is this?

Canvassing and leafleting