Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament. The devolved, unicameral legislature of Scotland, established in 1999 following a referendum the previous year. It has the power to legislate on all areas not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom under the Scotland Act 1998. The Parliament meets in the distinctive Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

History

The creation of a devolved legislature was a central aim of the Scottish devolution movement throughout the 20th century, championed by groups like the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Constitutional Convention. Following the Labour Party's victory under Tony Blair, the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum resulted in a decisive vote in favour of establishing a Parliament. The foundational Scotland Act 1998 was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, leading to the first elections in 1999 and the official opening by Queen Elizabeth II on 1 July 1999. Subsequent legislation, notably the Scotland Act 2012 and the Scotland Act 2016, have significantly increased its powers following recommendations from the Calman Commission and the Smith Commission.

Powers and functions

The Parliament's legislative competence is defined by the Scotland Act 1998, which outlines reserved matters remaining with the Parliament of the United Kingdom, such as defence, foreign policy, and fiscal policy. Devolved matters include key domestic areas like health, education, justice, transport, and the environment. The Parliament has full control over income tax rates and bands and some borrowing powers, as well as limited authority to vary Value Added Tax. It cannot legislate on matters concerning the Union of the Crowns or the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Composition and elections

The Parliament comprises 129 Members (MSPs), elected for four-year terms using the Additional Member System. This hybrid system elects 73 members from constituencies via first-past-the-post, and 56 from eight larger regions using a form of party-list proportional representation. Notable elections include the 2007 election, which brought the Scottish National Party to power as a minority government under Alex Salmond, and the 2011 election, which resulted in an unprecedented SNP majority, leading to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

Building

Since 2004, the Parliament has sat in the purpose-built Scottish Parliament Building in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh, adjacent to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The complex, designed by the late Catalan architect Enric Miralles in partnership with RMJM, is celebrated for its innovative and symbolic design, incorporating elements representing the Scottish landscape. Its construction was overseen by the Holyrood Progress Group and was significantly delayed and over budget, a subject of major controversy examined by the Fraser Inquiry. Key spaces include the Debating Chamber, the Garden Lobby, and the MSPs' Building.

Political parties and government

Executive power is exercised by the Scottish Government, led by the First Minister, who is nominated by the Parliament and formally appointed by the Monarch. The government is formed from the party or coalition commanding majority support, typically following agreements like the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Greens. The principal opposition parties are the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour, and the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The Presiding Officer chairs parliamentary debates and is expected to act impartially, with recent officeholders including Ken Macintosh and Tricia Marwick.

Category:Scottish Parliament Category:Unicameral legislatures Category:Devolution in the United Kingdom