Who do I contact my MP or MSP

1
Who do I contact my MP or MSP?

• An MSP can only deal with devolved matters

• An MP can deal with reserved matters

2
The work of MSP in the constituency
Letters or e-mails can be sent to MPs and to
MSPs, people can outline their problems and
explain what they want their representative to
do. The MSP will spend time investigating and
replying to their constituents
3
The work of an MSP in the constituency

• The MSP will have an office in the constituency
  which the public can contact by telephone
• The MSP makes themselves available at certain
  times and people can go along to speak to their
  representative.
• It is like a doctors surgery

4
The work of an MSP in the constituency

• They attend local meetings and meet party members
  to find out what are the main concerns of the
  constituents
• They will meet local pressure groups, the MSP
  might then use their influence to to talk to the
  council, police etc

5
The work of an MSP in the constituency

• MSPs are often asked to open local fetes,
  hospitals etc
• They are sometimes invited to talk to groups of
  pupils to explain what they do
• This is another opportunity to gather first hand
  information about problems e.g. crime,
  unemployment

6
So what is the difference working in the Scottish
Parliament and the House of Commons?

• Working hours/Sitting hours
• Scottish parliament has more family friendly,
  normal working hours ie mostly 9.30-5.30.
• House of Commons sits later midweek from 11.30,
  and until 10.00 pm on Mondays and 7.00pm on
  Tuesday- Thursday

7
So what is the difference working in the Scottish
Parliament and the House of Commons?

• Holidays and recesses
• Scottish Parliament sits 30-33 weeks per year,
  holidays similar to school holidays
• House of Commons has longer recesses including
  break for party conferences and Whitsun

8
So what is the difference working in the Scottish
Parliament and the House of Commons?

• Salaries and expenses
• MPs receive more in salary, allowances to employ
  staff and expenses than MSPs

9
So what is the difference working in the Scottish
Parliament and the House of Commons?

• In the Scottish parliament, Voting is done
  electronically by swipe cards.
• In the House of Commmons, MPs have to walk
  through lobbies, sometimes in the middle of the
  night.

• The lay out of the Scottish parliament is
  designed to be less confrontational than the
  benches of Westminster.
• There is though evidence that MSPs like sitting
  next to their allies and that the level of debate
  has been as hostile as that of Westminster.!

10

• Answer the following questions in your jotter,
  use your notes and slides to help you
• Describe in detail the role of an MSP (8)
• Explain the differences between working in the
  Scottish Parliament and The House of Commons (8)