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The Scottish Parliament: 129 MSPs

Study note

The Scottish Parliament meets at Holyrood in Edinburgh. Its members are called Members of the Scottish Parliament, usually shortened to MSPs, and there are 129 of them in total. This number, 129, is worth memorising, and it is different from the 90 members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

MSPs are elected using a form of proportional representation, which is different from the first past the post system used for the UK Parliament. The Scottish Parliament can pass laws on all the matters that are not reserved to the UK Parliament, so it controls devolved areas such as health and education, while matters like defence stay with the UK. For the test, remember 129 MSPs, meeting at Holyrood in Edinburgh, elected by proportional representation.

Memory tip: Scottish Parliament: 129 MSPs, at Holyrood in Edinburgh, elected by proportional representation.

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Question 1 of 7

How many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are there?

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Show all questions and answers for The Scottish Parliament: 129 MSPs(7 questions with explanations)

The Scottish Parliament: 129 MSPs: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. How many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are there?

    • 129
    • 90
    • 100
    • 60

    Correct answer: 129

    There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

  2. 2. What are members of the Scottish Parliament called?

    • MSs
    • AMs
    • MLAs
    • MSPs

    Correct answer: MSPs

    Members of the Scottish Parliament are called MSPs.

  3. 3. In which building does the Scottish Parliament meet?

    • The Senedd
    • Westminster
    • Stormont
    • Holyrood

    Correct answer: Holyrood

    The Scottish Parliament meets at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

  4. 4. How many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are there in total?

    • 129
    • 120
    • 60
    • 90

    Correct answer: 129

    The Scottish Parliament has 129 MSPs.

  5. 5. Members of the Scottish Parliament are elected using a form of proportional representation.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. MSPs are elected by a form of proportional representation.

  6. 6. Which of these statements is correct?

    • There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament
    • There are 90 Members of the Scottish Parliament

    Correct answer: There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament

    The Scottish Parliament has 129 MSPs; the Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 MLAs.

  7. 7. Which of these is NOT a power devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

    • Some areas of transport
    • Defence
    • Health
    • Education

    Correct answer: Defence

    Defence is reserved to the UK Parliament; health and education are devolved.

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