First Minister (Scotland)

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Current incumbent Nicola Sturgeon
First incumbent Donald Dewar

Since the Scottish Parliament was founded in 1999, the Scottish head of government has been referred to as First Minister ( German  First Minister , Scots First Meinister o Scotland , Gaelic Prìomh Mhinistear na h-Alba ) . The official title is a deliberate differentiation from the Prime Minister , the head of government of the entire United Kingdom . The current incumbent is Nicola Sturgeon , the first woman to hold this position.

The First Minister is a member of and is nominated by the Scottish Parliament. The official appointment is made by the monarch of the United Kingdom . The powers of the First Minister include nominating cabinet members, state secretaries and public prosecutors. He is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for his actions and those of the entire government.

The official residence of the First Minister is Bute House in Edinburgh .

history

In 1997, Scottish voters voted in a referendum to establish a Scottish Parliament and regional government. These institutions should provide some independence in areas related to Scotland such as health care or education. Since then, the Scottish Parliament has also been able to pass its own laws to a limited extent. The referendum was implemented by the British Labor government under Tony Blair and resulted in changes in the administration and legislation of Scotland. One of the consequences was the creation of the post of First Minister as head of the regional government.

The term First Minister is used like that of the Prime Minister . It was chosen based on the designation of heads of government of formerly subordinate administrative units such as the provinces and territories of Canada , the provinces of South Africa or the states, territories and outer areas of Australia .

Prior to self-determination, duties comparable to those of the First Minister were carried out by the Scotland Minister , who heads the Scotland Office , a division of the enlarged British Government which has existed since 1885. The Scotland Minister remains a member of the British Cabinet . Des Browne filled the post mainly symbolically and was Secretary of Defense at the same time , while Jim Murphy was his successor only as Minister of Scotland. The current Scotland Minister has been Alister Jack since July 24, 2019 , his predecessor was David Mundell .

Election and term of office

The First Minister is elected by the Scottish Parliament, the appointment by the monarch of the United Kingdom. The First Minister must be appointed within 28 days of the Scottish Parliament's election. Otherwise Parliament will be dissolved under the Scotland Act and new elections will take place. The current first minister does not leave his post until the nominee first minister is appointed.

The term of office of the First Minister is not limited in time.

Previous officers

Surname Political party Beginning of the term of office Term expires Reason for the end of the term of office
Donald Dewar Scottish Labor Party May 17, 1999 October 11, 2000 died during his tenure
Jim Wallace Scottish Liberal Democrats October 11, 2000 October 27, 2000 interim
Henry McLeish Scottish Labor Party October 27, 2000 November 8, 2001 Resignation due to the Officegate affair
Jim Wallace Scottish Liberal Democrats November 8, 2001 November 27, 2001 interim
Jack McConnell Scottish Labor Party November 27, 2001 May 16, 2007 Lost in the 2007 Scottish general election
Alex Salmond Scottish National Party May 17, 2007 November 18, 2014 Resignation after failed independence referendum
Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party 20th November 2014 officiating

Deputy First Minister

Surname Political party Beginning of the term of office Term expires
Jim Wallace Scottish Liberal Democrats May 19, 1999 June 23, 2005
Nicol Stephen Scottish Liberal Democrats June 23, 2005 May 17, 2007
Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party May 17, 2007 19th November 2014
John Swinney Scottish National Party November 21, 2014 officiating

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Scottish Referendum Live - The Results. BBC News, accessed May 26, 2013 .
  2. ^ Scotland Act 1998. In: legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved January 4, 2021 .

Web links

See also