The Presiding Officer starts the debate with two strikes of the gavel.

Today, Primary 6 gained insight into the workings of the Scottish Parliament from Mrs Miller, who works for the Scottish Parliament Outreach Programme. They learnt about Scotland’s regions and constituencies, how to vote, what the Parliament had control over, what MSP’s did, what the Presiding Officer does and how decisions are made in the Debating Chamber.

After listening to Mrs Miller and using the ‘clickpads’ to give their answers to an interactive quiz, it was time to become candidates for an election. In groups, they formed political parties – Save the Earth, Music, Computer, Animal Welfare, School and Sports. Each group had to come up with a Manifesto which was then delivered by each party leader to the class. Votes were then cast on  Ballot papers, counted and the winning party announced.

There was also the opportunity for a debate, just like the MSP’s do in Edinburgh when they want to make changes to things like Education, Transport, Farming or Health. Todays motion for debate was ‘Should smoking be banned?’ The newly elected MSP’s discussed their ideas and then under the watch of the Presiding Officer gave their opinions. Everyone voted and the motion was passed – this meant it would become law and signed by Her Majesty the Queen.