When will the new Scottish Parliament officially start?published at 12:19 BST
12:19 BST
Image source, PA MediaImage caption,
New MSPs will learn how to submit questions and table moions in the Holyrood chamber
There is also the far more serious matter of declaring
interests, including outside earnings such as ownership of rental properties.
The new MSPs will have to learn how to submit questions and
table motions for debate, and how to work the app used for voting on
parliamentary business.
They will be provided with information on what expenses they
are allowed to claim and how to set up their constituency office.
The traditional “Kirking of Parliament”, a church service to
mark the opening of parliament, will take place at St Giles Cathedral.
Then there is the business of selecting a new first minister.
The SNP is the largest party, so it almost certain that will
be John Swinney, but an official vote to confirm that is pencilled in for 19
May.
And finally, a new presiding officer will be selected in a secret
ballot of all 129 MSPs.
There is no app for that one, though. Instead, it is done
with traditional pen and paper so the new head of parliamentary business does
not know who did or did not support them.
Only after all of that can running the country for the next
five years officially get under way.