The Start of the New Scottish Parliamentary Session and Political Changes

May 14, 2026, 18:45
EuropePolitics

Introduction

The Scottish Parliament has officially started its new term after the recent elections. This process included the swearing-in of 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and the appointment of key officials to lead the house.

Main Body

The session began with MSPs taking their official oaths, which were delivered in several languages, including Gaelic, Mandarin, and British Sign Language. John Swinney, leader of the SNP, was the first to be sworn in. Although the SNP remains the largest party, its number of seats decreased from 64 to 58. Other party leaders, such as Malcolm Offord of Reform UK and Anas Sarwar of Scottish Labour, followed in alphabetical order. Meanwhile, some members of the Scottish Greens emphasized that the Scottish people, rather than the Crown, hold the ultimate power. To organize the parliament's governance, a Presiding Officer was elected. After three secret votes, Kenny Gibson (SNP) won the position with 74 votes. Mr. Gibson stated that he intends to modernize parliamentary rules and ensure that members maintain high standards of behavior. Additionally, Clare Adamson (SNP) and Katy Clark (Scottish Labour) were chosen as Deputy Presiding Officers. At the same time, there is a clear difference in stability between the governments in Edinburgh and London. First Minister Swinney described the Scottish Parliament as a stable environment, whereas he suggested that the UK Labour Government in London is currently volatile. This comes as reports emerge of instability within the Westminster government, including the resignation of Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Furthermore, two SNP members, Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins, resigned from the House of Commons to take roles in the Scottish Parliament, which has caused the need for by-elections in their former districts.

Conclusion

The Scottish Parliament has successfully started its new term. With the leadership now in place, the government is expected to focus on laws to help citizens with the rising cost of living.

Learning

🚀 The 'Contrast Bridge': Moving from A2 to B2

At the A2 level, you probably use 'but' for everything. To reach B2, you need to use Contrast Connectors to show a more sophisticated relationship between two ideas.

Look at this specific tension in the text:

*"First Minister Swinney described the Scottish Parliament as a stable environment, whereas he suggested that the UK Labour Government in London is currently volatile."

💡 Why this is a B2 move

Instead of saying "Scotland is stable but London is not," the author uses whereas. This word doesn't just show a difference; it balances two opposing facts in one elegant sentence. It transforms a simple observation into a professional analysis.

🛠️ The Toolset: Replacing 'But'

A2 Approach (Basic)B2 Upgrade (Advanced)Usage Note
... but ...Whereas / WhileUse these to compare two different subjects side-by-side.
... but ...Although / Even thoughUse these to show a surprising contrast within one idea.
... but ...HoweverUse this to start a new sentence after a full stop for a strong pause.

🔍 Analysis from the Article

  1. The 'Although' Shift: "Although the SNP remains the largest party, its number of seats decreased..." (B2 Logic: This acknowledges a fact first, then introduces a surprising opposite.)

  2. The 'Whereas' Balance: "...stable environment, whereas... volatile." (B2 Logic: This creates a mirror effect, comparing Edinburgh directly to London.)

⚡ Pro-Tip for Fluency

To sound like a B2 speaker, stop starting every contrasting sentence with "But." Try starting with "Although..." and see how your sentence structure immediately becomes more complex and academic.

Vocabulary Learning

swearing-in (n.)
the formal process of taking an oath of office
Example:The swearing-in ceremony lasted for an hour.
swearing-in
The formal ceremony where someone takes an oath of office.
Example:The swearing-in of the new mayor was held in the city hall.
presiding (adj.)
acting as the leader or chair of a meeting
Example:Presiding over the meeting, the chair explained the agenda.
appointment
The act of assigning someone to a job or position.
Example:Her appointment as chief financial officer was announced yesterday.
volatility (n.)
the quality of being unstable or prone to sudden change
Example:The volatility of the market made investors nervous.
governance
The way in which an organization is run or controlled.
Example:Effective governance is essential for a successful company.
resignation (n.)
the act of leaving a job or position voluntarily
Example:Her resignation surprised everyone in the company.
presiding
To lead or chair a meeting or session.
Example:The judge was presiding over the trial.
by-elections (n.)
an election held to fill a vacancy in a legislative body
Example:By-elections were held to fill the vacant seat.
secret votes
Votes that are conducted privately, without public disclosure.
Example:The committee used secret votes to decide on the new policy.
modernize (v.)
to update or bring into modern times
Example:The council plans to modernize the old building.
modernize
To update or bring something up to date.
Example:The council plans to modernize the library with new technology.
behavior (n.)
the way a person acts or conducts themselves
Example:Good behavior is expected at all public events.
behaviour
The way a person or animal acts or conducts themselves.
Example:Good behaviour in the classroom is encouraged.
ultimate (adj.)
being the final or most important
Example:The ultimate goal is to improve education.
deputy
A person who assists or acts as a substitute for a superior.
Example:The deputy mayor will represent the city when the mayor is away.
governance (n.)
the act of governing or the system of governing
Example:Effective governance requires transparency and accountability.
stability
The state of being steady and not changing suddenly.
Example:Economic stability helps attract investors.
leadership (n.)
the ability to lead or the position of leading
Example:Strong leadership can inspire a team to achieve more.
volatile
Likely to change rapidly and unpredictably.
Example:The stock market is volatile during election season.
district (n.)
a defined area or region, especially within a city or country
Example:The district has seen rapid growth in recent years.
resignation
The act of leaving a job or position.
Example:His resignation shocked the entire board.
role (n.)
a part or function performed by a person in a situation
Example:In this role, she will be responsible for marketing.
by-elections
Elections held to fill a vacancy that arises between general elections.
Example:The by-elections will take place next month.
environment (n.)
the surroundings or conditions in which something exists
Example:The environment in the office is very collaborative.
emerge (v.)
to become visible or known after being hidden or unknown
Example:After years of secrecy, the truth finally emerged.
official (adj.)
having the authority or recognized status within an organization or government
Example:The official policy was announced yesterday.