Confidence motions in the Scottish Parliament

In the Scottish Parliament, confidence motions can be lodged against any member of the Scottish Government, or the government as a whole. These motions give the opportunity for the legislature to express its confidence, or lack thereof, in the executive and require the backing of at least 25 MSPs in order to be voted on. In the lifetime of the Parliament, nine such votes have taken place, none of which have been successful.

If a motion of no confidence in the whole Scottish Government is successful then, under the Scotland Act 1998, Scottish ministers are compelled to resign. The Parliament would then have 28 days to nominate a replacement First Minister before a Holyrood election could be called. However, while politically difficult, an individual minister losing a confidence vote would not be required to resign.