10 years of Scotland’s devolution

It took place at the Kirk’s General Assembly Hall in Edinburgh, just days after the elections that saw Labour and the Lib Dems form a coalition and Donald Dewar become First Minister.

The new MSPs all swore an oath or took a solemn affirmation, although socialist Tommy Sheridan and independent firebrand Dennis Canavan refused to pledge allegiance to the Queen.

Dr Winnie Ewing, as the oldest qualified member, made the opening speech, saying: “I want to begin with the words that I have always wanted either to say or to hear someone else say, ‘the Scottish Parliament, which adjourned on 25 March 1707, is hereby reconvened’.”

Since then, the Parliament has moved from that hall to the £431million building that draws tourists from around the world but is still unloved by many Scots.

It has been home to some of the country’s greatest politicians of modern times, though a handful of those who have held office have raised a few eyebrows over the years.

Speaking on the eve of the anniversary, First Minister Alex Salmond said he looked forward to the next 10 years.

He said: “Devolution has been a huge success, and I think most folk understand and realise that now.

“If there was another referendum tomorrow for the Parliament as it was in 1997 there would be a huge majority. There is no going back and the question is can we go forward?”

John Curtice, Professor of Politics at University of Strathclyde, said yesterday the Parliament had “tried to command the attention of the Scottish public” since it reconvened in 1999.

He added: “Much of it has been terribly worthy but rather dull, but there were occasionally dramatic events or days when what happened did impinge on the wider public.”

With the help of Prof Curtice, to celebrate the anniversary, the Scottish Sunday Express takes a look back at 10 of the most momentous days so far.

1. THE BEGINNING

July 1, 1999

The Queen officially opens the Parliament, praising the “grit, determination and humour” of the Scottish people. She presents a silver mace inlaid with a ‘wedding ring’ made from gold panned from the country’s rivers.

Thousands line the streets and the day ends with fireworks and celebrations. The SNP’s most famous supporter, Sir Sean Connery, turns up, although Prime Minister Tony Blair is away at the Northern Ireland peace talks.

THE EXPERT VIEW – Prof Curtice says: “We can look back and say that was quite a party – certainly a bigger party than when the new Holyrood building was opened a few years later.”

2. DEATH OF A LEADER

October 13, 2000

A meeting is convened following the death of First Minister Donald Dewar, from a brain haemorrhage possibly triggered by a fall outside Bute House.

Presiding Officer Sir David Steel tells a hushed chamber: “He questioned the title ‘father of the nation’, but he was without question the father of this Parliament.”

He says his old friend would not want a “greetin’ meeting” and tells several anecdotes, including one about Dewar’s joy at finding cream buns during a student visit to the Soviet Union in the 1950s.

THE EXPERT VIEW – Prof Curtice says: “It was the beginning of the process of the Scottish Parliament developing its own identity and political leadership.”

3. A NEW ERA?

May 16, 2007

Alex Salmond makes history as Scotland’s first ever Nationalist First Minister, days after the SNP defeats Labour by just one seat.

Mr Salmond had been elected as an MSP in 1999 but later stood down as party leader and then left to concentrate on Westminster. He returned to lead the SNP in 2004.

“I believe Scotland is ready for change, ready for reform,” he tells MSPs on the day. “We’re a small nation but we’ve got a big future.”

THE EXPERT VIEW – Prof Curtice says: “Why did Labour institute devolution in the first place? To derail the Nationalist bandwagon. Yet here we are eight years later with Alex Salmond leading an SNP Government.”

4. HOLYROOD HOME

October 9, 2004

The Queen returns to Edinburgh to open the spectacular new Parliament building, designed by Catalan Enric Moralles who did not live to see it completed.

The project was originally estimated at £10million-£40million but costs soared, leading former Presiding Officer George Reid to admit the five-year saga had “damaged Scottish self-confidence”.

MSPs and guests – including Sir Sean once again – link arms to sing Auld Lang Syne in the debating chamber.

5. OFFICEGATE

November 8, 2001

First Minister Henry McLeish announces his resignation following the ‘Officegate’ scandal, where he received £36,000 in rent for sub-letting his Glenrothes office.

Mr McLeish, who always insisted it had been a “muddle rather than fiddle”, was expected to mount a vigorous defence in this Tory-led debate after months of mounting criticism.

Instead he takes the nation by surprise and steps down, taking full responsibility for his “mistakes”. He says: “What has surprised and dismayed me has been how my family, friends, staff and colleagues have been brought into matters which are my responsibility alone – and how they have been made to suffer.”

6. TAXI FOR MCLETCHIE

October 31, 2005

Tory leader David McLetchie resigns over the furore surrounding his £11,500 taxi expenses over five years – more than any other MSP.

The details emerge after a freedom of information request confirmed suspicions he had claimed for taxi journeys between Holyrood and the Edinburgh law firm where he used to work.

He had been leader of the party since 1998 and declares he is stepping down with a “heavy heart”.

7. SMOKING BAN BORN

June 30, 2005

Of all the landmark laws introduced during the past decade – abolishing tuition fees, introducing free personal care for the elderly – the smoking ban was perhaps the biggest.

MSPs back the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill by 97 votes to 17, with only the Tories voting against – because they want theatre stages and tobacco shops to be exempt.

Despite predictions of boarded-up pubs, the ban is a success when it comes into force the following March, with England and Wales following in 2007. Last week, Jack McConnell revealed he still gets strangers coming up to say “thanks for the smoking ban”.

8. WENDY QUITS

June 26, 2008

The Holyrood Standards Committee recommends Labour leader Wendy Alexander be suspended for one day over an illegal £950 campaign donation.

She is the first party leader to be banned and resigns 48 hours later, only for the suspension to be overturned after the summer recess.

Her downfall follows a disastrous 12 months during which she executes two U-turns over a referendum, challenging the SNP to “bring it on”.

THE EXPERT VIEW – Prof Curtice says: “It is arguably important because SNP MSP Keith Brown (the committee convener) effectively scuppered his party’s chances of getting a Referendum Bill passed.”

9. BUDGET CRISIS

January 28, 2009

Alex Salmond puts the SNP on an “election footing” after his second Budget is voted down in dramatic and somewhat farcical circumstances.

The £33billion plans fall on the deciding vote of Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson after a 64-64 tie, with Labour and the Lib Dems calling for more spending to tackle the recession.

With Labour terrified of further losses at the polls if Mr Salmond had called a snap election, a revised Budget swiftly passes the following week.

10. A DIFFERENT SPECTRUM

May 15, 2003

The first sitting day of the ‘Rainbow Parliament’, as the single transferable vote system introduced in the 2003 elections returns seven Greens, six Scottish socialists and four independents.

Jack McConnell – nicknamed Jack the Knife for his perceived role in Mr McLeish’s downfall two years before – is re-elected as First Minister after agreeing a coalition deal with the Lib Dems.