Look back for clues on the way forward
When hope, optimism and belief in a new way of politics won the day
THE referendum in 1997 that paved the way for the creation of a Scottish Parliament was the second time Scots had voted in favour of devolution.
In a poll in 1979, a slim majority backed the establishment of a Scottish assembly.
But legislation meant the assembly had to win the backing of 40 per cent of Scotland’s total electorate.
A turnout of 64 per cent meant only 32.9 of registered voters were in favour so it wasn’t enough.
When the Conservatives were swept out of power by Tony Blair’s landslide Labour victory in 1997, one of the first acts of the new prime minister was to hold a fresh referendum on devolution.
There were two questions on the ballot paper – should there be a Scottish parliament? And should it have tax-varying powers?
The SNP, Labour, Lib Dems and Scottish Greens all campaigned for a Yes Yes vote. The Tories opposed both proposals.
The official No campaign, Think Twice, was headed by Brian Monteith, a former employee of the then Scottish Conservative MP, Michael Forsyth.
It was a decisive victory for the Yes Yes camp – 74.29 per cent of those who voted backed the creation of a parliament and 63.48 per cent supported tax-varying powers.
The first election to the devolved Scottish Parliament took place on May 6, 1999.
Following the election, the Labour Party and the Lib Dems formed the Scottish Executive, with Labour’s Donald Dewar becoming First Minister.
Scottish Labour’s acting leader Alex Rowley said yesterday: “Twenty years ago, Labour delivered a Scottish Parliament. We now take Holyrood for granted, but it was only delivered by a Labour government.
“The early years of devolution saw a Labour-led Scottish government introduce the smoking ban, the free bus pass as well as free personal care, the abolition of tuition fees alongside rising levels of investment in public services.
“Holyrood must return to the sense of hope, optimism and progress that defined the 1997 referendum and the early years of devolution.
“We need to leave the division of the past decade behind and build for the future.
“It falls on all parties to look at how we use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to make Scotland a fairer country for the many built on the principles of fairness and justice.”
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: “The 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament provides an opportunity to look back on what has been achieved in the last two decades.
“But we should also take the chance to talk about what we want to change over the next 20 years.
“The top priority over the coming years must be a vast improvement in our educational standing to get Scotland back amongst the best in the world.”