People’s lives’
2007 election to take more action on education, which he said would have become his government’s number one priority.
He said: “I would have liked to have more time as First Minister to make more changes.
“We were getting to the stage in 2007 of bringing up the education system to compete with the best in the world again.”
Lord Mcconnell said his party had plans to raise standards at the top of education and help those who were struggling.
“I regret the fact I didn’t have the chance after 2007 to take that further,” he said.
While Lord Mcconnell praised the work of the Scottish Parliament in the past 20 years, he stressed more could be done.
He said: “There are areas that still need attention.
“I don’t think that either the Scottish Parliament or the UK Parliament has really tackled the big challenge in the Scottish economy since the decline of the banks in 2008- 9. In terms of economic policy, in Edinburgh and London there needs more to be more debate on that.
“Education is slipping back and we need more attention there.
“The area that 20 years on we need to give most attention to is how to revitalise our democracy.
“I think in the Scottish Parliament we need to look to improving what we created, not just being complacent about it.”
He called for stronger local government in Scotland, more accountability from MSPS – with less party loyalty and more engagement for the benefit of constituents.
Lord Mcconnell also urged reform at Westminster, scrapping secretaries of state for the UK nations, replacing the House of Lords with a senate of the nations and regions and reducing the dominance of London.
Asked what Holyrood might look like by 2039, he said: “I hope that Holyrood is a bit less party political and a bit more open and engaged with Scotland outside of politicians.
“I hope that local government is stronger and in a much better place, raising more money of its own and having more powers.
“Most of all I hope the UK government has changed and reflects the UK since devolution, rather than before.”