Holyrood ‘needs spirit of devolution’

Holyrood must look to recapture the radical spirit of devolution 20 years ago, according to Richard Leonard.

Speaking two decades after the first elections to the Scottish Parliament, Mr Leonard said the parliament had too often been distracted by questions on the constitution.

“Labour delivered a Scottish Parliament, and the next Scottish Labour government will implement the most radical economic and social agenda in the history of devolution,” the Scottish Labour leader said.

“T h e e a r l y y e a r s o f d e vo - lution saw real action from Labour on land reform, scrapping tuition fees, introducing the smoking ban and the free bus pass.

“Recent years have seen great strides in equalities legislation like equal marriage. But too often in recent years the parliament has been distracted by constitutional debate rather than real action on the issues people care about, like jobs, schools and hospitals.

“Meanwhile the use of the new powers over tax and social security have been far too timid.”

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford accused Labour and the Conservatives of“failing to stand up for devolution” and said “the Westminster system has failed Scotland”.