Queen opens new term at Holyrood

1 July 2011 Last updated at 12:57 GMT The Queen officially marked the fourth session of the Scottish Parliament

The Queen has performed the official opening of the fourth session of the Scottish Parliament, saying Holyrood had become integral to public life.

Her speech came as part of a day of events to celebrate the occasion.

It was the Queen's first visit to parliament since the SNP's landslide election win in May.

First Minister Alex Salmond said Scotland and the Queen would remain "firm friends", whatever the outcome of his planned independence referendum.

Delivering her speech to politicians and dignitaries in the parliament's main chamber, the Queen, who was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, said: "No-one would ever argue that Scottish politics is the business of the meek, the passive or the faint-hearted."

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As we arrived in glorious sunshine on the Royal Mile this morning, the crowds began to gather around the Scottish Parliament's main entrance.

The Queen - wearing a turquoise hat and suit - left the palace with the Duke of Edinburgh, making the short car ride to the Queensbury House entrance of the Scottish Parliament.

Among those outside were some excited, but extremely well behaved, pupils from Royal Mile Primary School.

Six-year-old Aaron Ritchie presented a beautiful posy of cream roses to the Queen.

He told me how he had practised what he would say: "Good morning your majesty."

I met Aaron afterwards and he told me the Queen had said "thank you" to him.

Then came "the riding", where about 2,000 people from all walks of Scottish life processed down the Royal Mile.

They marched under the banners wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity - the words inscribed on the Scottish Parliament mace.

It was colourful and very noisy.

Five-year-old Sarah from Windygates, in Fife, was waiting to see her granddad who had been nominated as a local hero.

She told me how proud she was of him.

And after the riding, everyone headed off for a party in the park outside the parliament.

It was a fun, family atmosphere - a lovely day in the sunshine.

She told the chamber: "Now, in its second decade, the Scottish Parliament is firmly established as an integral part of Scottish public life.

"The maturity of the legislation passed in this chamber and the well-tested processes giving rise to it are evidence of the Scottish Parliament having truly come of age. This is an achievement of which all members, past and present, should be proud."

In a message to MSPs, she added: "To the new and returning members of the Scottish Parliament, I offer the observation that, in return for the authority placed upon you, a very great deal is asked of Scotland's elected politicians, perhaps as much now as ever before.

"As a close observer of every stage of this parliament's life, I remain confident that you will manage to discharge your duty diligently and competently, and serve the interests of the people of Scotland to the best of your ability."

In his address, Mr Salmond praised the Queen's role as "the firmest of friends" to the Scottish Parliament, while expressing his aspiration for Scotland to grow further as a nation.

"This is a country increasingly comfortable in its own skin," said the first minister.

"There is much we share, that is a given, but the nations of these islands are also distinctive, with our own unique history and culture, our own economic challenges and opportunities.

"Some of us believe the best way to articulate that uniqueness and tackle those challenges lies within ourselves - and should be fully expressed through the work of this parliament."

Mr Salmond quoted back to the Queen words she used in her recent state visit to Ireland, describing links between "firm friends and equal partners".

In a reference to the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence, the first minister added: "However, whatever constitutional path the people of Scotland choose - and it is their choice to make - we will aspire to be, in your words, 'firm friends and equal partners'."

From Democracy Live: Full Holyrood chamber coverage of the Royal opening

The first minister also noted that, during the previous Scottish parliament before the Act of Union in 1707, the Queen's predecessors had "reigned over two sovereign nations - though there was nothing particularly unusual in that arrangement".

As well as speeches in the main chamber, guests and MSPs heard a performance of Robert Burns' "Now Westlin Winds" by award-winning folk singer Karine Polwart, and the reading of a specially-written poem by Scots Makar Liz Lochhead, entitled "Opening the Doors Again!".

Also making a speech, the Scottish Parliament's new presiding officer, Tricia Marwick, welcomed the Queen, while warning that the years ahead would not be easy.

"The people of Scotland are experiencing a time where their incomes and lifestyles have felt the full effects of the difficult economic period through which we have all been living," she said.

"And, during the times ahead, people will, quite rightly look to this parliament for leadership."

Events inside the parliament were followed by the traditional Riding event - a procession down the Royal Mile to the parliament intended to symbolise the parliament's connection with the people of Scotland - featuring 1,500 politicians, performers, members of the public and "local heroes" nominated by MSPs.

There was also an afternoon of free entertainment at Holyrood, featuring choirs, orchestras, and contemporary bands, including Crayons and French Wives.

The Scottish Parliament has now gone into recess until September.

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Call made for reforms at Holyrood

11 June 2011 Last updated at 23:15 GMT The Scottish Parliament Business secretary has called for reforms of the parliament Reforms are needed to ensure Holyrood is more open, responsive and in tune with the public, the parliamentary business secretary has said.

Bruce Crawford has called for a review to raise standards at the Scottish Parliament.

He also said that there should be greater scrutiny of legislation and engagement with the public.

Labour welcomed the moves, but criticised the SNP's dominance of committees.

Mr Crawford said that while structural and procedural changes were needed, any reforms needed to go further.

He highlighted several potential areas for improvement, including:

Ensuring quicker responses to public concernsGreater pre- and post-legislative scrutinyMore focussed committee inquiriesEncouraging committees to bring forward their own billsChanging the chamber sitting timesMore flexible rules on contributions from backbenchers

Mr Crawford said: "Scotland's legislature is founded on a distinctive and progressive vision - one in which the government, the parliament and the people work in partnership to shape our nation's destiny and deliver the policies Scotland needs.

"Holding the government to account may seem more relevant now that there is a majority government but this is not the first time such a majority has held sway across parliament - the first eight years were dominated by a coalition which also held a majority of committee conveners and members.

"I have already taken steps to ensure the smaller parties have committee places and that the Liberal Democrats are represented on the Parliamentary Bureau. But we need to go further."

Labour Business Manager Paul Martin said the parliament was never designed for majority rule, so attempts to introduce more checks and balances were welcome.

He added: "But these suggested reforms don't change the fact that by dominating every committee and then electing one of their own as presiding officer the SNP are already acting as judge, jury and executioner.

"Labour will engage positively with this process to ensure the parliament lives up to the expectations of the people of Scotland and will bring forward its own proposals to make the parliament more accountable."

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Holyrood v Westminster

19 May 2011 Last updated at 14:56 GMT By Ross Hawkins Political correspondent, BBC News Alex Salmond's SNP says the Scotland should have more influence in Europe Could Scotland's first minister spark a constitutional crisis long before any referendum on independence, as he battles for more powers in the Scotland Bill?

Alex Salmond wants more powers for Scotland and he could derail a Westminster bill in his fight to get them.

The nationalist first minister wants legislation going through the House of Commons changed to give him more control.

But unlike most people arguing with UK ministers Mr Salmond has a secret weapon: he can bring their legislation to a halt.

That would spark a battle over whether ministers in London or Edinburgh are masters of Britain's constitution.

As it stands, the Scotland Bill would give Holyrood the power from 2015 to set a Scottish income tax rate each year, to raise some 35% of the revenue it spends and to introduce new Scotland-specific taxes if the Westminster Parliament agrees.

Mr Salmond, though, wants more.

'Biggest mandate'

He has long said the bill should be amended to give Scotland control of corporation tax, revenues from the Crown Estate in the nation and to bring forward new capital-borrowing powers.

After his election as first minister Mr Salmond added three more demands to that list: control of alcohol duties, more say over broadcasting and more influence in Europe.

Negotiations between the Scottish Executive and Westminster government are under way

Speaking for the UK government, the Lib Dem Scotland Secretary Michael Moore suggested they might all be rejected.

He said: "We will listen to any detailed arguments that are put forward to us. But excise duties are things that we believe are best placed at a United Kingdom level. Broadcasting we also believe should be a UK-wide responsibility."

He added that the UK government had a good record of allowing Scottish and other ministers to appear alongside UK ministers in European councils, "remembering Britain is the member state, not the individual parts of Britain".

Ace card

But after its performance in this month's elections, the SNP is in confident mood.

One of its MPs, Angus MacNeil, says the party's majority in the Scottish Parliament gives it "the biggest political mandate of any government in the British Isles".

It also has an ace card up its sleeve.

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The idea Holyrood gets a say in some Westminster legislation dates back to the act that established the Scottish Parliament.

Westminster seeks the consent of MSPs if a UK government bill proposes to change the law in areas devolved to Scotland, or to alter the powers of the Scottish Parliament or goverment.

The Welsh Assembly voted against allowing police and crime panels in Wales, when a similar motion was debated there earlier this year.

The Scottish Parliament, which the SNP controls, will vote on the Scotland Bill before it completes its passage through the House of Lords, probably by the end of the year.

It can do that because of a convention that means a "legislative consent motion" will be discussed by a committee of MSPs before being voted on by the whole Scottish Parliament.

Were Holyrood to refuse its consent, the Scotland Bill would be formally rejected by the Scottish Parliament. UK ministers would have to decide whether to push it through against the wishes of MSPs - something considered unlikely - or see their legislation fall at Mr Salmond's hands.

Constitutional crisis

It might be difficult for a nationalist leader to explain why he was refusing more power. But it would also be challenging for a UK minister to explain how he had lost his bill to opposition in another parliament.

Both sides insist they do not want their negotiations to end like that.

Mr Moore said: "I'm not rushing to have some kind of constitutional crisis set out from day one because I think it's important that we continue the discussions that we've frankly been having for the past year and will continue to have."

He points out the Scotland Bill already grants the Scottish Parliament substantial new powers.

The UK government has asked for more detail on the SNP's requests, but has only offered clear indications of support for one: bringing forward capital borrowing powers.

Asked whether the SNP would seek to veto the bill if it cannot get more, Mr MacNeil said: "There are various ways of ensuring movement will take place."

He added: "I would rather not have to cross that bridge. I'm fairly certain we won't have to cross that bridge. I'm sure wiser counsel will ultimately prevail and I hope it does."

Independence referendum

Negotiations have already begun between Mr Moore and Mr Salmond.

They are conducted, of course, in anticipation of the independence referendum promised by the SNP, which may prompt even more profound debates about control of the constitution.

The current bill does not deal with the prospect of a referendum, and Mr Moore will not guarantee that if Scotland does vote yes to independence the Westminster government will consent to its breaking away from the UK.

He said: "I'm not getting into speculation about what we might do in the future on the basis of various hypothetical outcomes."

With under a third of Scottish voters backing independence, the SNP has to convince a nation and not just the Westminster government of the case for independence.

But the tussle between the UK and Scottish government could play a vital role in that debate.

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