 | 'The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25 th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened.' Dr Winnie Ewing, Acting Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, 12 th May 1999. |  |
| 'The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25 th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened.' Dr Winnie Ewing, Acting Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, 12 th May 1999. | |
The Referedums (Scotland and Wales) bill is published.
Labour Health Minister Frank Dobson MP announces that sponsorship of sports by tobacco companies is to be banned. In November, Formula One racing is made exempt. It is later revealed that Formula One boss Bernie Eccleston had donated £1 million to the Labour party before the general election.
UK Conservative leadership election, first ballot. Rt Hon Kenneth Clark MP 49, Rt Hon William Hague MP 41, Rt Hon John Redwood MP 27, Rt Hon Peter Lilley MP 24, Rt Hon Michael Howard MP 23. A second ballot is held on the 17 th.
UK Conservative leadership election, second ballot. Rt Hon Kenneth Clark MP 64, Rt Hon William Hague MP 62, Rt Hon John Redwood MP 38. A third ballot is held on the 19 th.
The Liberal Democrats gain the Upper Ythan ward of Argyll & Bute Council from an Independent.
UK Conservative leadership election, third ballot. Rt Hon William Hague MP 92, Rt Hon Kenneth Clark MP 70. William Hague becomes Conservative leader.
An Independent gains the Beauly ward of Highland Council from the Scottish National Party.
Mohammad Sarwar MP (Labour, Glasgow Govan) has the Labour whip withdrawn and sits a an Independent.
A devolution White Paper entitled 'Scotland's Parliament' is published.
Death of Gordon James McMaster MP (Labour, Paisley, South).
Referedums (Scotland and Wales) Act receives Royal Assent.
An Independent gains the Claggan & Glen Spean ward of Highland Council from the Scottish National Party.
The devolution White Paper estimates that the cost to build a new Scottish parliament will be between £10 million and £40 million.
Devolution referendum. On the 700 th anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and two hundred and ninety years after the Scottish Parliament had been adjourned, the Scottish people vote overwhelmingly in a referendum to set up a Scottish Parliament with tax-raising powers. For a Scottish Parliament 74.3 %, against 25.7 %. For tax-varying powers 63.5 %, against 36.5 %.
The Conservatives gain the Troon West ward of South Ayrshire Council from Labour.
Paisley South by-election. Douglas Garven Alexander holds the seat for Labour with a majority of 2,731 over the Scottish National Party's Ian Blackford. Labour - 13.4 %, Scottish National Party + 9.1 %, LibDem + 1.6 %, Conservatives - 1.7 %.
The Scottish National Party gains the Rosyth West & Dockyard ward of Fife Council from Labour.
The Liberal Democrats gain the Hilton ward of Highland Council from Labour.
Resignation of Malcolm Chisholm MP (Labour, Edinburgh North & Leith) as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scottish Office over proposed cuts in benefits to single parents.
The 'Scotland bill' is published.
Secretary of State for Scotland the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP (Labour, Glasgow Anniesland) announces that the new Scottish Parliament is to be sited at Holyrood. It had been expected that the parliament would be sited at Calton Hill, or failing that, beside the new Scottish Office at Leith waterfront.
The membership of a panel to select the design team for the Scottish Parliament building was announced as the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP /Labour, Glasgow Anniesland), Secretary of State for Scotland, Joan O'Connor, an architect, and former President of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Professor Andy McMillan, formerly Director of the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Kirsty Wark the BBC presenter, John Gibbons, Chief Architect at the Scottish Office, and Robert Gordon, Head of Scottish Office Constitution Group.
A Consultative Steering Group for the Scottish parliament is set up in order that standing orders can be drafted.
The Scottish National Party gains the Garrowhill ward of City of Glasgow Council from Labour.
A competition to design the new Scottish Parliament is launched.
The Conservatives gain the Kintore ward of Aberdeenshire Council from an Independent.
Death of Robert Douglas McIntyre, MB, ChB, DPH, DUniv, JP, Scottish National Party MP for Motherwell in 1945.
The Liberal Democrats gain the Garthdee ward of Aberdeenshire Council from Labour.
The Scottish National Party gains the Kilmaurs, Fenwick & Waterside ward of East Ayrshire Council from Labour.
A shortlist of 12 design teams for the new Scottish parliament are selected from 70 expressions of interest by the panel headed by Donald Dewar.
The American Senate resolves to designate the 6 th of April each year as Tartan Day to commemorate the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, which was the model for the American Declaration of Independence.
An Independent gains the Eyemouth Landward ward of Scottish Borders Council from the Liberal Democrats.
After being interviewed by a panel chaired by Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP (Labour, Glasgow Anniesland) a short list of five teams were selected to produce plans for a new Scottish parliament building. The teams are:
Glass Murray Architects/Denton Corker Marshall International (Glasgow/ Melbourne)
Richard Meier & Partners/ Keppie Design Associated Architects (New York/ Glasgow)
Enric Miralles y Moya (Barcelona)
Rafael Vinoly Architects (New York)
Michael Wilford and Partners (London)
The Scottish National Party gains the Condorrat North/Westfield & Smithstone ward of North Lanarkshire Council from Labour.
The Conservatives gain the Dunblane West ward of Stirling Council from Labour.
In an Edinburgh Evening News phone poll, the Miralles' architectural design for a new Scottish parliament takes fifth and last place. The Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP (Labour, Glasgow Anniesland) once again flies in the face of public opinion when his panel chooses Enric Miralles of Barcelona to design the new Scottish parliament.
The estimated cost for the Mirales design is £55 million pounds, well above the original estimate of £10 million to £ 40 million.
The Scottish National Party gains the Carmichael ward of South Lanarkshire Council from Labour.
Death of Scottish National Party deputy leader, Dr Allan Macartney MEP (Scottish National Party, North East Scotland).
The Scottish National Party gains the Condorrat North/Westfield & Smithstone ward of North Lanarkshire Council from Labour.
Thomas Graham MP (Labour, West Renfrewshire) is expelled from the Labour Party.
The Scotland Act is given Royal Assent.
An ICM opinion poll in the Scotsman suggests the Scottish National Party lead over Labour in the North East Scotland Euro seat could be cut to just 4 %, compared to 15 % in 2004.
Cllr Ian Hudghton holds the European parliamentary seat of North East Scotland for the Scottish National Party following the death of Dr Allan Macartney MEP who won the seat from Labour in 1994. Ian Hudghton obtains a 33,701 majority (28.2 %) over Conservative Struan Stevenson, with Labour falling to third place with just 18.5 % of the vote. Scottish National Party + 5.6 %, Conservative + 1.7 %, Labour - 9.9 %, Liberal Democrat + 1.5 %, SSP + 1.8 %, Greens + 0.6 %.
The Scottish National Party gains the Kildrum & Park ward of North Lanarkshire Council from Labour.
Bovis Lend Lease are appointed as Construction Managers for the Scottish parliament project.
The Consultative Steering Group for the Scottish Parliament publish their recommendations.
Jimmy Allison, former Scottish Labour organiser, resigns as secretary of Paisley South Constituency Labour Party.
Dennis Canavan (Labour MP for Falkirk West) submits nomination papers to stand as an Independent in the Scottish Parliamentary election in May following his rejection as a Labour candidate despite the overwhelming support of his local party. This results in his automatic expulsion from the Labour party. Canavan had been told he was "not good enough" following an interview by Ernie Ross MP (Dundee West) a member of Rosemary McKenna MP's notorious selection committee. In May, Dennis Canavan goes on to win the largest majority in the Scottish parliament, beating the official Labour candidate in Falkirk West by 12,192 votes.
The suspension of Mohammad Sarwar MP (Independent, Glasgow Govan) is lifted at a meeting with Labour officials in Glasgow.
Mohammad Sarwar MP (Independent, Glasgow Govan) has the Labour whip formally restored at a meeting with Labour Chief Whip Ann Taylor MP.
The first elections are held to the devolved Scottish parliament. 129 seats (73 constituencies and 56 regional list seats) are contested using the D'Hondt form of proportional representation. Number of seats won Labour 56 (53 constituencies + 3 regional seats), Scottish National Party 35 (7 + 28), Conservatives 18 (0 + 18), Lib Dems 17 (12 + 5), Greens 1 (0 + 1), SSP 1 (0 + 1), Independent (Canavan) 1 (1 + 0).
% of Constituency vote: Labour 38.8 %, Scottish National Party 28.7 %, Conservatives 15.6 %, Lib Dems 14.2 %, SSP 1.0 %, Independent (Canavan) 0.8 %, others 0.9 %.
% of Regional vote: Labour 33.6 %, Scottish National Party 27.3 %, Conservatives 15.4 %, Lib Dems 12.4 %, Greens 3.6 %, SSP 2.0 %, Independent (Canavan) 1.2 %, others 4.5 %.
The first meeting of the devolved Scottish parliament: Dr Winifred Ewing MSP, acting Presiding Officer and Mother of the Scottish Parliament utters the historic words 'The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25 th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened.'
Lord Steel of Aikwood (Liberal Democrat MSP for the Lothians) is elected as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament by 82 votes against 44 for George Reid (Scottish National Party MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife). Patricia Fergusion (Labour MSP for Glasgow Maryhill) and George Reid (Scottish National Party MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) are elected as Deputy Presiding Officers.
Election of the first First Minister of the devolved Scottish Parliament. Donald Dewar (Labour MP and MSP for Glasgow Anniesland) 71 votes, Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party MP and MSP for Banff & Buchan) 35 votes, David McLetchie (Conservative MSP for the Lothians) 17 votes, Dennis Canavan (Independent MSP for Falkirk West) three votes. Donald Dewar is therefore elected as First Minister.
Donald Dewar (Labour MP and MSP for Glasgow Anniesland) is given a Royal Warrant of appointment by Queen Elizabeth of Scots at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Scottish Executive ministers: First Minister and Custodian of the Great Seal of
Scotland Rt Hon Donald Dewar (Labour MP & MSP for Glasgow Anniesland), Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice, Rt Hon James Wallace QC (LibDem MSP for Orkney & Shetland), Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Henry McLeish (Labour MP & MSP for Central Fife), Minister for Children & Education Dr Sam Galbraith (Labour MP & MSP for Strathkelvin & Bearsden), Minister for Finance Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw), Minister for Health & Community Care Susan Deacon (Labour MSP for Edinburgh East & Musselburgh), Minister for Social Inclusion, Local Government & Housing Wendy Alexander (Labour MSP for Paisley North), Minister for Transport Sarah Boyack (Labour MSP for Edinburgh Central), Minister for Rural Affairs Ross Finnie (LibDem MSP for West of Scotland), Minister for Parliament, Business Manager & Chief Whip Tom McCabe (Labour MSP for Hamilton South), Lord Advocate Lord Hardie QC.
Alex Rowley resigns as General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party.
Responsibility for the Scottish parliament construction project is transferred from the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, headed by the Presiding Officer, Lord Steel of Aikwood.
Fifth direct elections to the European Parliament. Scotland is contested as a single eight member constituency with seats awarded according to the d'Hondt system. MEPs elected in Scotland: three Labour, two Scottish National Party, two Conservatives, one LibDem. % of vote: Labour 28.7 %, Scottish National Party 27.2 %, Conservative 19.8 %, SLD 9.8 % Greens 5.8 %, SSP 4.0 %.
The Scottish Parliament debates the new parliament construction project. Donald Dewar informs the parliament that the estimated costs are £109 million, including VAT, fees and fit-out.
The Scottish parliament, in temporary accomodation in the Church of Scotland Assemby Hall in Edinburgh, assumes its powers when it is officially opened by the Queen of Scots in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Rothesay and the Scots Crown.
Ernie Ross (Labour MP for Dundee West) is suspended from the House of Commons for ten days for disclosing a Foreign Affairs Select Committee draft report to the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Robin Cook.
Charles Kennedy (Lib Dem MP for Ross, Skye & Inverness West) becomes leader of the Lib Dems after polling 56.6 % compared to 43.4 % for Simon Hughes after second, third and fourth choices are counted.
The Rt Hon George Islay Macneill Robertson (Labour MP for Hamilton South) resigns his seat upon receiving a life peerage as Lord Robertson of Port Ellen. Lord Robertson is later appointed as Secretary General of NATO.
The Conservatives gain the Elie, St. Monans & Pittenweem ward of Fife Council from an Independent.
A snap Hamilton South by-election is held, exceptionally, during the parliamentary recess and in the middle of the Scottish National Party Conference. Bill Tynan holds the seat for Labour after a recount with a majority of 556 over Annabelle Ewing, later MP for Perth, the daughter of Winifred Ewing who won Hamilton from Labour in 1967. Labour - 28.7 %, Scottish National Party +16.4 %, SSP (+ 9.5 %), Conservatives - 1.4 %, Hamilton Accies (+ 5.5 %), Lib Dems - 1.9 %.
John Rafferty is sacked as chief of staff to the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MSP MP (Labour, Glasgow Annieland), First Minister of Scotland after allegedly misleading the media that death threats had made to Health Minister Susan Deacon MSP (Labour, Edinburgh East &, Musselburgh).
Ian Welsh (Labour MSP for Ayr) resigns his seat after 230 days as an MSP.
Philip Chalmers resigns as a leading advisor to the Rt Hon Donald Dewar MSP MP (Labour, Glasgow Annieland), First Minister of Scotland after allegedly being stopped by police in Glasgow's red-light district.
Lord Hardie resigns as Lord Advocate. Solicitor General Colin Boyd QC is appointed Lord Advocate is his place and Neil Davidson QC is appointed Solicitor General.
The Scottish Parliament's Corporate Body commissions an investigation into the Holyrood project by architect John Spencely.
Ayr by-election. John Scott gains the seat for the Conservatives with a majority of 3,344 over the Scottish National Party's Jim Mather, later Scottish National Party MSP for the Highlands & Islands. Conservatives + 1.4 %, Scottish National Party + 9.5 %, Labour - 16.0 %, SSP (+ 4.2 %), LibDem - 1.9 %, Greens (+ 1.4 %). John Scott holds the seat for the Conservatives at the Scottish general election in May 2003.
An Independent gains the Manor Park ward of Western Isles Council from Labour.
The Conservatives gain the Highland ward of Stirling Council from the Scottish National Party.
The Scottish National Party gains the Delph & Cambus ward of Clackmannanshire Council from Labour.
The Scottish National Party gains overall control of Clackmannanshire council.
Almost three years after the devolution referendum, construction work finally starts on the new Scottish parliament building at Holyrood.
Labour gains the Crown ward of Highland Council from the Liberal Democrats.
The Scottish National Party gains the Musselburgh East ward of East Lothian Council from Labour.
Enric Miralles, the architect of the ill.fated Scottish parliament project, dies.
Alex Salmond MSP MP (Scottish National Party, Banff & Buchan) announces that he will be standing down as SNP leader in September.
An Independent gains the Badenock West ward of Highland Council from the Liberal Democrats.
The Scottish National Party gains the Logie ward of City of Dundee council from Labour.
The Liberal Democrats gain ward 13 of Inverclyde Council from Labour.
Labour lose overall control of Inverclyde council.
Scottish National Party leadership contest. John Swinney (MP and MSP for Tayside North) elected with 547 votes (67.6 %) against Alex Neil (MSP for Central Scotland) 262 votes (32.4 %).
Deputy leadership contest Roseanna Cunningham (MP and MSP for Perth) elected with 391 votes (48.2 %) against Kenny Mcaskill (MSP for the Lothians) 312 votes (38.5 %) and Peter Kearney 108 votes (13.3 %).
Death of Rt Hon Donald Campbell Dewar, First Minister of Scotland (Labour MP for Aberdeen South 1966 - 1970, MP for Glasgow Garscadden 1978 - 1997, MP for Glasgow Anniesland 1997 - 2000 and MSP for Glasgow Anniesland 1999 - 2000).
The Scottish National Party gains the South Parks & Macedonia ward of Fife Council from Labour.
Scottish Labour leadership contest. Henry McLeish (MP & MSP for Central Fife) 44 votes (55 %), Jack McConnell (MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw) 36 votes (45 %). Henry McLeish becomes leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
Michael John Martin (Labour MP for Glasgow Springburn) is elected Speaker of the House of Commons. He is the first Catholic MP to be elected Speaker.
Election of the second First Minister of the devolved Scottish Parliament. Henry McLeish (Labour MP and MSP for Central Fife) 68 votes, John Swinney (MP and MSP for Tayside North) 33 votes, David McLetchie (Conservative MSP for the Lothians) 19 votes, Dennis Canavan (Independent MSP for Falkirk West) 3 votes. Henry McLeish is therefore elected as First Minister.
Henry McLeish (Labour MP and MSP for Central Fife) is sworn in as First Minister and is given a Royal Warrant of appointment by Queen Elizabeth of Scots at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Scottish Executive ministers: First Minister and Custodian of the Great Seal of Scotland Rt Hon Henry McLeish (Labour MP & MSP for Central Fife), Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice, Rt Hon James Wallace QC (LibDem MSP for Orkney & Shetland), Minister for Education, Europe & External Affairs Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw), Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Wendy Alexander (Labour MSP for Paisley North), Minister for the Environment Dr Sam Galbraith (Labour MP & MSP for Strathkelvin & Bearsden), Minister for Finance & Local Government Angus MacKay (Labour MSP for Edinburgh South), Minister for Health & Community Care Susan Deacon (Labour MSP for Edinburgh East & Musselburgh), Minister for Parliament, Business Manager & Chief Whip Tom McCabe (Labour MSP for Hamilton South), Minister for Rural Development Ross Finnie (LibDem MSP for West of Scotland), Minister for Social Justice Jackie Baillie (Labour MSP for Dumbarton), Minister for Transport Sarah Boyack (Labour MSP for Edinburgh Central), Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC.
Death of Cllr Joseph McKinney (Labour, Irvine North, North Ayrshire).
Resignation of Dennis Canavan (Independent MP for Falkirk West) as MP for Falkirk West in the Westminster Parliament.
Glasgow Anniesland by-elections. At Westminster John Robertson holds the seat for Labour with a majority of 6,337 over the Scottish National Party's Grant Thoms. Labour - 9.7 %, Scottish National Party + 3.7 %, Conservatives - 0.6 %, LibDem + 0.8 %, SSP (+ 6.5 %).
At Holyrood, Bill Butler holds the seat for Labour with a majority of 5,376 over the Scottish National Party's Tom Chalmers. Labour - 10.1 %, Scottish National Party + 1.9 %, Conservative - 0.1 %, SSP + 2.6 %, LibDem + 0.5 %, Greens (+ 3.3 %), SLP + 1.0 %.
A report published by the Scottish Parliament's Audit Committee is highly critical of the management of the Holyrood project.
Falkirk West by- election. Major Eric Joyce holds the seat for Labour with a majority of 705 over the Scottish National Party's David Kerr. Labour - 15.8 %, Scottish National Party + 16.5 %, Conservative - 3.8 %, SSP (+ 5.1 %) LibDem - 0.7 %.
An Independent gains the Kirn & Hunter's Quay ward of Argyll & Bute council from the Scottish National Party.
The Scottish National Party gains the Kinneil & Whitecross ward of Falkirk Council from Labour.
The Scottish National Party gains the Stonehouse ward of South Lanarkshire Council from Labour.
Tavish Scott (LibDem MSP for Shetland) resigns as Deputy Minister for Parliament over Executive's fishing policy. Euan Robson (LibDem MSP for Roxburgh & Berwickshire) is appointed Deputy Minister for Parliament.
An Independent gains the Milton ward of Argyll & Bute Council from Labour.
Dr Sam Galbraith (Labour MP & MSP for Strathkelvin & Bearsden) resigns as Minister for the Environment. Ross Finnie (LibDem MSP for West Scotland) is appointed Minister for Environment & Rural Development.
Dr Sam Galbraith (Labour MP & MSP for Strathkelvin & Bearsden) resigns from the Scottish parliament due to ill health
Alex Salmond (Scottish National party MP & MSP for Banff & Buchan) resigns from the Scottish parliament to concentrate on Westminster.
The Director of the Holyrood parliament project, Alan Ezzi, resigns. He is replaced by Sarah Davidson.
General election. Labour government under Tony Blair. MPs elected in Scotland: Labour 55, Liberals 10, Scottish National Party 5, Conservative 1, Speaker 1. % of vote: Labour 43.3 %, Scottish National Party 20.1 %, LibDem 16.3 %, Conservative 15.6 %, SSP 3.1 %, Speaker 0.7 %, others 0.9 %.
Conservatives gain Galloway & Upper Nithsdale from the Scottish National Party.
Labour regains Renfrew West ∓ Inverclyde from Independent Scottish Labour.
Banff & Buchan by-election following Alex Salmond's resignation of his Scottish parliamentary seat to concentrate on Westminster. Stewart Stevenson holds the seat with a majority of 8,567 over Conservative Ted Brocklebank. Scottish National Party - 3.0 %, Conservative + 5.0 %, Labour + 2.2 %, LibDem - 6.3 %, SSP (+ 2.2 %).
Strathkelvin & Bearsden by-election following Dr Sam Galbraith's retiral from Westminster and resignation from the Scottish Parliament due to ill health. Brian Fitzpatrick holds the seat for Labour with a majority of 7,829 over Stobhill Hospital campaigner Dr Jean Turner. Labour - 13.7 %, Independent (+ 18.2 %), LibDem + 7.4 %, Scottish National Party - 6.6 %, Conservative - 4.3 %. At the Scottish general election in May 2003, Dr Turner wins the seat from Labour.
The Lib Dems gain the Kinross Town ward of Perth & Kinross Council from the Scottish National Party.
The Celtic Alliance is formed with Alex Salmond MP of the Scottish National Party and Elfyn Llwyd of Plaid Cymru as joint leaders. The Alliance is the fourth largest group in Westminster.
UK Conservative leadership first ballot. Michael Portillo 49 votes, Iain Duncan Smith 39 votes, Ken Clarke 36 votes, David Davis 21 votes, Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram 21 votes. No candidateds are eliminated.
UK Conservative leadership second ballot. Michael Portillo 50 votes, Iain Duncan Smith 42 votes, Ken Clarke 39 votes, David Davis 18 votes, Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram 17 votes. Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram is eliminated.
UK Conservative leadership third ballot. Ken Clarke 59 votes, Iain Duncan Smith 54 votes, Michael Portillo 53 votes. Clarke and Duncan Smith go on to a ballot of all party members in September.
Nick Johnston (Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) resigns his seat.
Nick Johnston (Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) is replaced without an election, by the fourth member of the Tory list, Murdo Fraser.
The Lib Dems gain the Tay Bridges ward of Dundee Council from Labour.
The Conservatives gain the Solway Border ward of Dumfries & Galloway Council from Labour.
The Conservatives gain the Strathbogie ward of Aberdeenshire council from the Lib Dems.
George Iain Duncan Smith is elected leader of the Conservative & Unionist party polling 155,933 votes of party members (60.7 %) compared to 100,864 (39.3 %) for Ken Clarke. The turnout is 79 %.
The Lib Dems gain the Auchtertool & Burntisland West ward of Fife Council from Labour.
The Conservatives gain the St Andrews Central ward of Fife council from the Lib Dems.
MSPs vote to ban hunting with dogs in Scotland.
The Rt Hon Henry McLeish (Labour MSP for Central Fife) resigns as First Minister of Scotland following the 'Officegate' affair concerning the subletting of his constituency offices while a MP. He had not declared £36,000 in rents in his expense claims for Westminster.
The cost of the Scottish Parliament building rises to more than £240 million, sompared to an original estimate of £10 - £40 million.
Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw) is elected unopposed as leader of the Scottish Labour Party with 97.23 % of the vote.
Election of the third First Minister of the devolved Scottish Parliament. Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw) 70 votes, John Swinney (Scottish National Party MSP for North Tayside) 34 votes, David McLetchie (Conservative MSP for the Lothians) 19 votes, Dennis Canavan (Independent MSP for Falkirk West) 3 votes. Jack McConnell is therefore elected as First Minister.
Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw) is sworn in as First Minister.
Scottish Executive ministers: First Minister and Custodian of the Great Seal of Scotland Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw), Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice, Rt Hon James Wallace QC (LibDem MSP for Orkney & Shetland), Minister for Education & Young People Cathy Jamieson (Labour MSP for Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley), Minister for Health & Community Care Malcolm Chisholm (Labour MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith), Minister fro Enterprise, Transport & Lifelong Learning Wendy Alexander (Labour MSP for Paisley North), Minister for Environment & Rural Development Ross Finnie (LibDem MSP for West of Scotland), Minister for Finance & Public Services Andy Kerr (Labour MSP for East Kilbride), Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport Lord Watson of Invergowrie (Labour MSP fro Glasgow Cathcart), Minister for Social Justice Iain Gray (Labour MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands), Minister for Parliamentary Business Patricia Ferguson (Labour MSP for Glasgow Maryhill), Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC.
Following the appointment of Patricia Ferguson as Minister for Parliamentary Business, Murray Tosh (Conservative MSP for the South of Scotland) is elected second Deputy Speaker by 68 votes against 45 votes for Cathie Peattie (Labour MSP for Falkirk East).
The cost of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood rises to £ 260 million.
The Scottish Parliament bans hunting with hounds.
Stirling is granted city status to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth Mountbatten as Queen of Scots.
Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes Lyon, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorn, Queen Mother and last Empress of India, dies at the age of 101.
The Scottish National Party gain the Thornton, Stenton & Finglassie ward of Fife Council from Labour.
Dorothy Grace Elder (Scottish National Party MSP for Glasgow) resigns the Scottish National Party whip.
An Old Selkirk Independent gains the Old Selkirk ward of Scottish Borders Council from an Independent.
The Borders Action Group gain the Eyemouth & District ward of Scottish Borders Council from an Independent.
The Conservatives gain the Kelso Central ward of Scottish Borders Council from the Lib Dems.
Wendy Alexander (Labour MSP for Paisley North) resigns as Minister for Enterprise, Transport & Lifelong Learning.
Executive reshuffle. Iain Gray (Labour MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands) is appointed Minister for Enterprise, Transport & Lifelong Learning, Margaret Curran (Labour MSP for Glasgow Ballieston) is appointed Minister for Social Justice.
The Conservatives gain the Gamrie-King ward of Aberdeenshire Council from the Scottish National Party.
The cost of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood rises to £ 295 million.
An Independent gains the Kincardine, Culross & Low Valleyfield ward of Fife Council from Labour.
The Liberal Democrats gain the Newhills ward of City of Aberdeen Council from Labour.
The Conservatives gain the Earlston, Gordon & District ward of Scottish Borders Council from the Lib Dems.
Dr Richard Simpson MSP (Labour, Ochil) resigns as Deputy Justice Minister after allegedly referring to striking Firemen as 'fascists' and 'bastards'. Hugh Henry MSP (Labour, Paisley South) is appointed as Deputy Justice Minisister, Frank McAveety MSP (Labour, Glasgow Shettleston) is appointed as Deputy Minister for Health & Community Care.
The cost of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood rises to £ 325 million.
The Liberal Democratss gain the Langstane ward of City of Aberdeen Council from Labour.
Death of Rt Hon Lord Jenkins of Hillhead (Roy Jenkins), (Labour MP for Central Southwark 1948 - 1950, Birmingham Strechford 1950 - 1977, Social Democratic Party MP for Glasgow Hillhead 1982 - 1987).
Death of George Kenneth Hotson Younger, Lord Younger of Prestwick and fourth Viscount Younger of Leckie, former Secretary of State for Scotland (Conservative MP for Ayr 1964 - 1992).
Margo MacDonald MSP (Scottish National Party, Lothians) is expelled from the Scottish National Party after announcng that she will stand against the SNP as an Independent in the 2003 elections.
100,000 people protest in Glasgow against the proposed invasion of Iraq.
The Rt Hon Robin Cook MP (Labour, Livingston) resigns as leader of the House of Commons in protest against the proposed invasion of Iraq without UN backing.
UK Prime Minister the Rt Hon Tony Blair (Labour, Sedgefield) deliberately lies to and misleads the House of Commons, claiming that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction which he knows do not exist. The House of Commons votes by 412 to 149 to use 'all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction'.
The USA and the UK invade Iraq without the backing of the United Nations. The UK Prime Minister and US President claim that they are invading to remove weapons of mass destruction that they know do not exist.
Keith Harding MSP (Conservative & Unionist, Mid Scotland & Fife) and Lyndsay McIntosh MSP (Conservative & Unionist, Central Scotland) defect to the Scottish People's Alliance following the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament.
First Minister of Scotland the Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP (Labour, Motherwell & Wishaw) promises Margo MacDonald MSP (Independent, Lothians) that he will order an inquiry into the Holyrood project.
Return to home page