 | 'Why is it now so urgent that we should take military action to disarm a military capacity that has been there for 20 years, and which we helped to create?' Rt Hon Robin Cook, 17 th March 2003. |  |
| 'Why is it now so urgent that we should take military action to disarm a military capacity that has been there for 20 years, and which we helped to create?' Rt Hon Robin Cook, 17 th March 2003. | |
The second elections for 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 50 (46 constituencies + 4 regional seats) Scottish National Party 27 (9 + 18), Conservatives 18 (3 + 15) Lib Dems 17 (13 + 4) Greens 7 (0 + 7), SSP 6 (0 + 6), SSCUP 1 (0 + 1) Independents (Canavan, MacDonald and Turner) 3 (2 + 1).
% of Constituency vote: Labour 34.9 %, Scottish National Party 23.8 %, Conservatives 16.5 %, Lib Dems 15.1 %, SSP 6.2 %, Independent (Canavan) 0.8 %, Independent (Turner) 0.6 %, SSCUP 0.1 %, others 2.0 %.
% of Regional vote: Labour 29.3 %, Scottish National Party 20.9 %, Conservatives 15.5 %, Lib Dems 11.8 %, SSP 6.9 %, Greens 6.7 %, SSCUP 1.5 %, Independent (MacDonald) 0.6 %, others 6.0 %.
Independent (Turner) wins Strathkelvin & Bearsden from Labour
The Scottish National Party win Aberdeen North, Dundee East and Ochil from Labour
The Lib Dems win Edinburgh South from Labour
The Conservatives win Galloway & Upper Nithsdale from Scottish National Party
The Conservatives hold Ayr (by-election gain) and win Edinburgh Pentlands from Labour.
Elections to Scottish local authorities. 1,222 councillors are elected for by the first-past-the-post method.
Number of Cllrs elected: Labour 509, Scottish National Party 181, Liberal Democrats 175, Conservatives 122, Others 234.
% of vote: Labour 32.6 %, Scottish National Party 24.1 %, Conservatives 15.1 %, Lib Dems 14.5 %, others 14.7 %.
George Galloway (Labour MP for Glasgow, Kelvin) is suspended from the Labour Party for protesting about the massacre of innocent civilians in Iraq.
George Reid (Scottish National Party MSP for Ochil) is elected unopposed as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. Trish Godman (Labour MSP for Renfrew West & Inverclyde) and Murray Tosh (Conservative MSP for West of Scotland) are elected as Deputy Presiding Officers.
First election of the First Minister in the second devolved Scottish Parliament. Jack McConnell (Labour MSP for Motherwell & Wishaw) 67 votes, John Swinney (Scottish National Party MSP for North Tayside) 26 votes, David McLetchie (Conservative MSP for the Lothians) 18 votes, Robin Harper (Green MSP for the Lothians) 6 votes, Tommy Sheridan (SSP MSP for Glasgow) 6 votes, Dennis Canavan (Independent MSP for Falkirk West) 2 votes, Margo MacDonald (Independent MSP for the Lothians) 2 votes. Jack McConnell is therefore elected 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 Enterprise, & Lifelong Learning Rt Hon James Wallace QC (LibDem MSP for Orkney & Shetland), Minister for Justice Cathy Jamieson (Labour MSP for Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley), Minister for Finance Andy Kerr (Labour MSP for East Kilbride), Minister for Education Peter Peacock (Labour MSP for Highlands & Islands), Minister for Health & Community Care Malcolm Chisholm (Labour MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith), Minister for Rural Development Ross Finnie (LibDem MSP for West of Scotland), Minister for Communities Margaret Curran (Labour MSP for Glasgow Ballieston), Minister for Parliamentary Business Patricia Ferguson (Labour MSP for Glasgow Maryhill), Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport Frank McAveety (Labour MSP for Glasgow Shettleston), Minister for Transport Nicol Stephen (LibDem MSP for Aberden South), Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC.
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC, the former Tory MP, is appointed to carry out an independent Inquiry on the Holyrood project.
Tony Blair abolishes the office of Secretary of State for Scotland. The new Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs assumes responsability for Scoland, Wales, and the Lord Chancellor's office following the resignation of the wallpaper baron, Lord Irvine.
In a U-turn, Tony Blair appoints Rt Hon Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport as Secretary of State for Scotland in addition to his current duties.
During monthly Scottish Questions at Westminster, the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, Secretary of State for Scotland describes the Scottish Parliament as 'the assembly'.
The estimated cost of the new Scottish Parliament has almost doubled again to £373.9 million.
Death of Dr David Kelly, biological weapons expert and Chief Scientific Officer at the Ministry of Defence.
The Scottish Parliament (constituencies) Act 2004 receives Royal assent. This relaces Schedule 1 of the Scotland Act's link between Westminster and Scottish parliamentary constuencies and maintains the current size of the Scottish parliament at 129 members.
Prime Minister Tony Blair gives evident to the Hutton enquiry and says he will have to resign if claims that the government 'sexed up' the Iraq weapons dossier are proved to be true. The claims are later proved to be true, but Blair refuses to resign, resulting in calls for his impeachment.
The cost of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood rises to £ 401 million.
Scottish National Party leadership challenge. John Swinney (MSP for Tayside North) wins 577 votes (83.9 %) compared to 111 (16.1 %) for Bill Wilson.
George Galloway (Labour MP for Glasgow, Kelvin) is expelled from the Labour Party for protesting about the massacre of innocent civilians in Iraq.
Lord Fraser of Carmylie, previously Tory MP for Angus South and Angus East, opens an enquiry into the Scottish Parliament building project.
UK Tory leader George Iain Duncan Smith loses a votes of no confidence by 90 votes to 75 and resigns.
Michael Howard is unopposed as leader of the Tory Party. Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram, is appointed Shadow Foreign Secretary.
Lord Hutton publishes his report on the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. The report is condemned as a whitewash.
The cost of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood rises from £401 to £ 430 million - more than ten times the original estimate of £ 10 to 40 million.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, (Conservative MP for Edinburgh Pentlands from February 1974 - 1997), and ex Secretary of State for Scotland, Transport, Defence, and Foreign ∓ Commonwealth Affairs, is selected as Tory candidate for the seat of Kensington & Chelsea in England.
Campbell Martin (Scottish National Party MSP for West of Scotland) is suspended from the Scottish National Party, for a period of six months.
Ten new countries join the European Union: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Resignation of Cllr Garry Coutts (Independent, Beauly & Strathglass) upon his appointment as Chairman of NHS Highland.
The Conservatives gain the Kelso & District North ward of Scottish Borders Council from an Independent.
Sixth direct elections to the European Parliament. Scotland is contested as a single seven member constituency (one less than in 1999) with seats awarded according to the d'Hondt system. MEPs elected in Scotland: two Labour (- 1), two Scottish National Party, two Conservatives and one LibDem. % of vote: Labour 26.4 %, Scottish National Party 19.7 %, Conservative 17.8 %, Lib Dems 13.1 % Greens 6.8 %, UKIP 6.7 %, SSP 5.2 %.
John Swinney MSP announces that he will stand down as leader (National Convenor) of the Scottish National Party in September.
A bill for Proportional Representation for local government elections is passed by the Scottish Parliament.
John Maxton (Glasgow Cathcart 1979 - 2001) is invested as Lord Maxton.
Campbell Martin MSP is expelled from the Scottish National Party.
The Conservatives win the Ardrossan North ward of North Ayrshire council from Labour.
George Reid, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and Lord Elis-Thomas, Presiding Officer of the Welsh Assebly, are appointed to the Privy Council.
The Scottish National Party win the Speyside ward of Moray council from an Independent.
A new three way coalition of 15 Scottish National Party councillors, nine Liberal Unionists and one independent councillor replaces the previous Conservative/Labour/Lib Dem coalition running Perthshire & Kinross Council.
The Scottish National Party win the Menstrie ward of Clackmannan council from an independent.
It is revealed that Prime Minister Tony Blair will not attend the official opening of the new Scottish parliament building at Holyrood on 9 th October.
The Conservatives win the Bothwell South ward of South Lanarkshire council from Labour.
Alex Salmond MP is declared SNP leader with 4,952 votes (75.76 %) compared to 953 (14.58 %) for Roseanna Cunningham MSP and 631 (9.65 %) for Michael Russell. Nicola Sturgeon MSP is declared deputy leader with 3,521 votes (53.87 %) compared to 1,605 (24.56 %) for Fergus Ewing MSP and 1,410 (21.57 %) for Christine Grahame MSP.
The Independent MSPs Margo MacDonald, Dennis Canavan, Dr Jean Turner, Campbell Martin and John Swinburne form a parliamentary group. This will qualify them for a seat on the Scottish parliament's bureau.
Lord Fraser of Carmylie publishes the report of his inquiry into the Scottish Parliament building. The report is condemned as yet another whitewash and a waste of public money.
Tony Blair admits that he misled Parliament and that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction as he had claimed.
Mary Mulligan (Labour MSP for Linlithgow) resigns as Deputy Communities Minister.
Scottish Executive reshuffle. Frank McAveety sacked from Tourism, Culture & Sport; Tom McCabe is promoted to Finance; Malcolm Chisholm is moved from Health to Communites; Andy Kerr is moved from Finance to Health; Margaret Curran is moved from Communities to Parliamentary Business; Patricia Ferguson is moved from Parliamentary Business to Culture, Tourism & Sport.
Following a ceremonial event in Parliament Hall and a Riding down the Royal Mile to Holyrood, the new Scottish Parliament building is officially opened by the Queen of England. Apparantly acting upon orders from Tony Blair, Elizabeth Mountbatten makes an ill-advised speech praising, not the Scottish parliament, but the Imperial parliament at Westminster.
Deputy leader of the UK Tory party, Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram (Tory MP for Berwickshire & East Lothian Feb - Oct 1974, Edinburgh South 1979 - 1987 and Devises since 1992) succeeds his father as the 13 th Marquess of Lothian.
An independent wins the the Bowling/Milton/Old Kilpatrick ward of West Dunbartonshire council from the Scottish National Party.
The SSP executive committee meet and demand the resignation of Tommy Sheridan as party leader. The decision is later backed by National Council (For 93, Against 10, Abstentions 2) and to back the executive committee's handling of the situation (85 votes for and 20 against)
An Independent wins the Speyside ward of Moray council from the Scottish National Party.
Tommy Sheridan (MSP for Glasgow) resigns as leader of the Scottish Socialist Party. Leadership of the party is shared by all MSPs.
A fire breaks out in the Prestonfield House hotel in Edinburgh at 2.15 am following the Scottish Politician of the Year awards. Security cameras catch Labour Peer and MSP, Lord Watson of Invergowrie, setting fire to curtains.
Lord Watson of Invergowrie (Labour MSP for Glasgow Cathcart) is arrested and charged by police in connection with alleged arson. He is also suspended from the Labour party.
Lord Watson of Invergowrie (Labour MSP for Glasgow Cathcart) is released on bail after appearing in court concerning two charges of wilful fireraising at the Prestonfield House hotel.
George Galloway, (ex Labour, now Respect MP for Glasgow Kelvin), wins £150,000 in damages from the Daily Telegraph for serious defamation. The Telegraph had accused Galloway of being "in Saddam's pay".
The Scottish Socialist Party's national council votes by 42 to 41 to revert to having a single leader as opposed to leadership shared by its MSPs.
The SNP win the Inchyra ward of Falkirk Council from an Independent.
Tolls are abolished for the Skye bridge.
Keith Raffan (Lib Dem MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) resigns 'for health reasons'.
Cllr Andrew Arbuckle is sworne in as Lib Dem MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, succeding Keith Raffan who resigned on the 7 th of January for 'health reasons'.
Death of Cllr William Russell (Labour, Dalkeith/Woodburn, Midlothian).
Caroline Leckie (SSP MSP for Central Scotland) is jailed for non payment of a £100 fine imposed after a demonstration against nuclear submaries on the Clyde). She is released the next day
Officials at Holyrood launch an investigation into travel expenses claimed by Keith Raffan (Lib Dem MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) who resigned on the 7 th of January. In December 2004 Keith Raffan had topped the list for MSPs' expenses, with a total claim of £108,826. Discrepancies include claiming mileage for a return journey from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh while on a visit to the Isle of Man and when on a visit to a ship launch in Germany.
Death of Cllr Jack Duffy (Labour, Dumbarton West, West Dunbartonshire).
David Davidson (Conservative MSP for North East Scotland) resigns as Scottish Tory Health spokesman following allegations about his personal life.
The new political map for Westminster constituencies come into effect after the Privy Council gives its approval to the Scottish Boundary Commission's proposals. Scotland will have 59 Westminster constituences. The changes do not effect the 73 Scottish parliamentary constituencies whose boundaries remain unchanged.
Colin Fox MSP is declared Scottish Socialist Party leader with 252 votes (62.07 %) compared to 154 (37.93 %) for Alan McCombes.
Scottish Tory leader, David McLetchie MSP, resigns as a partner of the law firm Tods Murray after accusations of paid advocacy.
IRT Surveys reveals that the £ 430 million Scottish parliament building is leaking heat, energy and money, and suggested that insulation behind the granite facade could be damaged, missing, or water-logged.
The European Commission warns the UK government that EU rules, which demand that the lowest bid be accepted, may have been broken when Bovis, who submitted the higest bid, rather than McAlpine, who submitted the lowest bid, were appointed as construction managers for the Holyrood building project by Barbara Dodds (aka 'Babs the Builder').
The Lib Dems win the Dalkeith/Woodburn ward of Midlothian council from Labour.
Windows at the £ 430 million Scottish parliament building are to be inspected after it is revealed that the installation of paper sunscreens could cause the glass to crack. The windows of the parliament cost £ 100 million.
Death of Cllr Thomas Dumble (Independent, Kilnknowe & Clovenfords, Scottish Borders).
Death of Rt Hon Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (Jim Callaghan), Labour Prime Minister from 1976 - 1979.
Death of Cllr Alexander Buchan (Conservative, Huntly East, Aberdeenshire).
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair visits the Queen to ask for a dissolution of parliament which is granted. The general election is to be held on May 5 th.
The Westminster Parliament is dissolved. All Members of Parliament cease to be MPs, but Ministers contunue to excerce their functions.
Death of Gwynfor Ewans (Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthenshire 1966 - 1970 & October 1974 - 1979)
Death of Lord Campbell of Croy (Rt Hon Gordon Thomas Calthrop Campbell), Conservative MP for Moray & Nairn 1959 - February 1974, and Secretary of State for Scotland 1970 - 1974.
Westminster election. Scotland has 59 seats, reduced by 13 from the 72 at the 2001 election. Labour government under Tony Blair. MPs elected in Scotland: Labour 40 (- 15), Liberals 11 (+ 1), Scottish National Party 6 (+ 1), Conservative 1, Speaker 1. % of vote: Labour 39.5 %, LibDem 22.6 %, Scottish National Party 17.7 %, Conservative 15.8 %, SSP 1.9 %, Greens 1.1 %, Speaker 0.6 %, others 1.4 %.
Scottish National Party win Na h-Eileanan An Iar (Western Isles) and make notional gain of Dundee East from Labour.
Lib Dems make notional gains of East Dunbartonshire and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey from Labour.
Conservatives make notional gain of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale from Labour.
David Mundell (Tory MSP for South of Scotland) wins Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale.
George Galloway (Labour MP for Glasgow Hillhead 1987 - 1997, Labour MP for Glasgow Kelvin 1997 - 2003, Independent Labour MP for Glasgow Kelvin 2003, Respect MP for Glasgow Kelvin 2003 - 2005) is elected Respect MP for Bethnal Green & Bow.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Conservative MP for Edinburgh Pentlands Feb 1974 - 1997) is elected MP for Kensington & Chelsea.
The Rt Hon Michael Howard MP announces that he will be resigning as leader of the UK Conservative & Unionist Party.
The Rt Hon James Wallace QC (Lib Dem MSP for Orkney) announces that he will be resigning as leader of the Scottish Lib Dems.
Labour's Business manager, Margaret Curran MSP, defends the right of the Westminster parliament to impose legislation on Scotland against the wishes of the Scottish parliament by the use of 'Sewel motions'.
The new Westminster Parliament meets and re-elects the Rt Hon Michael Martin (MP for Glasgow North East) as Speaker of the House of Commons.
It is announced that Life Peerages will be conferred upon: Irene Adams (Labour MP for Paisley North 1990 (by) - 2005), Dr Lynda Clark QC (Labour MP for Edinburgh Pentlands 1997 - 2005), Rt Hon George Foulkes (Labour MP for South Ayrshire 1979 - 1983, Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley 1983 - 2005), Dr Lewis Moonie (Labour MP for Kirkcaldy 1987-2005), Martin O'Neill (Labour MP for Stirlingshire East & Clackmannan 1979-1983, Clackmannan 1983-1997, Ochil 1997-2005) and Sir Archibald Kirkwood (Lib Dem MP for Roxburgh & Berwickshire 1983-2005).
It is revealed by the Sunday Herald that James Gray, (Tory MP for Wiltshire, England) the new Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland believes the Scottish Parliament should be scrapped. Gray has also referrred disparagingly to the 'tartan mafia' in the House of Commons and likened Scotland to a communist state.
State Opening of the Westminster Parliament.
James Gray, (Tory MP for Wiltshire, England) resigns as Tory Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland after persistant disparaging remarks concerning Scotland. He is replaced by Eleanor Laing (Tory MP for Epping Forest, England).
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, ex Tory Secretary of State for Scotland supports the view that the Scottish Parliament should be abolished.
The London-based management of publically-funded BBC defend their decision to distort Weather forecasts and maps even if it puts lives in Scotland at risk.
The Scottish Parliament wins an award as Best Publically Funded Building at the Architecture Grand Prix event. The best publically funded building has an inimicable record. It was delivered several years late and went almost £400 million over budget. Over 33,000 faults have been reported in the best publically funded building since the offical opening in October 2004.
It is revealed that Ken Macintosh (Labour MSP for Eastwood) had resigned as Deputy Convenor of the Standards Committe of the Scottish Parliament after failing to register £330 worth of hospitality from McDonald's at a football match in Cardiff.
The Scottish National Party win the Kilnknowe & Clovenfords ward of Scottish Borders council from an Independent.
Sir Archibald Kirkwood (Lib Dem MP for Roxburgh & Berwickshire 1983 - 2005) is invested as Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope.
Martin O'Neill (Labour MP for Stirlingshire East & Clackmannan 1979 - 1983, Clackmannan 1983 - 1997, Ochil 1997 - 2005) is invested as Lord O'Neill of Clackmannan.
The Scottish National Party win the Kildrum & Park ward of North Lanarkshire council from an Independent (elected in 2003 as SNP).
Rt Hon George Foulkes (Labour MP for South Ayrshire 1979 - 1983, Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley 1983 - 2005) is invested as Lord Foulkes of Cumnock.
David Mundell (Tory MSP for South of Scotland and Tory MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale) resigns his Scottish parliamentary seat.
The Advocate General for Scotland, Dr Lynda Clark QC (Labour MP for Edinburgh Pentlands 1997 - 2005) is invested as Baroness Clark of Calton.
Derek Brownlee is sworn in as Tory MSP for South of Scotland, succeeding David Mundell who was elected an MP in May and resigned on the 17 th of June.
Dr Lewis Moonie (Labour MP for Kirkcaldy 1987-2005) is invested as Lord Moonie.
Nicol Stephen MSP (Aberdeen South) is declared Lib Dem leader in Scotland with 2,108 votes (76.6 %) compared to 642 (23.4 %) for Mike Rumbles MSP (West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine) on a turnout of 65.4 %.
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 Enterprise, & Lifelong Learning Nicol Stephen (LibDem MSP for Aberden South), Minister for Justice Cathy Jamieson (Labour MSP for Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley), Minister for Health & Community Care Andy Kerr (Labour MSP for East Kilbride), Minister for Education & Young People Peter Peacock (Labour MSP for Highlands & Islands), Minister for Finance & Public Service Reform Tom McCabe (Labour MSP for Hamilton South), Minister for Environment & Rural Development Ross Finnie (LibDem MSP for West of Scotland), Minister for Communities Margaret Curran (Labour MSP for Glasgow Ballieston), Minister for Parliamentary Business Malcolm Chisholm (Labour MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith), Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport Patricia Ferguson (Labour MSP for Glasgow Maryhill), Minister for Transport & Telecommunications Tavish Scott, (Lib Dem MSP for Orkney), Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC.
Irene Adams (Labour MP for Paisley North 1990 (by) - 2005) is invested as Baroness Adams of Craigielea.
On the last day of the parliamentary session, four SSP MSPs - Colin Fox, Frances Curran, Rosie Kane and Carolyn Leckie - are suspended after they block the proceedings of the Scottish parliament by a demonstration. Their absence allows Labour and the Lib Dems to block, by 56 votes to 52, a motion to compensate the families of 80 victims who died after contracted hepatitis C in blood transfusions. A special meeting of the Standards Committeee unanimously recomends the four SSP MSPs be banned from parliament for one month, in September, when parliament sits again. Scottish National Party membership stands at 10,944, up from 5,000 in 2004 when a new centralised membership system was introduced.
Brian Monteith (Tory MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) resigns as Scottish Tory Finance spokesman.
Winnie Ewing (SNP MP for Hamilton 1967 - 1970, MP for Moray & Nairn Feb 1974 - 1979, MEP for Highlands & Islands 1979 - 1999 and MSP for Highlands & Islands 1999 - 2003) announces that she will be standing down as President of the SNP.
Death of Rt Hon Sir Edward Heath, Conservative Prime Minister from 1970 - 1974.
Death of Cllr William Leggatt (Independent, Auchtertool & Burntisland East, Fife).
Death of Rt Hon Robin Cook, (Labour MP for Edinburgh Central February 1974 - 1983, Livingston 1983 - 2005).
Mike Rumbles (Lib Dem MSP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine) resigns as the party's health spokesman.
The Scottish National Party win the Herbertshire ward of Falkirk council from Labour.
Death of Cllr Jim Gilchrist (Conservative, Murrayfield, City of Edinburgh).
700 th anniversary of the execution of Sir William Wallace, onetime Guardian of Scotland at Smithfield in London.
Death of Cllr William Hoggan (Independent, Loanhead, Midlothian).
Lord Watson of Invergowrie (suspended Labour MSP for Glasgow Cathcart) pleads guilty to charges of willful fire raising at an Edinburgh Hotel and resigns from the Scottish Parliament.
Death of Norman Wylie, Lord Wylie (Conservative MP for Edinburgh Pentlands 1964 - Feb 1974), former Solicitor General, Lord Advocate and Senator of the College of Justice.
Labour peer and ex MSP, Lord Watson of Invergowrie is sentenced to imprisonment of 20 months, restricted to 16 months from today's date, after admitting setting fire to an Edinburgh hotel. Lord Watson is also expelled from the Labour party.
Ian Hudghton MEP is declared President of the Scottish National Party with 235 votes (54.65 %) compared to 129 votes (30.00 %) for ex-MP for East Aberdeenshire, Douglas Henderson, and 66 votes (15.35 %) for onetime president Billy Wolfe.
Livingston (Westminster) by-election. Jim Devine holds the seat for Labour with a majority of 2,680 over the Scottish National Party's Cllr Angela Constance. Labour - 9.3 %, Scottish National Party + 11.1 %, LibDem - 0.6 %, Conservatives - 3.4 %, Green (+ 1.8 %), SSP - 0.4 %.
Glasgow Cathcart (Scottish Parliament) by-election. Cllr Charles Gordon holds the seat for Labour with a 2,405 majority over the SNP's Marie Whitehead. Labour - 1.5 %, SNP + 5.8 %, Con + 2.0 %, LibDem + 2.3 %, Ind - 5.3 %, SSP - 7.3 %, Green (+3.6 %).
The Scottish National Party win the Auchtertool & Burntisland East ward of Fife council from an Independent.
Labour win the Lochside ward of Dumfries & Galloway council from an Independent.
UK Conservative leadership election, first ballot of MPs. David Davis 62 votes (31.3 %), David Cameron 56 votes (28.3 %), Dr Liam Fox 42 votes (21.2 %), Kenneth Clarke 38 votes (19.2 %). A second ballot is held on the 20 th.
UK Conservative leadership election, second ballot of MPs. David Cameron 90 votes (45.5 %), David Davis 57 votes (28.8 %), Dr Liam Fox 51 votes (25.8 %). The ballot of members is announced on the 6 th December.
Cllr Steve Cardownie, deputy Lord Provost of Edinburgh, defects from Labour to the Scottish National Party, leaving Labour with no overall majority on Edinburgh City Council.
David McLetchie (Tory MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands) offers to pay back any money which was wrongly claimed for his taxi expenses.
David McLetchie (Tory MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands) resigns as leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party after an investigation of his taxi expenses.
Brian Monteith (Tory list MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) resigns the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party whip after it is revealed that he e-mailed the editor of a Sunday newspaper editor proposing an editorial calling for David McLetchie to resign as Scottish Tory leader.
Annabel Goldie (Tory MSP for West of Scotland) is elected unopposed as leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.
Brian Monteith (Independent list MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife) resigns his membership of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.
It is announced that a Life Peerage will be conferred upon Colin Boyd QC, the Lord Advocate.
The Scottish National Party win the Loadhead ward of Midlothian council from an Independent.
Cllr Andy Hill, Labour leader of South Ayrshire Council resigns leaving Labour with 14 councillors and the Tories with 15. Labour gained power after a cut of the cards after the elections in May 2003.
UK Conservative leadership election, postal ballot of members. David Cameron MP 134,446 votes (67.61 %), David Davis MP 64,398 votes (32.39 %). David Cameron MP becomes UK Tory leader.
David Mundell (Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweedale) is appointed Tory Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. The position is reinstated as a Shadow Cabinet post.
Death of Rachel Squire (Labour MP for Dunfermline & West Fife).
UK Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy (MP for Ross, Skye & Lochaber) admits that he had a drink problem and calls a leadership election.
A sherrif rejects a Labour councillor's attempt to rule a special meeting of South Ayrshire Council as unlawful. The Tories take control of the council replacing Gordon McKenzie, the Labour provost, and his deputy, George Watson with Winifred Sloan and Mary Kilpatrick, both Conservative councillors in Ayr.
Death of Cllr Hector Macdonald (Conservative, Avondale South, South Lanarkshire).
Charles Kennedy (MP for Ross, Skye & Lochaber) resigns as the UK Lib Dem leader.
It is revealed that ex Scots Tory leader David McLetchie MSP and ex Scots Tory Brian Monteith MSP have been interviewed by the police as part of a corruption investigation in the USA.
Baroness Clark of Calton, the Advocate General for Scotland, resigns in order to become a Senator of the College of Justice (judge). The functions of the Advocate General are temporarily conferred on the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Darling MP under section 87(3) of the Scotland Act until the appointment of Neil Davidson on the 21 st March.
The Arbuthnott Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems publishes its report whose 24 recommendations include: the introducing e-voting, retaining the AMS system for Scottish parliamentary elections, basing Scottish parliamentary constituency and regional boundaries on local authority areas rather than Westminster constituencies, with the regions revised to better reflect natural local communities, allowing candidates to stand for constituencies and regional lists in Scottish Parliament elections, defining clearer roles for constituency and list MSPs, introducing STV for Euro elections and holding Scottish Parliament and local government elections at different dates.
Death of Cllr Patrick Kelly (Labour, Borestone, Stirling).
Cllr Stuart Randal, (Conservative, Dalgety Bay East), the leader of the Tory group on Fife Council, resigns the whip over disenchantment with the UK and Scottish Tory leadership.
Corporal Gordon Alexander Pritchard of the Scots Dragoon Guards, a 31-year old father-of-three from Edinburgh, is the 100 th British soldier to be killed in Iraq.
An Independent wins the North Carrick & Maybole East ward of South Ayrshire Council following the resignation of Labour Council leader, Cllr Andrew Hill.
Sir Robert McAlpine Construction Management Ltd., launches a £ 4.31 million damages claims at the Court of Session against the Scottish Parliament for alleged breaches of European regulations. McAlpine, who made the lowest tender, alleges that Bovis, who won the contract, were permitted to alter their bid, while other rivals, including McAlpine, were not.
It is revealed that tours of the £431 Million Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood could make a loss of £120,000 a year as there are not enough paying visitors to cover costs.
Death of Cllr Bill Timoney (Labour, King's Park, City of Glasgow).
Dunfermline & West Fife (Westminster) by-election following the death of Labour MP Rachel Squire on 5 th January 2006. William Rennie gains the seat for the Lib Dems with a majority of 1,800 over Labour's Catherine Stihler MEP. LibDem + 15.7 %, Labour - 16.8 %, SNP + 2.1 %, Conservative - 2.5 %, SSP - 0.1 %.
The Independent/Lib Dem/SNP administration of Dumfries & Galloway Council, led by Independent council convenor Cllr Andrew Campbell, and SNP vice convenor Cllr Robert Higgins, resigns after their budget proposal is defeated by 22 votes to 19 by Labour and Tory councillors.
Auditors' report reveal that ex Lib Dem MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, Dr Keith Raffan could be considered liable to repay £4,326 of unjustified expenses to the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish National Party win the Milton ward of Glasgow Ciy Council from Labour following the resignation of Cllr Gary Gray.
It is revealed that there are still 74 outstanding jobs to do before the £ 431 million Scottish Parliament building is completed.
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie (MSP for West of Scotland) resigns as convenor of the Justice 2 Committee due to a conflict of interests concerning her membership of the Law Society of Scotland.
Cllr Moses Kungu (Kirkconnel) and Cllr Brian Conchie (Georgetown) resign from the Labour group on Dumfries & Galloway Council due to the behaviour of the Labour group in a council meeting on 9 th February to set the council budget. This leaves Labour with 13 councillors on the 47 seat council.
Death of Cllr Tom McAlpine (SNP, Biggar/Symington & Black Mount, South Lanarkshire).
A minority Labour administration of 13 councillors takes control of Dumfries & Galloway Council with the support of the Tories following the resignation of the Independent/Lib Dem/SNP administration. Cllr Tommy Sloan becomes council convenor.
Cllr Niall Walker (Hillhead) resigns from the Lib Dem group on Glasgow City Council.
Death of Cllr Danny Coffey (SNP, Altonhill, Hillhead & Longpark, East Ayrshire).
Death of Hugh McCartney (Labour MP for East Dunbartonshire 1970 - February 1974, Dunbartonshire Central February 1974 - 1983, Clydebank & Milngavie 1983 - 1987).
The £ 431 million Scottish Parliament is evacuated after part of the roof of the debating chamber collapses. Health & Safety officers seal off the debating chamber.
Sir Menzies Campbell QC (MP for North East Fife) is declared leader of the UK Lib Dems with 29,697 second round votes (57.86 %) compared to 21,628 votes (42.14 %) for Chris Huhne (MP for Eastleigh). First round: Sir Menzies Campbell 23,264 (44.71 %), Chris Huhne 16,691 (32.08 %), Simon Hughes (MP for North Southwark & Bermonsey) 12,081 (23.22 %). Turnout 72 %.
The Health & Safety Executive, the Holyrood construction manager (Bovis), the structural engineers (Ove Arup), and builders Laing O'Rouke inspect the debating chamber of the £431 million Scottish Parliament after part of the roof collapsed.
Labour Party membership in Scotland falls to just 18,800, down from 30,000 in 1997.
A study by IRT Surveys reveals that the £431 Million Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood is suffering major heat loss and that the situation has deteriorated seriously in the past year.
The chairman and a number of activists of East Lothian Labour party resign following the continuing sleaze scandal surrounding the disgraced MP for East Lothian, Anne Moffat, who claimed £142,446 expenses, including £39,744 for travel - more than any other Member of Parliament in the whole of the United Kingdom.
The Scottish Parliament meets at the Festival Hub at the top of the Royal Mile at a n estimated cost of £60,000 a week. The Debating Chamber of the £431 million Holyrood building is closed following a collapse of part of the roof on 2 nd March.
A report from structural engineers Arup reveals that a connecting bolt had sheared allowing a twelve foot long oak beam to swing free. The Corporate Body states "Six days after the strut came loose in the chamber , it is hugely disappointing to have such a brief report."
It is revealed that a bolt was probably missing from the beam which collapsed in the debating chamber of the £431 million Scottish Parliament.
West Lothian Council wins Council of the Year award at the Government Chronicle Awards in London
The Scottish Parliament Parliamentary Body announces that the parliament will use committee room 2 during the closure of the debating hall of the £431 million building following a collapse of part of the roof. The additional cost will be £16,000 a week, but the room will only sit 90 of the 129 MSPs.
Death of Rt Hon Lord Gray of Contin, (Hamish Gray, Conservative MP for Ross & Cromarty 1970 - 1983).
The technical editor of New Civil Engineer magazine suggests the roof of the debating chamber of the £431 million building may be fundamentally flawed.
Professor Abdy Kermani, Professor of Timber Engineering at Edinburgh's Napier University warns that more beams could collapse from the roof of the debating chamber of the £431 Scottish Parliament building.
Structural Engineers Arup report that the collapse of the beam on 2 nd March was due to the absence of one bolt and the failure of another.
MSPs are informed that the debating chamber may remain closed for two months.
It is revealed that 890 faults were found in the £ 431 million Scottish Parliament during an inspection in February.
Death of Margaret Ewing (SNP MP for MP for Dunbartonshire East October 1974 - 1979,
SNP MP for Moray 1987 - 2001, SNP MSP for Moray 1999 - 2006).
Neil Davidson QC is appointed Advocate General for Scotland in succession to Baroness Clark of Calton who resigned on 18 th January in order to become a judge.
The Scottish Parliament moves into Committee Room two while the debating chamber is closed following a collapse of part of the roof of the the £431 million building.
Neil Davidson QC, the newly appointed Advocate Generale for Scotland, is created a Labour peer as Lord Davidson of Glen Clova.
It is revealed that running the First Minister Jack McConnell's office cost £526,954 a year and that of Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen £273,286, a total of £800,240, compared to just £456,096 for 2000 - 2001.
Funeral of Margaret Ewing MSP, who died on 21 st March 2006, at Lossiemouth.
A ban on smoking in enclosed public places comes into effect in Scotland.
It is revealed that George Lyon MSP (Lib Dem, Argyll & Bute) the Deputy Finance Minister, attempted to stop a motion of condolence for Margaret Ewing MSP, who died after a long battle against cancer on 21 st March 2006.
Cllr John Longstaff (Lib Dem, Dalmeny & Kirkliston) defects to Labour giving Labour an overall majority on Edinburgh City Council.
The Scottish National Party win the Borestone ward of Stirling Council from Labour following the death of Labour Cllr Patrick Kelly on 28 th January 2006.
The Lib Dems win the King's Park ward of Glasgow City council from Labour following the death of Labour Cllr Bill Timoney on the 8 th February 2006
Transport Minister Tavish Scott (Lib Dem, Shetland) scraps tolls on the Erskine Bridge, but keeps tolls for the Tay and Forth Road Bridges. The Lib Dems campaigned against tolls on the Forth Road Bridge in the Dunfermine & West Fife Westminster by-election in February.
It is announced that MSPs will be able to return to the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament by mid May. The roof beams will be made safe using temporary straps and renovation work will be carried out during the summer recess.
Richard Lochhead MSP (SNP, North East Scotland) resigns from the Scottish Parliament in order to contest the Moray seat which became vacant upon the death of the SNP's Margaret Ewing on 21 st March 2006.
Mary Scanlon MSP (Tory, Highlands & Islands) resigns from the Scottish Parliament in order to contest the Moray seat which became vacant upon the death of the SNP's Margaret Ewing on 21 st March 2006.
It is officially announced that Colin Boyd, the Lord Advocate is to be invested as Lord Boyd. The Crown Office states that he will be a Labour working peer, however Downing Street states that he will sit as a crossbencher.
Resignation of Cllr Joe Pilkington (Labour, Dumbarton West, West Dunbartonshire).
Maureen Watt is sworne in as SNP MSP for North East Scotland, succeding Richard Lochhead who resigned in order to contest the Moray by-election. Ms Watt is the first MSP to take the oath of allegiance in Doric.
David Petrie is sworne in as Tory MSP for the Highlands & Islands, replacing Mary Scanlon who resigned to fight the Moray by-election.
Cllr Richard Vassie (Glenburn South) is expelled from the SNP group on Renfrewshire Council after being banned in February by the Standards Commission from attending council meetings for one year. Cllr Vassie had been expelled previously, on 10 th August 1997. This leaves the composition of Renfrewshire Council at 21 Labour, 12 Scottish National Party, three Liberal Unionists, one Tory and one Independent.
Moray (Scottish Parliament) by-election following the death of Scottish National Party MSP Margaret Ewing on 21 st March 2006. Richard Lochhead holds the seat for the SNP with a majority of 6,385 over Tory Mary Scanlon. SNP + 4.0 %, Conservative + 0.4 %, LibDem + 7.2 %, Labour - 9.3 %, NHSFirst Party (+ 1.8 %).
This is the first time that the incumbant party has increased their vote in a Westminster or Holyrood by-election since Berwick & East Lothian in 1978.
It is revealed that police found cannabis at the home of Dr John Reid (Labour MP for Airdrie & Shotts), the Secretary of State for Defence. In 2000 Dr Reid was among ministers who refused to say whether they had ever used cannabis.
The 700 th anniversary of the enthronement of Robert the Bruce as King of Scots is celebrated by a re-enactment of the ceremony and jousting at Scone.
Richard Lochhead is sworne in as SNP MSP for Moray. He resigned as list MSP for North East Scotland on the 7 th April in order to contest the by-election on the 27 th April.
Westminster cabinet reshuffle. Dr John Reid (Labour MP for Airdrie & Shotts) becomes Home Secretary, Des Browne (Labour MP for Kilmarnock & Loudoun) becomes Defence Secretary, Alistair Darling (Labour MP for Edinburgh South West) becomes Trade & Industry Secretary and Douglas Alexander (Labour MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire South) becomes Transport & Scotland Secretary. Gordon Brown (Labour MP for Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath) remains as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It is revealed that officials have been unable to close security gates at £431 million Scottish parliament building because they are too heavy for their hinges.
Westminster junior ministerial reshuffle. Jim Murphy (Labour MP for Eastwood) is promoted to Minister of State for Work & Pensions, Frank Roy (Labour MP for Motherwell & Wishaw) is promoted to Lord Commissioner to the Treasury (Government Whip), Anne McGuire (Labour MP for Stirling) is demoted to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Disabled People.
Westminster junior ministerial reshuffle. Father David Cairns (Labour MP for Greenock & Inverclyde) becomes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in addition to Scotland.
MSPs return to the debating chamber of the £431 million Scottish Parliament more than two months after it was closed after part of the roof collapsed. The roofing beams have been secured by straps and permanent repairs will be carried out during the summer recess.
The Tories win the Biggar/Symington & Black Mount ward of South Lanarkshire Council from the Scottish National Party following the death of Cllr Tom McAlpine on the 21 st February 2006.
Lord Watson of Invergowrie (ex Labour MP for Glasgow Central and MSP for Glasgow Cathcart) is released from prison after serving eight months of a 16 month sentence for fire raising.
It is announced that the collapse of part of the roof of the debating chamber of the £431 million Scottish parliament building has cost over £400,000, including £280,000 on temporary measures and at least £130,000 to effect a permanent repair.
SSP policy coordinator Alan McCombes is jailed for refusing to hand over the minutes of the SSP executive meeting of 9 th November 2004 to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in connection with a libel action against the News of the World.
Death of Cllr Margaret MacLennan (Independent, Lochardil, Highland).
Police examine allegations of corruption concerning Labour councillors in North Lanarkshire council.
HRH the Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and HRH, the Duchess of Rothesay, visit the Scottish Parliament as part of The Prince's Trust-Scotland 30th anniversary.
The Commission for Racial Equality states that the World Cup should not be an excuse for anti-English sentiments. However, the Commission advises Scots that they should not feel obliged to support England.
It is revealed that Lib Dem defence spokesman William Rennie (MP for Dunfermline & West Fife) has links to an international arms company.
Dr Duncan Ross is elected National Secretary of the Scottish National Party following the resignation of Alasdair Allen in order to contest the Western Isles seat in 2007.
The House of Commons gives a first reading to a bill by SNP Leader Alex Salmond MP (Banff & Buchan) to repatriate oil and gas resources to the Scottish Parliament. The Bill will now have its second reading in the Commons in October.
Details of the expenses and allowances claims for MSPs are made available online.
Cllr Craig Holden (SNP, Alloa Mar) resigns from the SNP group on Clackmannanshire council. The resulting council composition is Labour 10, Scottish National Party 6, Conservatives & Unionists 1, Independent 1.
It is announced that there will be a single ballot paper for the constituency and regional list votes at the Scottish parliament elections in May 2007. Electronic counting will also be used.
The Honours (Prevention of Corruption) Bill is published by Angus MacNeil MP, (SNP, Na h-Eileanan an Iar). It seeks to regulate the awarding of honours to those who have given cash to political parties and received government contracts or sponsored government programmes.
Colin Boyd QC, the Lord Advocate is invested as Lord Boyd of Duncansby.
The Scottish National party win the Dumbarton West ward of West Dunbartonshire Council from Labour following the resignation of Cllr Joe Pilkington on the 13 th April.
Inverclyde Cllr Michael McCormick (Independent, Ladyburn & Bridgend) announces that he is joining the Labour party.
Police begin a criminal investigation in North Lanarkshire council following allegations that Labour councillors were bribed to pass planning applications from a construction firm.
The Scottish National Party's complete rankings of regional candidates for the 2007 Holyrood election is published.
Scottish National Party membership stands at 12,066, up from 10,944 in June 2005.
Flower of Scotland is named as the "people's choice" as an official national anthem.
A jury trial commences concerning the defamation case initiated by Tommy Sheridan MSP (SSP, Glasgow) against the News of the World.
The Liberal Unionist Party's rankings of regional candidates for the 2007 Holyrood election is announced, but only the top ranked candidates in most regions are made public.
The Queen installs Lord Steel of Aikwood and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen as Knights of the Thistle.
The Labour Party's rankings of regional candidates for the 2007 Holyrood election is ratified by their National Executive Committee and the list is made public on the 11 th July.
Tommy Sheridan MSP (SSP, Glasgow) sacks his advocate in his libel case against the News of the World.
Death of Cllr David Rougvie (Labour, Markinch & Woodside East, Fife).
Margaret, 31 st Countess of Mar, a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, states: 'It is accepted among peers that some have bought their peerages. They seem to do little more than rubber stamp the party line. It upsets me a lot.'
Tommy Sheridan MSP (SSP, Glasgow) wins his libel case against the News of the World and is awarded £200,000 damages.
James Sheridan MP (Labour, Paisley & Renfrewshire North) resigns as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence in protest over the government's foreign policy concerning the Middle East crisis and the refuelling of US military flights at Prestwick airport.
The Lib Dems win the the Lochardil ward of Highland council following the death of Independent Cllr Margaret MacLennan on the 26 th May 2006.
Scotland's population rises to 5,094,800 but drops to just 8.5 % of the UK population.
Two of the Scottish Socialist Party's six MSPs - Tommy Sheridan MSP (SSP, Glasgow) and Rosemary Byrne MSP (SSP, South of Scotland) - and nine of the 20-strong SSP executive committee leave the party to form Solidarity - Scotland's Socialist Movement.
Death of Lord Monro of Langholm (Sir Hector Seymore Peter Monro, Conservative & Unionist MP for Dumfries 1964 - 1997).
Tony Blair declares that he will still be Prime Minister at the time of the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2006.
Work starts to replace three cracked bomb blast-proof windows at the £ 431 million Scottish parliament building. It is thought that the bomb blast-proof windows may be defective and cracked due to temperature changes.
The Greens' top three ranked candidates in each region are made public.
Marek Lazarowicz MP (Labour, Edinburgh North & Leith), Anne MacKechin MP (Labour, Glasgow North) and David Hamilton MP (Labour, Midlothian), along with twelve other Labour MPs, write to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking him to 'stand aside'.
Following the resignation of two Paliamentary Under Secretaries of State and seven Parliamentary Private Secretaries, Tony Blair declares that this years Labour conference is the last that he will attend as Labour leader. However, he refuses to name a date for his resignation.
Michael Matheson MSP (SNP, Central Scotland) resigns as Shadow Minister for Culture & Sport. He is replaced by Stewart Maxwell (SNP, West of Scotland).
Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner, rules that the travel expenses claimed by Anne Moffat MP (Labour, East Lothian) should be made public. In 2003, she claimed £39,744 on travel - £14,295 more than Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney & Shetland - while David Hamilton, MP for Midlothian, claimed just £18,833.
Cllr Anne Watters (Liberal Unionist, Dunnikier, Fife) resigns from the Liberals Democrats to sit as an Independent Democrat.
Death of Douglas Henderson (SNP MP for Aberdeenshire East, February 1974 - 1979), former Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party.
UK Tory leader David Cameron MP apologises to Scots for the imposition of the Poll Tax on Scotland by the last Tory govenrment, one year before it came into force in England.
Cllr Bill Martin (Glen Burn North, Renfrewshire) resigns from the Scottish National party to sit as an Independent. This leaves the composition of Renfrewshire Council at 21 Labour, 11 Scottish National Party, three Liberal Unionists, two Independents, and one Tory.
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen MSP (Liberal Unionist, Aberdeen South) declares that he will never permit the break up of the United Kingdom, even if that is the clear wish of the majority of the Scottish people.
Death of Cllr Jean Goldie (Labour, Elderslie), Depute Provost of Renfrewshire Council. This leaves the composition of Renfrewshire Council at 20 Labour, 11 Scottish National Party, three Liberal Unionists, two Independents, one Tory and one vacant seat.
The Scottish Tories unveil a new logo, a larger version of the UK party's tree, but which does not lean as far to the right.
The Scottish Parliament's Standards Committee bans Mike Pringle MSP (Liberal Unionist, Edinburgh South) for a week from attending full sessions and committee meetings of the Parliament for leaking details of the Shirley McKie case to a newspaper.
Millionaire Scots businessman and tax exile, Michael Brown, whose company donated £2.4 million to the Liberal Unionists despite not him being resistered to vote in the UK, is jailed for two years for perjury and making a false declaration to obtain a passport.
The Scottish National Party win the Markinch & Woodside East ward of Fife Council from Labour following the death of Labour Cllr David Rougvie on the 23 rd July 2006.
MSPs unanimously agree that St Andrew's Day should become a public holiday.
Lord Boyd of Duncansby resigns as Lord Advocate.
The Solicitor General Elish Angiolini is nominated as Scotland's new Lord Advocate. MSPs approve the nomination by voting 99 in favour with none against and 15 abstensions. Labou's John Beckett QC, the Principal Advocate Depute is nominated and approved for the post of Solicitor General.
The Labour Party cancel their 2007 Spring Conference in Glasgow.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland states that it is difficult to argue for ecclesiastical but not political independence and says 'I would not get too involved in the politics of independence, but I am happy that, if it is the wish of the people, Scotland becomes an independent country.'
Scottish Tory Deputy Chairman Bill Walker (MP for Perth & East Perthshire 1979 - 1983 and Tayside North, 1983 - 1997) states that there should be a referendum with the option of abolishing the Scottish Parliament.
The 36 ft long £88,000 reception desk at the £431 million Scottish Parliament is found to be unsuitable and inadequate. In addition, the tank supplying three ponds in front of the parliament is found to be leaking and requires urgent repair. This is the third serious problem with the ponds since the disaster-prone building opened.
It is revealed that the Leader of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Jack Straw, who was recently accused of Islamophobia, is determined that the Church of England's bishops will retain most of their seats in the House of Lords despite plans to "reform" the Upper House. No other church or faith is represented in the Lords, where no less than twenty-six Church of England Bishops presently sit. From the Union of 1707 until 1963, Scotland had the right to elect just 16 representative peers to the House of Lords.
Major Eric Joyce MP (Labour, Falkirk East) claims £175,000 in expenses, the highest of any MP in the whole of the United Kingdom. The Scotsman notes that his travel expenses claim of £45,000, or £865 a week is 'enough for two economy return tickets a week to Australia.' Mayor Joyce spoke in just 13 debates - representing a cost to the taxpayer of £13,461.54 in expenses (without counting his salary) per speech. Nick Harvey MP (Liberal Democrat, North Devon) and spokesman for the Members Estimate Committee claims that this represents 'excellent value for money'. Major Joyce describes his office costs as 'relatively low', and defends his playboy lifestyle as 'legitimate'.
The Labour peer, John Maxton, Lord Maxton (Labour MP for Glasgow Cathcart 1979 - 2001) claims £58,611 in expenses, the highest of all the 752 members of the House of Lords.
The Electoral Commission state that they may apply to the courts in order to forfeit a £2.4 million donation to the Lib Dems by Michael Brown who was jailed for perjury on the 25 th September 2006.
Britain's biggest rail union, the RMT, announces that it is terminating its affiliation to the Scottish Socialist Party.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats refuse to reveal how much of their 2005 general election campaign was funded from a record £2.4 million donation by Michael Brown who was jailed for perjury on the 25 th September 2006.
It is revealed that John Home Robertson MSP (Labour, East Lothian) is claiming £7,000 a year from the taxpayer to rent his own son's flat.
A House of Commons motion tabled by the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru calling for an investigation into the government's conduct concerning Iraq is defeated by just 25 votes: For 273 votes, against 298 votes. The Rt Hon Gavin Strang MP (Labour, Edinburgh East) votes for an enquiry.
The first national conference of Solidarity, Scotland's Socialist Movement confirms Tommy Sherdan MSP (Solidarity, Glasgow) and Rosemary Byre MSP (Solidarity, South of Scotland) as Co-Convenors.
The Sunday Herald reveals that Phylis Finnie, wife of Liberal Democrat Scottish Environment Minister Ross Finnie, signed over her rights to an Edinburgh property in order to allow her husband to claim £2,500 in mortgage interest payments.
The Sunday Herald also reveals that Tavish Scott, the Liberal Democrat Scottish Transport minister is claiming nearly £1,000 a month in mortgage interest payments despite having made a £36,000 profit on the sale of a flat bought with public money. The Liberal Democrat minister has previously claimed rent on a flat owned by his sister.
John Home Robertson MSP (Labour, East Lothian) who has been claiming £7,000 a year from the taxpayer to rent his own son's flat, announces that he will be resigning from the Scottish Parliament in May 2007 as he has been offered a peerage by Tony Blair. The Sunday Times comments: 'Enoch Powell was wrong. Not all political careers end in failure. Some end in the House of Lords.'
Mini reshuffle following the resignation of Peter Peacock MSP (Labour Highlands & Islands) as Minister for Education & Young People. Hugh Henry MSP (Labour, Paisley South) is appointed in his place. Johann Lamont, MSP (Labour, Glasgow Pollok) is transferred from Deputy Minister for Communities to Deputy Minister for Justice. Des McNulty MSP (Labour Clydebank & Milngavie) is appointed Deputy Minister for Communities.
Dumfries & Galloway Cllr Ian Lindsay (Independent, Canonbie & Kirtle,) joins the Conservatives. This leaves the council composition at 13 Labour, 12 Conservative & Unionists, 12 Independents, six Liberal Democrats and five Scottish National Party.
The Sunday Herald reveals that Nicol Stephen, the Liberal Democrat Deputy First Minister, is claiming £748 a month in interest payments on a house which he only half owns.
Dumfries & Galloway Cllr Denis Male (Liberal Democrat, Langholm & Upper Eskdale,) defects to the Conservatives. This leaves the council composition at 13 Conservative & Unionists, 13 Labour, 12 Independents, five Scottish National Party and five Liberal Democrats.
Death of North Lanarkshire Cllr David McKendrick (Independent, Newmains). The vacancy will not be filled until the council elections in May 2007.
Nicol Stephen MSP, the Liberal Democrat Deputy First Minister, is found guilty of breaking Holyrood guidelines on mortgage claims.
Labour lose overall control of Renfrewshire council after Cllr Richard Manser (Sandyford, Renfrewshire) resigns from the Labour party after being suspended. This leaves the composition of Renfrewshire Council at 19 Labour, 13 Scottish National Party, three Independents, three Liberal Democrats, one Tory and one vacant ward.
The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw MP claims to speak on behalf of the Archangel Gabriel.
Labour hold the Elderslie ward in Renfrewshire and regain control of the council. The composition of Renfrewshire Council is 20 Labour, 13 Scottish National Party, three Independents, three Liberal Democrats and one Tory.
The Rt Hon Antony Charles Lynton Blair is questioned by police concerning the alleged sales of honours following a written complaint filed by Angus B. MacNeil MP (Scottish National Party, Na h-Eileanan An Iar (Western Isles)). Blair is the first ever serving British Prime Minister to be questioned by police.
Death of Highland Cllr David Munro (Labour, Raigmore). The vacancy will not be filled until the council elections in May 2007.
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, ex Lord Advocate and Conservative MP for Angus South, is charged by police concerning an alleged disturbance on a flight from London.
Cllr Andrew White (Labour, Linnvale / Drumry) is suspended from the Labour party and is replaced as leader of West Dunbartonshire Council by Cllr Martin Rooney (Labour, Balloch).
Malcolm Chisholm MSP (Labour, Edinburgh Leith) is forced to resign as Communities Minister after voting for an SNP motion rejecting the repacement of Trident.
Rhona Brankin MSP (Labour, Midlothian) is appointed Minister for Communities and Sarah Boyack MSP (Labour, Edinburgh Central) is appointed Deputy Minister for Environment & Rural Development.
300 th anniversary of the passing of the Act of Union by the Three Estates of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
It is revealed that the First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP (Labour, Motherwell & Wishaw) was questioned by police on the 15 th December 2006 in connection with the nomination of the ex-Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC for a peerage.
North Lanarkshire Cllr Tom Selfridge (Labour, Cambusnethan) resigns from the Labour party and steps down as a Cllr. The vacancy will not be filled until the council elections in May 2007.
The Rt Hon Antony Charles Lynton Blair (Labour Prime Minister) is questioned for second time by police concerning the alleged sales of honours following a written complaint filed by Angus B. MacNeil MP (Scottish National Party, Na h-Eileanan An Iar (Western Isles)). The news is not released until the 1 st of February.
The Conservative & Unionist Party's rankings of regional candidates for the 2007 Holyrood election is made public.
Ted Brocklebank MSP (Mid Scotland & Fife) resigns as Scottish Tory Rural Affairs spokesman over David Cameron's policy decison not to remove the UK from the Common Fisheries policy.
Alan Smart, former head of broadcasting at the Scottish parliament states that the £431 million parliament building can barely get mobile phone coverage and has no wireless internet access for visitors, staff or MSPs.
Cllr Danny Molloy (Labour, Dalkeith/Eskburn) resigns as deputy leader of Midlothian Council following a report criticising services designed to protect abused children.
Scott Barrie MSP (Labour, Dunfermline West) resigns as Labour Chief Whip over tolls on the Forth and Tay crossings.
Cllr Jim Flynn (Labour, Bonhill East), Labour group whip and Housing Convenor of West Dunbartonshire Council is suspended from the Labour party for tabling a motion of no confidence in the council leader, Cllr Martin Rooney (Labour, Balloch).
Jamie Stone MSP (Lib Dem, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross), accuses the Scottish National Party of "xenophobic tendencies" just minutes after party leader Nicol Stephen MSP had promised the Lib Dems would not stoop to the politics of the gutter.
Expenses claimed by MSPs have risen by 8 % to £9.4m. The ten highest claims were: 1) £62,775.56, Rosemary Byrne (Solidarity, South of Scotland), 2) £60,812.00, Carolyn Leckie (Scottish Socialist Party, West of Scotland), 3) £ 58,850.89, Frances Curran (Scottish Socialist Party, West of Scotland), 4) £ 54,442.00, Alasdair Morrison (Labour, Western Isles), 5) £53,548.00, Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity, Glasgow), 6) £51,848.00, Rosie Kane (Scottish Socialist Party, Glasgow), 7) £49,791.07, Colin Fox (Scottish Socialist Party, Lothians), 8) 48,274.00, Jamie Stone (Lib Dem, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross), 9) £47,978.91, Shiona Baird (Green, North East Scotland), 10) £ 47,942.00, Jamie McGrigor (Conservative, Highlands & Islands).
The final cost of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood is calculated at £414.4 million which includes £276.9m construction costs, £82.7m for consultants' fees, the organisation of the site and staff, £6.3m for acquiring the site and £48.5m in VAT. The breakdown includes £40m for the main chamber, £16m for specialist glazing, £12.7m for landscaping, £8.6 for scaffolding, £7.9m for windows for MSP's offices, £2.9m for toilets,£2.9m for stone floors, £1.7m for fire alarms, £1.4m for lifts, £1m for roads, £656k for TVs and radios, £222k for bomb-blast testing, £211 k for signs, £200k for removing asbestos and pigeon droppings and £118k for turf.
The cost of rebuilding would be £333m revealing that £74m of public money had been wasted.
It is revelead that Steven Lawther, Jack McConnel's head of communications and spin doctor has resigned over differences concerning strategy and presentation.
Four Labour West Dunbartonshire Cllrs including former Council leader Andy White call for the resignation of Jackie Baillie MSP (Labour, Dumbarton) over the future of Vale of Leven Hospital.
The Sunday Herald reveals that LibDem leader Nicol Stephen's re-election campaign is being bankrolled by a businessman previously investigated for tax fraud and whose firm was described as 'cynical and insensitive' after sacking nearly 200 workers without pay or redundancy money.
Aberdeen Cllr Raymond Hutcheon (Lib Dem, Danestone) resigns following a search of his home by Grampian Police in connection with a murder enquiry.
Brian Monteith MSP (Independent, Mid Scotland & Fife) is banned from attending meetings at Holyrod for five days for issuing a press release before the publication of an official publication of a committee report.
West Dunbartsonshire Cllr Jackie Maciera (Labour, Mountblow) resigns the Labour whip.
Nigel Griffiths MP (Labour, Edinburgh South) resigns as Deputy Leader of the House of Commons in protest over government plans to replace Trident.
The Labour administration of West Dunbartsonshire Council collapses as Cllr Martin Rooney (Labour, Balloch), who became leader on 20 th December 2006, is voted out by 12 votes to seven. He is replaced by Cllr Denis Agnew (Independent, Kilbowie West) who resigned from the Labour Party in late 2006. Only seven of the 17 Cllrs who were elected as Labour in 2003 remain loyal to the party.
Jim Devine MP (Labour, Livingston) resigns as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Health Minister Rosie Winterton in protest over government plans to replace Trident.
A majority of Scotland's 59 MPs - 15 Labour, 12 LibDems and six Scottish National Party - vote against replacing the Trident nuclear weapon system based at the Faslane Royal Navy Base on the Clyde. 22 Scottish MPs vote for and 4 abstain giving a majority of 11 against replacing Trident. However, the renewal is imposed by votes from an alliance of Labour and Tory MPs from outside Scotland which allows the government to win the motion by 409 votes to 161.
300 th anniversary of the last meeting and adjournment of the independent Scottish Parliament.
Linda Fabiani MSP (SNP, Central Scotland) is awarded one of Italy's highest honours, the Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta' Italiana (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity) for promoting relations between Italy and Scotland.
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone says that Scotland is subsidising the rest of the UK through its oil revenues.
The Scottish Socialist Party publishes its list of regional candidates for the Scottish parliament elections. The party will not contest any constituencies.
The second session of the Scottish Parliament comes to a close with a Motion of Thanks to the outgoing Presiding Officer George Reid who will step down from frontline politics on 9 May, when his successor will be elected.
It is revealed that Mike Rumbles MSP (Lib Dem West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine) has used public subsidies to buy three different properties, the latest a £300,000 flat in Edinburgh, and has made a profit of £40,000. Tavish Scott MSP (Lib Dem, Shetland) made £38,000 in profit and purchased a £380,000 house subsidised by public funds.
The Scottish Parliament is dissolved at midnight.
It is revealed that the "typical working family" in Labour's election broadcast are in reality ex-Deputy General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party, Murdo Mathison and his wife.
The High Commissioner to Australia and former Labour Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Helen Liddell claims the term "war on terror" is a "tabloid slogan" and states "We have never seen Iraq as part of the war on terror. Certainly we are engaged in a war on the streets in Iraq against terrorism, but our raison d'etre for our involvement in Iraq has not been about terrorism."
The outgoing Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, the Rt Hon George Reid, is awarded a special decoration by the Russian Foreign Minister in recognition of his active and lasting contribution to strengthening multilateral cooperation between the Russian Federation and Scotland.
The outgoing Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, the Rt Hon George Reid, is awarded the Freedom of the County of Clackmannanshire.
300 th anniversary of the Union of the Parliaments.
10 th anniversary of Labour's general election win in 2007.
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