The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade (Edited by Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell)

The Hansard Society has launched its latest publication The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade (Edited by Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell). In this edited collection of essays, distinguished commentators, academics and parliamentarians discuss some of the key issues in the development of the Scottish Parliament over the last decade.

12 May 2009 marked the 10-year anniversary of the first inaugural session of the Scottish Parliament. Rarely can such high expectations have been invested in a political institution. The Parliament was to become the fulcrum of a 'new politics'. Expectations were high. As the Parliament moves into its second decade, now is the perfect time to reflect on its role in the Scottish and wider UK political process. What has been learned? What have been the challenges and it achievements? Has it matured into the effective legislative body that so many hoped for?


CONTENTS
Foreword by the Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson; Introduction: The First Decade in Perspective - Emma Megaughin and Charlie Jeffery; A Dozen Difference of Devolution - Lord Steel of Aikwood; Committees in the Scottish Parliament - Chris Carman and Mark Shepherd; The Legislative Process: The Parliament in Practice - Jim Johnston; The New Scottish Statute Book: The Scottish Parliament’s Legislative Record since 1999 - Michael Keating and Paul Cairney; Access and Participation: Aiming High - Bill Thomson; Travelling the Distance? Equal Opportunities and the Scottish Parliament - Fiona Mackay; Parliamentary Accountability: Aspiration or Reality? - Chris HimsworthThe Principle of Power-Sharing, Ten Years On - Joyce Macmillan; The Scottish Parliament Electoral System: Can Credibility be Restored? - Nicola McEwen; New Parliament, New Elections - James Mitchell and Robert Johns; Do Devolved Elections Work? - John Curtice; Conundrums and Contradictions: What Scotland Wants - David McCronev; New Scottish Parliament, Same Old Interest Group Politics? - Paul Cairney, Darren Halpin and Grant Jordan; Civil Society and the Parliament - Lindsay Paterson; The Media and Parliament - Brian McNair; Centre and Locality in Scottish Politics: From Bi- to Tri-partite Relations - Neil McGarvey; Quangos, Agencies and the Scottish Parliament - Richard Parry; The Scottish Parliament as seen from London - Peter Riddell; Opening Doors: Devolution in Wales and the Scottish Parliament, 1999-2009 - Alan Trench; The evolving unions of the UK - Charlie Jeffery.

For more information, please email Emma Megaughin, Projects Manager, at hansard.scotland@hansard.lse.ac.uk or by phone on 0131 243 2750.

This publication can be ordered from Luath Press.