The Scottish Parliament at 25

Established with optimism, ambition, and an aim to do things differently, and based on principles of accountability and transparency, the Scottish Parliament has passed world-leading legislation and imbued a self-confidence in its electorate since 1999. So, what are its strengths and achievements and where can it do better?

Join the Presiding Officer and panellists to both look back, but more importantly, to look forward to the next 25 years, exploring the constitutional, national, and global challenges facing the Scottish Parliament and how it remains relevant to Scotland.

Relevant books on this topic are available to order and collect from our online shop (with a 10% discount).

Brian Taylor is a writer, broadcaster, author, lecturer and after-dinner speaker. He is a columnist for The Herald and regular broadcaster, mainly on politics and current affairs. Brian is the former Political Editor of BBC Scotland. Before joining the BBC, Brian worked in newspapers including his role as lobby correspondent at Westminster. Brian has written numerous books including The Scottish Parliament: a definitive account of the road to devolution and its consequences, and Scotland’s Parliament: Triumph and Disaster. He has lectured on politics and identity across the globe. Brian maintains contact with the realities of Scottish life through passionate support of Dundee United Football Club.

Esther Roberton is an expert in civic, corporate, and constitutional governance and is a passionate advocate for clarity of purpose, consensus, collaboration and community involvement to build a new route map to a better, fairer Scotland. She is a Board member of Scotland’s Futures Forum and has spent a lifetime in public service, most recently as Chair of NHS Lothian and before that as Chair of NHS24 and Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Government. In 2017 she was asked to chair the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation for the Scottish Government. In the 1990s Esther was the Coordinator of the Scottish Constitutional Convention whose 1995 publication ‘Scotland’s Parliament, Scotland’s Right’ provided the blueprint for devolution.

Jack McConnell was First Minister of Scotland 2001-2007, UK Special Representative for Peacebuilding 2008-2010, and was appointed to the UK House of Lords in 2010. Jack was an MSP 1999-2011, Minister of Finance 1999-2000 and of Education 2000-2001. Lord McConnell is Chancellor of the University of Stirling, Chair of Reform Scotland and the McConnell International Foundation. Jack is Honorary President of the Labour Foreign Policy Group and is active in peacebuilding and mediation. He grew up on a sheep farm on the Isle of Arran and graduated from the University of Stirling before teaching Mathematics.

The Rt Hon Ken Macintosh is a parliamentary consultant following his time as an MSP and Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. He was born in Inverness and went to school in Portree and Oban, going on to study History at Edinburgh University. He began his career with the BBC before being elected to the first Scottish Parliament in 1999. He is Chair of Lar Housing Trust, a member of the Privy Council, and a board member of Revenue Scotland. He plays football, tennis and golf, but none of them very well. He is married to Claire and the couple have six children. 

Olivia Brown is vice chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and represents the constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh. SYP has been an integral campaigner on many issues, such as votes at 16, equal marriage and more recently, UNCRC incorporation. Since joining SYP, Olivia has spent time working with other MSYPs on matters she cares deeply about, such as education and sustainable fashion. This has involved many incredible opportunities, such as attending SYP’s annual joint meeting with the First Minister and his cabinet, giving evidence in Westminster and featuring in a BBC documentary.

Interpreters: Jemina Napier and Andy Carmichael