Description
Book SynopsisBased on the research of a small advisory group formed of key figures in the Scottish Parliament, Jim Johnston and James Mitchell use their extensive experience of Scottish politics to discuss ideas about the Parliament’s future. Sir Paul Grice, Holyrood chief executive, is chairing the advisory group which includes members such as former PO George Reid, Caroline Gardner (Auditor General), Louise MacDonald (chief exec Young Scot), and Sarah Davidson (civil servant). Made up of a series of short essays, this book discusses vital issues such as public engagement, key challenges for the Parliament arising from issues such as Brexit, and what we can learn from the past. This book is truly essential read in this uncertain but exciting time for Scottish politics.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 7 Open the Doors! EDWIN MORGAN 8 Foreword: KEN MACINTOSH MSP 11 Introduction: JIM JOHNSTON AND JAMES MITCHELL 13 1 Doing Right by the Common Weal BERNARD PONSONBY 23 Dear Scottish Parliament... Alicja Hertmanowska 32 2 A Building Which is More Than a Building GILLIAN BAXENDINE 33 Dear Scottish Parliament... 43 3 A Tale of Two Parliaments LEE BRIDGES 44 4 The MSP’s Role ALAN CONVERY AND DAVID PARKER 54 Dear Scottish Parliament... Claire Hossack 64 5 Parliament and Business: An Unfulfilled Relationship? MICHAEL CROW 65 Dear Scottish Parliament... Dionne Hossack 76 6 People-Powered Politics FIONA DUNCAN 77 7 Local Government and the Scottish Parliament: Parity of Esteem? ALISON EVISON 89 Dear Scottish Parliament... Ellie Gauld 99 8 Scrutiny and Transparency CAROLINE GARDNER 101 Dear Scottish Parliament... Emma Cook 112 9 Raising Taxes CHARLOTTE BARBOUR AND MORIA KELLY 113 10 Twenty Years of Devolution: Small Steps Towards Equality, But We Need Big Leaps TALAT YAQOOB 127 Dear Scottish Parliament... Etieno Essien 136 11 Some Questions on Sovereignty and Free Speech CHARLES ROBERT 137 Dear Scottish Parliament... Ewan Carmichael 149 12 A New Voice in the Land JIM WALLACE 150 Dear Scottish Parliament... Hope Teal 160 13 The Role of Law CHRISTINE O'NEILL 161 14 The Scottish Economy: Fiscal Challenges and Opportunities GRAEME ROY AND DAVID EISER 170 Dear Scottish Parliament... Quinn Muirhead 180 15 Principles and Practices of the Good Parliament: Babyleave, Institutional Resistance and Change SARAH CHILDS 181 Dear Scottish Parliament... Robyn Gibson 190 16 Look, Listen: This is Who We Are JAMES ROBERTSON 191 Conclusion: The Scottish Parliament in a Changing World JIM JOHNSTON AND JAMES MITCHELL 201 Appendix: A User’s Guide to the Scottish Parliament ELIZABETH CANTLIE AND ANDREW AITON 210 Contributor Biographies 219
