The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009

About the Book: 

12 May 2009 marks 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 its achievements? Has it matured into the effective legislative body that so many hoped for? 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 past decade.

About the Author:

CHARLIE JEFFERY holds a chair in Politics at the University of Edinburgh and is Vice Chair of the Hansard Society Scotland Working Group. He directed the Economic and Social Research Council's research programme on Devolution and Constitutional Change from 2000-6. He is a member of Council of the Economic and Social Research Council and chairs its Strategic Research Board. He has been an adviser to the House of Commons Select Committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the EU Committee of the Regions.

JAMES MITCHELL holds the chair in Public Policy and is Director of the Academy of Government at the University of Edinburgh. He previously held chairs at the University of Strathclyde and Sheffield. His research has included studies of political parties and public opinion in Scotland. His most recent work has included studies of the SNP, Scottish elections and the independence referendum. All of his work is informed by an appreciation of the importance of the past in its impact on current concerns.