MSPs sworn into new Scottish Parliament

Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011 12:48

MEMBERS of the Scottish Parliament - old and new - were sworn in today following the SNP's landslide victory in the Holyrood election last week.

• Alex Salmond takes the oath of allegiance

First Minister Alex Salmond took his place in the chamber as all 129 MSPs began the official process of taking the oath of allegiance or solemn affirmation, using languages such as Gaelic, Italian and Urdu.

Before raising his right hand to swear allegiance to the Queen, Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish National Party's primary loyalty is to the people of Scotland, in line with the Scottish constitutional tradition of the sovereignty of the people."

The oath-taking preceded the election of SNP MSP Tricia Marwick as the Parliament's new presiding officer.

In a secret ballot of MSPs, Ms Marwick received 73 votes in a final run-off against Labour's Hugh Henry, who got 55 votes. A first round eliminated her SNP colleague Christine Grahame.

Outgoing Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson earlier took charge of proceedings for the last time - and started by introducing Mr Salmond as MSP for the wrong constituency.

Mr Fergusson, who returns as MSP for Galloway and Dumfries West, incorrectly called Mr Salmond forward as the member for Aberdeenshire West.

After the oath was taken, Mr Fergusson told the chamber: "Just for the record, Alex Salmond, of course, represents Aberdeenshire East."

He was followed by party leaders for the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats - all of whom have decided to resign from their roles after the unprecedented SNP election win last week.

Labour leader Iain Gray will leave his post in autumn, Tory leader Annabel Goldie is expected to leave in a leadership election next year and Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott resigned with immediate effect on Saturday.

Green co-convener Patrick Harvie, who is the only opposition leader not to offer a resignation, was the first to take the non-religious affirmation, rather than the oath.

Parliament's 69 SNP MSPs wore white roses on their lapels while Labour members wore red roses. Some were dressed in kilts and other traditional dress, including a sherwani with a tartan plaid worn by Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf.