Queen tells Scottish parliament to build on strong foundations

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 13:07

THE Queen urged the Scottish Parliament today to continue to reflect the "priorities and aspirations" of all the people of Scotland.

The call came in a speech to MSPs to mark 10 years of devolution in Scotland.

To make the speech she travelled the short distance from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, across the road from the new Parliament building.

She inaugurated the new Parliament in its then temporary home on July 1 1999 and today was the sixth time she addressed the MSPs.

Her audience included children born exactly 10 years ago, for whom a party was later held by Holyrood authorities.

In her speech the Queen recalled "the great sense of anticipation throughout the United Kingdom" as the first Scottish Parliament in nearly 300 years assumed its legislative powers in 1999.

She said: "In my address, I noted you had set yourself a great challenge – to be a modern Parliament, one which connects with the people of Scotland in a climate of openness and accessibility."

She had since followed its progress "with great interest" and had been struck by MSPs' spirit of "engagement and innovation" as they sought to fulfil their commitment to serve the people of Scotland.

The Queen went on: "Over this last decade, members of the Scottish Parliament past and present have worked hard to address the issues of real importance to the Scottish people and have firmly embedded this Parliament as an institution at the heart of Scottish life and culture.

"Your challenge over the coming years is to take the Scottish Parliament forward on the next stage of its journey, to build upon those strong foundations, to ensure that it continues to reflect the priorities and aspirations of all of Scotland's people and to retain the public's confidence and trust."

Arriving at the Parliament earlier, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were greeted by Scotland's party leaders in the Garden Lobby.

They met First Minister Alex Salmond before being introduced to Labour leader Iain Gray, Tory leader Annabel Goldie and Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott.

The Queen, who appeared to be struggling with a cold, wore a cream outfit with a faint black pattern.

She was accompanied by Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson, wearing trews in the Scottish Parliament's own tartan.

The Queen and Duke arrived in the main chamber to a fanfare by the Royal Scottish Academy Brass.

SNP MSPs sported traditional white roses of Scotland in their lapels, continuing a tradition established 10 years ago.

The symbol takes its name from a poem by Scots poet Hugh McDiarmid.

The Presiding Officer told the Queen and guests that engaging with the public had been the "defining characteristic" of the Parliament.

It was on course to receive its 2.5 millionth visitor this year and had welcomed 55,000 schoolchildren through its education programme, he said.

The Presiding Officer said: "In our 10th anniversary year, we find ourselves in a Parliament that has established itself as one of the most open and innovative in Europe.

"But we must never rest on our laurels and that is why we are using our 10th anniversary as a platform to further strengthen our public engagement work."

Mr Fergusson said the Queen had offered "gentle encouragement and wise counsel" on the five occasions she had addressed the Parliament.

And he told of the different characteristics of the three parliamentary sessions so far.

The first saw the formation of a coalition government, the second saw a "rainbow Parliament" of seven parties and the third had brought minority government for the first time.

"In each case the Parliament has continued to make new laws and to hold the Government to account on behalf of the people of Scotland.

"That it has been able to do so through periods of considerable development and change is a credit to all those who have served as its members as well as the staff who support them."