By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, paid tribute to residents of Dumbarton during a landmark event to mark the 25th anniversary of the Holyrood Parliament recently.
He thanked residents who have turned out to elect his deputy, Jackie Baillie, who has served the constituency since 1999.
In a keynote speech to an invited audience at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Tuesday, Mr Sarwar reflected on his party’s role in delivering devolution in Scotland.
He also remembered the role played by the late former Labour leader John Smith, who paved the way for the resurrection of devolution, declaring a Scottish Parliament to be: “the settled will of the Scottish people”.
Mr Smith died before he could see the Holyrood administration established, however, his friend – the late Donald Dewar – went on to become Scotland’s inaugural First Minister.
Both men were mentioned in Mr Sarwar’s speech, which echoed the words of Mr Smith, saying: “The opportunity to serve – that is all we ask.”
Mr Sarwar echoed the need for “democratic and social renewal” across Scotland and committed to strengthening democracy, saying: “There is no escaping the fact that the opportunities of devolution have been squandered by the SNP.
“Too often this government is distracted by its narrow obsessions and internal divisions.”
He outlined Labour’s achievements in government, including the introduction of free nursing and personal care, free eye tests and central heating for older people, as well as their contribution to education and policing.
Mr Sarwar, pictured right, said: “Twenty-five years ago, Winnie Ewing opened the first session of our new parliament with the words ‘the Scottish Parliament, which adjourned on 25 March 1707, is hereby reconvened’.
“That historic moment marked the end of a long and hard-fought journey to achieve Scottish devolution, championed and delivered by a Labour government.”
He also paid tribute to the voters of Jackie Baillie’s Dumbarton constituency, adding: “When you look through the official report for that day in 1999, there are many familiar names who took the oath as they became the very first members of our new Scottish Parliament. Among them is one Jackie Ballie – Dumbarton – Scottish Labour.
“A seat that has remained in Labour hands at every election since, thanks to the people of Dumbarton constituency who continue to put their trust in Jackie. They couldn’t ask for a better local representative, and I couldn’t ask for a better deputy.”
Jackie Baillie also addressed the event, marking Labour’s achievements, which also saw Loch Lomond and Trossachs designated as Scotland’s first National Park and pointed to the party’s commitment to tackling homelessness and poverty head-on.
She added: “This was the change that Scottish Labour made. And I was proud to serve in that first Scottish Labour government led by Donald Dewar.
“But now, the need for change could not be clearer, 17 years of SNP failure have led to collapsing public services, slow economic growth and sleaze and scandal seeping into Holyrood.
“That’s why Scottish Labour is committed to re-setting devolution so that it works for everyone, tackling sleaze and increasing transparency – so Scots can hold their MSPs to account.
“We need new faces and fresh ideas at the top – politicians who will put country before party and serve the people.
“25 years ago, Scottish Labour changed Scotland for the better. We are ready to do so again.”