The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade

Publications / Reports

The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade

1 Jan 2009

This 2009 publication was the first book about the new Scottish Parliament. It brought together a distinguished group of parliamentarians, commentators and academics to review the achievements, limits and challenges of the new Scottish Parliament after its first ten years.

The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade is a collection of essays by leading figures edited by Professors Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell. In reviewing the first 10 years of the new Parliament's existence, across a wide range of topics, the book tackled key questions including:

To what extent have the founding principles for the Scottish Parliament set out by the Consultative Steering Group been delivered - access and participation, equal opportunities, accountability and power-sharing?
Has the Parliament changed how politics is done in Scotland?
Has the Parliament matured into an effective legislative body?
Have relationships between government, the Parliament and outside stakeholders in local government, interest groups and quangos been improved?
What’s the view from Westminster?
How does the Scottish Parliament fit into the UK’s changing constitutional architecture?

Foreword Alex Fergusson MSP, Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament
- Chapter 1 Introduction: The First Decade in Perspective Emma Megaughin and Charlie Jeffery
The Parliament in Practice
- Chapter 2 A Dozen Differences of Devolution Lord Steel of Aikwood
- Chapter 3 Committees in the Scottish Parliament Chris Carman and Mark Shephard
- Chapter 4 The Legislative Process: The Parliament in Practice James Johnston
- Chapter 5 The New Scottish Statute Book: The Scottish Parliament's Legislative Record since 1999 Michael Keating and Paul Cairney
The Founding Principles
- Chapter 6 Access and Participation: Aiming High Bill Thomson
- Chapter 7 Travelling the Distance? Equal Opportunities and the Scottish Parliament Fiona Mackay
- Chapter 8 Parliamentary Accountability: Aspiration or Reality? Chris Himsworth
- Chapter 9 The Principle of Power-Sharing, 10 Years On Joyce McMillan
Representative Process
- Chapter 10 The Scottish Parliament Electoral System: Can Credibility be Restored? Nicola McEwen
- Chapter 11 New Parliament, New Elections James Mitchell and Robert Johns
- Chapter 12 Do Devolved Elections Work? John Curtice
- Chapter 13 Conundrums and Contradictions: What Scotland Wants David McCrone
Stakeholders
- Chapter 14 New Scottish Parliament, Same Old Interest Group Politics? Paul Cairney, Darren Halpin and Grant Jordan
- Chapter 15 Civil Society and the Parliament Lindsay Paterson
- Chapter 16 The Media and Parliament Brian McNair
- Chapter 17 Centre and Locality in Scottish Politics: From Bi- to Tri-partite Relations Neil McGarvey
- Chapter 18 Quangos, Agencies and the Scottish Parliament Richard Parry
The View from Elsewhere
- Chapter 19 The Scottish Parliament as seen from London Peter Riddell
- Chapter 20 Opening Doors: Devolution in Wales and the Scottish Parliament, 1999-2009 Alan Trench
Futures
- Chapter 21 The Scottish Parliament, Constitutional Change and the UK's Haphazard Union Charlie Jeffery

Latest / Highlights

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 20-24 April 2026

The Prime Minister will make a statement on recent revelations concerning the security vetting of Peter Mandelson. The Foreign Affairs Committee may hear from Olly Robbins, the civil servant who headed the Foreign Office who was sacked last week. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is also set to face oral questions from MPs. Legislative “ping-pong” between the two Houses continues on the English Devolution, Victims and Courts, Pension Schemes, Crime and Policing, Children’s Wellbeing and Schools, and Tobacco and Vapes Bills. The assisted dying bill reaches its final scheduled day of debate before the Session ends. There are general debates in the Commons on allied health professionals and on reform of the DVLA, and in the Lords on clean energy and rural communities and on cancer outcomes. The Joint Committee on Human Rights will question the Northern Ireland Secretary on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

News / Dynamic alignment and Henry VIII powers: What will the Government’s EU reset mean for Parliament? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 139

A major “EU reset” bill could allow Ministers to dynamically align UK law with EU rules using so-called Henry VIII powers, raising fresh questions about Parliament’s role and scrutiny. We are joined by Professor Catherine Barnard to explore the trade-offs and implications. We also examine Parliament’s surprise block on Church of England governance reforms and ask whether shutting down Parliament for a two-week prorogation – when it cannot be recalled – is wise in an increasingly unstable world. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

Submissions / Written Parliamentary Questions - Our evidence to the House of Commons Procedure Committee

The use of Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs) is rising sharply. Since July 2024, MPs have tabled questions at unprecedented levels. By late 2025 MPs were tabling over 600 per sitting day, more than double the long-term average. WPQs are a cornerstone of parliamentary scrutiny, helping MPs obtain information, challenge government policy and put issues on the public record. But this surge raises important questions about how Parliament balances transparency and accountability with the practical limits of the system. The House of Commons Procedure Committee is now examining the issue and has just published our submission containing our latest data and analysis.

News / Will key Government bills pass by the end of the parliamentary Session? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 138

With the King’s Speech set for 13 May, attention turns to the end of the current parliamentary Session and the frantic “wash-up” period before prorogation, likely in late April. We assess which Bills can still make it through in the remaining sitting days. With major Lords amendments on issues including revenge porn, social media access for under-16s, court transcripts and AI safety, Ministers face intense pressure and possible concessions. We also examine the political stakes around the Chagos Islands Bill and the stalled Hillsborough Law. The episode also answers listener questions on parliamentary procedure and reform, before exploring the sharp rise in Written Parliamentary Questions and what it means for effective scrutiny in Westminster. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

News / Who really decides Immigration Rules: Parliament or the Home Secretary? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 137

Who really controls immigration law when Ministers can rewrite key rules with minimal parliamentary scrutiny? Jonathan Featonby of the Refugee Council explains the Home Secretary’s far-reaching powers over Immigration Rules. We also discuss the Crime and Policing Bill, where amendments on AI and abortion highlight the challenges posed by rushed law-making and executive overreach. And we look ahead to the next phase of the assisted dying debate, as supporters in the House of Commons prepare for a renewed legislative push in the next parliamentary Session. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS