³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Is it really 10 years? A decade since the devolved Scottish Parliament was first elected or - to borrow Winnie Ewing's decidedly deft phrase - reconvened.

Do you remember the coalition negotiations between Labour and the Liberal Democrats?

My recollection is that I spent roughly a year doorstepping the talks, standing outside that hideous building on the Lawnmarket, since demolished, which provided a temporary home for MSPs.

In fact, the coalition deal was signed on the 14th of May, only just a week after the election.

Do you remember the early row over the choice of Holyrood as the permanent home?

That went on for months, right? No, it was pre-empted by Donald Dewar's decision as Secretary of State.

MSPs voted to endorse Holyrood on June the 17th. The row, of course, continued.
Do you remember the campaign which led up to the election?

Remember these moments?

• March 12, John Swinney confirms a "Penny for Scotland", a plan to use the "Tartan Tax" to reverse a UK cut in the standard rate of income tax

• March 21, David McLetchie says the Tories would, in the last analysis, vote with Labour to thwart the SNP

• March 29, Alex Salmond calls the bombing of Kosovo "unpardonable folly"

• April 22, Alex Salmond cancels news conferences in favour of street campaigning. Says he wants to "get our jaickets off and get stuck in"

• April 30, Tony Blair in Glasgow; William Hague in Edinburgh; SNP publish economic strategy for independence

• May 4, Jim Wallace says the public have made the abolition of tuition fees "non-negotiable"

• May 5, rumours of rift between Donald Dewar and Gordon Brown over strategy

• May 6, pouring rain across Scotland after days of warm weather

A remarkable campaign, a remarkable election - and the prelude to 10 remarkable years.

PS: Watch out for more ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland coverage on Wednesday of the anniversary of the elections.

Plus - an early plug - watch out for my telly documentary on June 30, the eve of the anniversary of the Royal Opening.

PPS: Welcome your comments as ever. Would remind you, gently, that it is one of the house rules that responses should not stray from the particular topic on offer.

This is designed to ensure that, in the interests of all readers, there can be focused, substantive debate.

Over a prolonged period, it means that the broadest possible range of topics can be aired.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?