Policy Research Media Morhamburn

The birth of a nation, a First Minister resigning, “a Taxi for MacLetchie,” financial ignominy, collapsing roofs, “fire-raising peers,” electoral fiasco…independence?

10 years on from devolution political journalists and picture editors scramble to assemble to the right mix of sensationalist clichés iconic images and wild speculation to commemorate this ‘historic event,’ before clocking off for the weekend. The past decade at the Scottish Parliament has certainly kept us entertained, and producing a glossy pull-out or two to mark the occasion will not be too difficult.

But apart from our continual amusement and fascination, what has actually been achieved by this institution? It could be argued that the scrapping of up-front tuition fees, free personal care for the elderly and the cutting of prescription charges have all brought significant material benefits to the weakest in society.

Above all, however, they mark out Scotland as politically distinct from the UK. This should not be viewed as a mere nationalist rallying cry. Instead, such legislation fits in to a broader form of innovative politics that all parties within Holyrood have worked hard to develop. It was initially derided as parochial and insignificant; a politician’s graveyard populated with jumped-up ‘cooncil’ men. However, the Parliament’s greatest achievement has been in changing its public perception. Through coalition government and first-past-the-post it has worked hard to gain respect throughout the U.K. This change in political culture has been to its credit.

Although Holyrood can sometimes remain a place of high farce, it can also claim to be held up by London broadsheets as an example of the ‘new politics,’ a breath of fresh air compared to the corrupt backstabbing of a Westminster crippled by greedy politicians.

Amidst claims of nationwide political apathy and allegations of an uncertain constitutional future, the Parliament’s fight to prove itself as an exciting, progressive and worthy  place to be must be viewed as its biggest success.