text:
James Corden As Grammys Host, Shares Career Success Secret
Feb 10, 2017 AM EST "Late Late Show" host James Corden is going to host this year's Grammys and shares his secret to success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Movie Career Did Not Make Him Famous, Here's Why
Feb 08, 2017 AM EST Former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger did not earn his first million dollars with acting.
Ryan Reynolds Movies Got Him Kisses And Harvard's Hasty Pudding Man Of The Year Award 2017
Feb 06, 2017 AM EST Ryan Reynolds was recently named as Harvard's Hasty Pudding man of the Year.
Emma Stone's Net Worth, Career Soars From 'La La Land': Lessons Actor Hopefuls Can Learn
Jan 30, 2017 AM EST Emma Stone started acting in 2010 and is now one of Hollywood's successful actresses.
Matthew McConaughey, Austin's Professor At University Of Texas Is Living The Teaching Dream
Jan 28, 2017 AM EST Matthew McConaughey is teaching the science behind film making at the University of Texas at Austin.
Millennials Are Willing To Sacrifice Education For Fame
Jan 27, 2017 AM EST According to a recent study, millennials are willing to risk everything to become famous.
UCLA Study On Hollywood Gender Bias Has Reese Witherspoon Feeling Strongly About The Issue
Jan 17, 2017 AM EST Reese Witherspoon has had enough of gender bias - something a UCLA report revealed.
James McAvoy Faked His Way To Get An Acting Career In Hollywood
Dec 21, 2016 AM EST James McAvoy pretended to be an English posh in order to make it in Hollywood.
Zsa Zsa Gabor Dead But Still Alive For Actors Everywhere
Dec 20, 2016 AM EST Everybody wants to be like Zsa Zsa Gabor. She died from a heart attack a few days ago.
'Jason Bourne' Actor Matt Damon's Career Advice
Dec 10, 2016 AM EST Matt Damon's career is used as a learning subject for his successes and failures.
Tom Hanks Talks Acting To Cuyahoga Community College Students And They Learned Alot
Dec 08, 2016 AM EST After receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Tom Hanks talks to the students about his career.
Acting Career News: So You Want To Be An Actor?
Dec 06, 2016 AM EST A recent case study features the life of an unemployed young actor and his acting career.
'Office Christmas Party' Actress Olivia Munn Wants Roles Featuring Smart Women
Dec 06, 2016 AM EST Actress Olivia Munn favors roles that focuses on brains over beauty like her role in "Office Christmas Party!"
'Sully' Actor Tom Hanks Reveals Arts Education Is Important
Dec 05, 2016 AM EST Congressional Medal of Freedom recipient, Tom Hanks, says arts is important.
'The Brady Bunch' Cast: Career After Brady Years
Nov 29, 2016 PM EST What happened to "The Brady Bunch"? Here's a snapshot of their careers after their big break.


Re: Who here has Instagram?
I didn't realize that Dark Defender was her. She has some of the best ops I've ever seen. Totally deserving of follows by any IG users here.
Your Ruffalo op has to be one of the greatest photos I've ever seen. Only giving credit where it's due.
HorrorMovieBBQ, which is also the name of my blog. I've been having a lot of fun blogging, so practically all my SM handles are named after my blog. Come follow me and I'll be happy to return the favor!
Just an FYI but Instagram's desktop site now has the stories/videos available, in case you're like me and too lazy to go on the phone app!
PS: New Firefox for Windows is terrific, huge performance improvement.


text:
Surat Basin
LETTERS: No one should go through mental illness alone
mental health generic photographer - Andrew Lee
Suicide commissioner a vital step for veteran support
Mates4Mates has welcomed new legislation from the Government, bringing the establishment of a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention one step closer.
At Mates4Mates, we see first-hand the impact of mental health issues on veterans and their families, and the risk of suicide, and will continue to support steps being taken to combat this.
Over the past year the discussion and awareness around suicide among veterans has been gaining momentum, locally and nationally, but we know there's still more work to be done in this space to ensure suicides are reduced.
Right now, the need is more important than ever, with some veterans experiencing increased levels of distress and isolation due to COVID-19.
No one - military personnel, veterans or everyday Australians - should have to go through mental illness alone and our thoughts remain with all families and individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.
At Mates4Mates, we will continue to work hard to support veterans and their families and we encourage locals to reach out in times of need.
For support, phone Mates4Mates on 1300 462 837, speak with a trusted GP, or call Open Arms or Lifeline.
Troy Watson
CEO, Mates4Mates
SMS TO THE EDITOR
AS, ROCKY: I might be wrong but I thought there was going to be a lower speed limit on the Yeppoon Road at the intersection with Artillery and Dairy Inn Roads. Was driving down to Yeppoon the other day and there was no lower speed limit. On our way back we turned into Artillery Road. There was a new sign of 60 klms on the approach to this intersection. It looks to me the speed sign has been put up on the wrong road. It should have been on the Yeppoon Road to slow down the traffic at this intersection. Again I might be wrong.
HARRY'S VIEW ON KATTER PARTY PROMISE FOR $1M UPGRADE FOR TOUCH OF PARADISE LAGOON
Harry's view on Gracemere's Touch Of Paradise Lagoon at Cedric Archer Park to receive a $1 million upgrade for its second stage if Katter's Australian Party wins the Rockhampton seat.
A woman trying desperately to come home for her dad's final Father's Day says she cannot understand why Queensland refuses to let her across the border.
Sharlene Speer Omg there has to be some compassion here this is going to be around for awhile they need some procedure in place to assess this situation and others who are going to be experiencing it as well come on governments do something also about people being able to go overseas to see sick family members use tracing apps on phones etc
Salv Ochoa Sign of the times … father's day is a commercially made day anyway, any day can be Father's Day
Bill W Shanahan Seems like genuine case to be allowed in. What sticks in my neck is that a 'person' who wants to be super dad is allowed to cross the border at leisure is allowed without question.
Heather Morier Why do people think they are more important than any one else
Send in your letters to the editor and texts to be featured online.
Email: tmbully@capnews.com.au
SMS the editor on 0428 634 025 with the word ROCK and a space in front of your message.
Premium Content When will the voice of the silent majority be heard?
harry bruce cartoon
letters to the editor morning bulletin
harry bruce cartoon letters to the editor morning bulletin sms to the editor
© The Dalby Herald Pty Limited 2021. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited under the laws of Australia and by international treaty.
About Dalby Herald
From Monday 29 June 2020, Dalby Herald will become entirely digital and as a result, the digital print edition will no longer be available.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Relationships between two people are very complex, and the ties between them may be like the layers of an onion. If they are together for a long time, there are many shared experiences that enhance or color the relationship. The needs and wants of each person must be considered for the relationship to flourish, but giving too much consideration may lead a partner down the road towards being overwhelmed. Getting involved in another person's life requires commitment, and this can strain anyone's ability to cope with life.
Humans are very social creatures, so staying out of all relationships is not the answer for most people. Some of them may be able to stave off their need for companionship for a short time, but the lack of company can lead to loneliness and depression. This will put a strain on all facets of their life, so they must find a way to get what they need from others without making a commitment that will turn them inside out. There are ways to accomplish this type of companionship, but a person must be open-minded to new ideas.
There are few people who feel comfortable with casual flings, yet they can be the answer to satisfying physical needs for another person without involvement or commitment issues. Finding someone who is open to this type of scenario used to be incredibly difficult, but the internet has changed the way people meet. There are now online services like Shag Local that will help people get together on terms they can accept, and there are no worries about taking someone new home to meet the family.
It may seem to be emotionally distancing to experience nothing more than a casual fling with another person, but it can help clear the air when romance is not a current need. Relating physically, without the stresses of a relationship, is a good way to stay connected to other humans. This type of arrangement is perfect for those who have busy lives or just need to feel relaxed in the company of another person. No commitment gives each party the freedom they need to enjoy the moment, and it can further enhance their mutual experience.
Finding a forever partner may be an eventual goal, but many people are now concerned with concentrating on schooling, career, and even their current family commitments before finding the right one for the rest of their lives. It is not mandatory that they give up all their needs to attain their goals, and connecting with someone for a casual fling is a good way to make sure they get what they need.
Socialization in the modern world now occurs in new and different ways, and the internet has permanently changed how people interact in their social spheres. Some may crave only permanent relationships, but there are many who need someone only for today. It is easier than ever to click and connect, so enjoying a few hours with a new friend is a good way to stay human without stressing over making an impossible commitment.


The eXperience 580 has the power,precision and convenience you need to enhance your creative potential.
Packed full of features, this machine allows you to create stunning work at the touch of a button. Enjoy using any of the 120 built in stitches, 25 unique Elna stitches and 7 one step button holes!
The Elna 580 is equipped with the latest technology including the Superior Feed System 7 piece feed dogs, 91 needle positions, and six white LED lights for excellent visibility.
Large and spacious workspace 210 mm x 120 mm /8.25" x 4.7"


We've been here at Yale for a day and a half. Otto continues to have a fever. He tested positive for a bacterial infection, however, we continue to wait to see which specific strand it is and which antibiotics will fully get rid of it.
He continues to go through periods of feeling extremely hot followed by feeing chilled. He has little appetite, however, the doctors and nurses have reassured us that this is ok since his fever hasn't broke yet.
He will continue to get round the clock antibiotics until more information is learned. Until then, we continue to pray that he gets through this.


Ag-Grow Emerald is ideally located in Emerald, Central Queensland…Ag-Grow is one of the most successful marketing events available to businesses wishing to access the agricultural and associated demographic of Central Western Queensland and beyond.
Now recognized as an event of events it has grown to become not just one of the largest spending field days on the national circuit but a social event of the year for the surrounding rural communities.
It has created a momentum of its own as it defies challenges such as the drought and subsequent economic conditions and continues to grow consistently introducing annually a minimum of 30 – 50 new exhibitors.
As the Major Sponsor to AG-Grow 2019, Granular Products is proud to welcome you to this amazing event, celebrating 30 years of bringing farming communities together to learn, share and mingle together.
Granular Products is an Australian owned and manufactured business based in Rockhampton. We are uniquely dedicated to the development, production and supply of high quality granular herbicides that increase productivity in Australian conditions. Our formulations offer logistical savings on large aerial applications, 100% recovery of active constituent at ground level, no spray drift and no off-target damage. Smaller scale hand application options are also available to ensure initial outbreaks are also conveniently controlled.
Our business has been built from personal relationships and a commitment to listening to our customers; and our experience in aerial application and extensive history in farming allows us to remain at the forefront of herbicide innovation, specifically for Australian conditions. Innovations such as GP Regain, GP Regain 400 and GP Flupropanate go hand-in-hand with our team who are committed to working with you to provide solutions specific to your farm and your needs.
Come and see us at Granular Products AgGrow 2019, we look forward to it.
Showcase your business to hundreds of people.
Request for your display sites, cattle sites, stock panels & more here.
Finch Engineering have been attending the Ag-Grow Field Days every year since its inception. The Field day has proved invaluable for following up with both new and existing customers, also allowing us to actually demonstrate the product on display. We strive to support our local Farmers in this ever evolving industry, it is our opinion that Ag-Grow is one of the best places to showcase our new model Next Generation Chaser Bins, Mother Bins and Grain Augers.
AC Backrubs has been attending AgGrow field days for over 10 years and find the show very well organized and friendly and to have the same site every year is great for our customers who know where to find us, it's a credit to the organization and staff who are involved.We have the opportunity to catch up with other long term exhibitors and enjoy their company and the show and relax like it's a working holiday.
Central Highlands Auto attends AgGrow every year, because it works great for us!!!
We have been attending AgGrow for the past 20 years, we have found it to be the most affective way to showcase our new products & meet new clients and keep in contact with existing one's in Central Queensland. AgGrow is the most user friendly Field Day in Australia.


text:
<?php
session_start();

	// Den här rutinen används för att importera en lista över arbetsenheter i Svenska Frimurare Orden.
	// Listan hämtas från datorn med närvaroprogrammet (Sekreteraren vet vilken) och ligger vanligtvis här:
	// C:/Program/NärvaroRegistrering/arbetsenheter.xml
	// Denna fil måste göras om till en ny fil som heter arbetsenheter.csv och den måste ligga i samma mapp
	// som denna rutin. Titta först på den befintliga arbetsenheter.csv och lägg märke till hur den ser ut.
	// OBServera att den här listan bara behöver uppdateras om någon ny loge eller arbetsenhet skapats!
	// 2011-01-17 Johan Billing, Malmö

	// Make connection to database and empty the arbetsenheter database.
	require ('konfig.php');
		$db = mysqli_connect($server, $db_user, $db_pass);
		mysqli_select_db($db,$database);
		mysqli_query($db,"TRUNCATE arbetsenheter");

	// Import data from CSV-file and update arbetsenheter database.
	if (($handle = fopen("arbetsenheter.csv", "r")) !== FALSE) {
		while (($data = fgetcsv($handle, 1000, ",")) !== FALSE) {

		// Get data from CSV-file and assign it to the various strings.
		$ENHETNR		= $data[0];					// The unit's number as stated by the SFMO.
		$ENHETNAMN		= $data[1];					// The unit's name.

		// Output strings to the arbetsenheter database.
		$WriteData = "INSERT INTO arbetsenheter (ENHETNR, ENHETNAMN) VALUES ('$ENHETNR','$ENHETNAMN')";
		if (!$result = mysqli_query($db,$WriteData)) {
			die('Invalid query: ' . mysqli_error($db));
			}
		}
	// Close CSV-file.
	fclose($handle);
	}

	// Return to fm.php.
	header("Location: ../administation/administrera.php");
	exit;
?>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


SUTTON – While Sutton is close to an offer for a new contractor for the school project, the project's former contractor has filed a lawsuit with the town.
Town Administrator Jim Smith said at the Board of Selectmen's Jan. 21 meeting that he received a copy of a lawsuit filed back on Jan. 2 by TLT Construction, the original general contractor, whose contract was terminated by the town in October. Smith termed the lawsuit "confidential" and not public information, but it was available for the selectmen to view.
Smith reversed himself the next day and made a copy of the lawsuit available to the Chronicle. The lawsuit charges the town of Sutton with a variety of things including wrongful termination, indemnification, breach of contract, quantum meruit (failure to pay a workman what he is owed), unjust enrichment, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, failure to mitigate, wrongful interference, and declaratory judgment.
The town administrator said town counsel was preparing a response to the suit and Smith said that he was pleased with the initial response.
"Obviously, the town's position is that the lawsuit is completely unfounded," said Smith. "It will probably take a number of years to be settled and ultimately maybe end up in mediation."
Smith said town counsel continues to work with Western Surety, the company that holds the bond for the Sutton Middle School/ High School Building project, on a final tender offer to be presented to the Board of Selectmen.
"I continued to hold out hope that it was going to be this week," said Smith, "but Wednesday I realized that it wasn't going to make it." If it can be done next week, said Smith, he would try to get enough selectmen together to hold a special meeting and make a decision.
Smith said Sutton building commissioner John Couture and SBS representatives visited G&R Construction, the company Western Surety has proposed as the new general contractor, at their office in Quincy. During a couple of hours, they got to know the company better, said Smith. He added Couture was very impressed with the company, stating there was no one whose judgment he trusted more. Just to be safe, Smith said he sent Couture to visit some current G&R projects. Couture said the sites were "immaculate" during these unannounced visits which Smith saw as a vote of confidence in G&R's ability to complete the Sutton project.
"At this point, I've told town counsel to stick to your guns, to stick to our guns," said Smith. "We don't want to take a bad deal just for the sake of time. Obviously, time is an issue and creating existing pressure on the community as well as on the Board but I don't want time to force us into a bad deal."
Smith said every proposal and counter proposal was run by him and as soon as there was a valid tender offer he would put together a special meeting and get it done quickly.
Selectman Rick Hersom asked what was wrong with the tender offer and Smith said that it was just a matter of getting on the same page. Smith said there was a little over $13 million left on the project and G&R's bid came in at over $17 million. He added the town had also submitted an estimate of an additional $1 million for things like additional time from SBS, the architect, legal cost, the costs associated with the move to Lifesong Church and other things.
"I think they're just going back and forth and negotiating," said Smith. He again stated that he has told town counsel not to "take a penny less than we are asking for."
Hersom asked if the surety company extends a tender offer to the town, the Board can then accept or reject the tender offer. If the Board of Selectmen rejected the offer, said Hersom, then the town would end up with a different set of rights and responsibilities. Smith said the surety had a number of options. It could cut a check to the town and force it to rebid the project, something Smith said would be difficult. It could also potentially offer the town the second and third bidder at their bid prices, but he did not know what those prices were. He did know that G&R was the lowest of the three bids.
Budget 'relatively good'- Smith said he has been working on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year with Town Accountant Tim Harrison. "The numbers look relatively good," said Smith, although the town has yet to receive the state aid numbers. Because it was an election year, Smith said he expected the legislature to fall in line with the governor's budget. He added that revenues were up significantly past the benchmark levels.
"So, I'm optimistic at this point in time," said Smith. He said he included a draft capital plan for the Board's consideration.
Smith told the selectmen the town has been paying $1,000 for a small piece of property adjacent to the Highway Department barn and the town has a maintained a salt shed there. He said he has just received a letter from the property's owner, RK Centers that the rent was going to be increased to $2,000 per month or $24,000 per year. He said this was simply too much money and the Highway Department has now reconstructed the shed on town property.
He also said the town has gone out to bid on the sand stored at the site and Worcester Sand and Gravel had submitted a winning bid of around $9,500. Once the sand is removed, Sutton will be pretty much done with that site. He said this only makes the need for a new Highway Department facility more obvious.


Glass Display Trophy Cabinets schools are a great way to display your School Trophies, accolades and the Children's work as well! Wherever you want your cabinet to be situated, in your reception, lobby or corridor you can be sure that your visitors will be impressed and your Children safe.
We can design your School the ideal Glass Display Trophy Cabinet using the DesignEx system; our unique corner posts allow us to design cabinets that are, bespoke and very strong. The corner posts have the added benefit of hiding any lighting cables and unsightly fixings allowing the viewer to concentrate on those all-important trophies. DesignEx also supply a range of locks helping to ensure that your trophies remain safe and secure while on display.
The heart and soul of any school are of course the children, the DesignEx system allows us to design and build glass display cabinets of any size with shelves at an appropriate height for all age levels, whether your displaying models, pottery or other important pieces of work you can be sure its kept in a safe space while on display.
Do your cleaners a favour, internal dust can be a real problem with display cabinets, each DesignEx cabinet comes with a "rebated lip", fitted to the corner post which meets and conceals the edge of the sliding glass doors this is highly effective way of preventing dust entry.
Beautifully crafted and matches our other furniture perfectly. It took us a long time to find the cabinet we wanted but was well worth the wait.
The design is modern and sleek, yet it sits perfectly amongst my traditional oak furniture. I now have ample storage, robustly made to my personal specifications. I really appreciate all your efforts. The lighting in particular is a revelation and really makes the world of difference when displaying glass. In short, my new cabinet is magnificent.
Thank you so much for going the extra mile to obtain the Maple board and fabric back panel in order to create the unique design that I had envisaged. I just wanted you to know how thrilled and pleased I am with the cabinets. They look superb and perfect in every detail. You interpreted my specification precisely and your standard of workmanship and quality of finish are second to none.
Just wanted to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH again for the wonderful display cabinet! The best thing that I like about the cabinet is the lighting effects, they are perfectly fitted! You did a fantastic job and I can't thank you enough for the wonderful cabinet.
Tim, the cabinet has just been delivered safely and I couldn't be more pleased with it. Many thanks for your great service, and I look forward to populating it with my models over the coming weeks. It is beautifully made and extremely rigidly constructed, and will easily last out my remaining years.
Many thanks for the delivery of the two superb cabinets. I am really pleased with them and they fit perfectly in the room… …I am now rearranging the cars in order to get all of them fit, which is all part of the fun of displaying the collection.
The cabinet arrived safely and now sits in pride of place in my living room. I just wanted to let you know that I am very pleased indeed with your product and to express my appreciation for your help and guidance in developing the solution to my requirements.


text:
For the national legislative body before 1707, see Parliament of Scotland.
Pàrlamaid na h-Alba
Unicameral
Presiding Officer
Tricia Marwick MSP, SNP
since 11 May 2011
Cabinet Secretary for
and Government Strategy
Bruce Crawford MSP, SNP
Opposition Parties
Con (15)
Lib Dem (5)
Ind (1)
Europe and External Relations
Public Petitions
Standards and Public Appointments
Subordinate Legislation
Economy, Energy and Tourism
Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture
Local Government and Communities
Rural Affairs and Environment
Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Scheme
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change
Additional Members System
Last election
Next election
Scottish Parliament Building, Holyrood, Edinburgh
www.scottish.parliament.uk
The Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: The Scots Pairliament)[1][2][3][4] is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood",[5] is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). Members are elected for four-year terms under the mixed member proportional representation system. As a result, 73 MSPs represent individual geographical constituencies elected by the plurality ("first past the post") system, with a further 56 returned from eight additional member regions, each electing seven MSPs.[6] The most recent general election to the Parliament was held on 5 May 2011.
The original Parliament of Scotland (or "Estates of Scotland") was the national legislature of the independent Kingdom of Scotland, and existed from the early 13th century until the Kingdom of Scotland merged with the Kingdom of England under the Acts of Union 1707 to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.[7] As a consequence, the Parliament of Scotland merged with the Parliament of England to form the Parliament of Great Britain, which sat at Westminster in London.[7]
Following a referendum in 1997, in which the Scottish electorate gave their consent, the current Parliament was established by the Scotland Act 1998, which sets out its powers as a devolved legislature. The Act delineates the legislative competence of the Parliament – the areas in which it can make laws – by explicitly specifying powers that are "reserved" to the Parliament of the United Kingdom: all matters that are not explicitly reserved are automatically the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.[8] The British Parliament retains the ability to amend the terms of reference of the Scottish Parliament, and can extend or reduce the areas in which it can make laws.[9] The first meeting of the new Parliament took place on 12 May 1999.[10]
2.1 Temporary accommodation 1999–2004
3 Officials
4 Parliamentary chamber
5 Proceedings
6 Committees
7 Legislative functions
7.1 Constitution and powers
7.2 Bills
8 Scrutiny of government
9 Members, constituencies and voting systems
10 Elections
10.1 Results in 2011
11 Composition
12 Criticism
12.1 Arguments that it will lead to Scottish independence
12.2 West Lothian Question
12.3 Costs
The Scottish Parliament's logo in English and Gaelic.
This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
First Minister
Alex Salmond MSP
Deputy First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Tricia Marwick MSP
Iain Gray MSP
Members (MSPs)
Elections in Scotland
Constituencies and electoral regions
Legislative Consent Motion
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Sheriff Courts
Land Courts
Justice of the Peace Courts
Lord Lyon Court
Scotland in the UK
Her Majesty's Government
Under Secretary of State for Scotland
David Mundell
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Grand Committee
Select Committee
Reserved matters
List of Scottish MPs
Scotland in the EU
European Parliament constituency
Subdivisions of Scotland
Other countries · Atlas
Politics portal
view · talk · edit
Main article: History of Scottish devolution
Before the Acts of Union 1707 that merged the Kingdom of Scotland with the Kingdom of England (to form the Kingdom of Great Britain), Scotland had an independent parliament with a legislature known as the Three Estates. Initial Scottish proposals in the negotiation over the Union suggested a devolved Parliament be retained in Scotland, but this was not accepted by the English negotiators.[11]
For the next three hundred years, Scotland was directly governed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, at Westminster, and the lack of a Scottish Parliament remained an important element in Scottish national identity.[12] Suggestions for a 'devolved' Parliament were made before 1914, but were shelved due to the outbreak of the First World War.[12] A sharp rise in nationalism in Scotland during the late 1960s fuelled demands for some form of home rule or complete independence, and prompted the incumbent Labour Government of Harold Wilson to set up the Kilbrandon Commission to consider the UK Constitution in 1969.[12] One of the principal objectives of the commission was to examine ways of enabling more self-government for Scotland, within the unitary state of the United Kingdom.[12] Kilbrandon published his report in 1973 recommending the establishment of a directly elected Scottish Assembly to legislate for the majority of domestic Scottish affairs.[13]
During this time, the discovery of oil in the North Sea and the following "It's Scotland's oil" campaign of the Scottish National Party (SNP) resulted in rising support for Scottish independence, as well as the SNP. The party argued that the revenues from the oil were not benefitting Scotland as much as they should.[12] The combined effect of these events led to Prime Minister Wilson committing his government to some form of devolved legislature in 1974.[12] However, it was not until 1978 that final legislative proposals for a Scottish Assembly were passed by the United Kingdom Parliament.
Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1978, an elected assembly would be set up in Edinburgh provided that the majority of the Scottish electorate voted for it in a referendum to be held on 1 March 1979 that represented at least 40% of the total electorate. The 1979 Scottish devolution referendum to establish a devolved Scottish Assembly failed. Although the vote was 51.6% in favour of a Scottish Assembly, this figure did not equal the 40% of the total electorate threshold deemed necessary to pass the measure, as 32.9% of the eligible voting population did not, or had been unable to, vote.[14]
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, demand for a Scottish Parliament grew, in part because the government of the United Kingdom was controlled by the Conservative Party, while Scotland itself elected relatively few Conservative MPs.[12] In the aftermath of the 1979 referendum defeat, the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly was initiated as a pressure group, leading to the 1989 Scottish Constitutional Convention with various organisations such as Scottish churches, political parties and representatives of industry taking part. Publishing its blueprint for devolution in 1995, the Convention provided much of the basis for the structure of the Parliament.[15]
Devolution became part of the platform of the Labour Party which, in May 1997, took power under Tony Blair.[12] In September 1997, the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum was put to the Scottish electorate and secured a majority in favour of the establishment of a new devolved Scottish Parliament, with tax-varying powers, in Edinburgh.[16] An election was held on 6 May 1999, and on 1 July of that year power was transferred from Westminster to the new Parliament.[17]
Main article: Scottish Parliament Building
The public entrance of the distinctive Scottish Parliament building, opened in October 2004
Since September 2004, the official home of the Scottish Parliament has been a new Scottish Parliament Building, in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. Designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles, some of the principal features of the complex include leaf-shaped buildings, a grass-roofed branch merging into adjacent parkland and gabion walls formed from the stones of previous buildings. Throughout the building there are many repeated motifs, such as shapes based on Raeburn's Skating Minister.[18] Crow-stepped gables and the upturned boat skylights of the Garden Lobby, complete the unique[19] architecture. Queen Elizabeth II opened the new building on 9 October 2004.
In March 2006, one of the Holyrood building's roof beams slipped out of its support and was left dangling above the back benches during a debate.[20] The debating chamber was subsequently closed, and MSPs moved to The Hub for one week, whilst inspections were carried out.[21] During repairs, all chamber business was conducted in the Parliament's committee room two.
Temporary accommodation 1999–2004
Whilst the permanent building at Holyrood was being constructed, the Parliament's temporary home was the General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.[22] Official photographs and television interviews were held in the courtyard adjoining the Assembly Hall, which is part of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh. This building was vacated twice to allow for the meeting of the Church's General Assembly. In May 2000, the Parliament was temporarily relocated to the former Strathclyde Regional Council debating chamber in Glasgow, and to the University of Aberdeen in May 2002.[23]
In addition to the General Assembly Hall, the Parliament also used buildings rented from the City of Edinburgh Council. The former administrative building of Lothian Regional Council on George IV Bridge was used for the MSP's offices. Following the move to Holyrood in 2004 this building was demolished. The former Midlothian County Buildings facing Parliament Square, High Street and George IV Bridge in Edinburgh (originally built as the headquarters of the pre-1975 Midlothian County Council) housed the Parliament's visitors' centre and shop, whilst the main hall was used as the Parliament's principal committee room.
After each election to the Scottish Parliament, at the beginning of each parliamentary session, Parliament elects one MSP to serve as Presiding Officer, the equivalent of the speaker (currently Tricia Marwick), and two MSPs to serve as deputies (currently Elaine Smith and John Scott). The Presiding Officer and deputies are elected by a secret ballot of the 129 MSPs, which is the only secret ballot conducted in the Scottish Parliament. Principally, the role of the Presiding Officer is to chair chamber proceedings and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.[24] When chairing meetings of the Parliament, the Presiding Officer and his deputies must be politically impartial.[24] During debates, the Presiding Officer (or the deputy) is assisted by the parliamentary clerks, who give advice on how to interpret the standing orders that govern the proceedings of meetings. A vote clerk sits in front of the Presiding Officer and operates the electronic voting equipment and chamber clocks.[25]
As a member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Presiding Officer is responsible for ensuring that the Parliament functions effectively and has the staff, property and resources it requires to operate.[26] Convening the Parliamentary Bureau, which allocates time and sets the work agenda in the chamber, is another of the roles of the Presiding Officer. Under the Standing Orders of the Parliament the Bureau consists of the Presiding Officer and one representative from each political parties with five or more seats in the Parliament. Amongst the duties of the Bureau are to agree the timetable of business in the chamber, establish the number, remit and membership of parliamentary committees and regulate the passage of legislation (bills) through the Parliament. The Presiding Officer also represents the Scottish Parliament at home and abroad in an official capacity.[24]
The Presiding Officer controls debates by calling on members to speak. If a member believes that a rule (or standing order) has been breached, he or she may raise a "point of order", on which the Presiding Officer makes a ruling that is not subject to any debate or appeal. The Presiding Officer may also discipline members who fail to observe the rules of the Parliament.[24]
The member of the Scottish Government whose duty it is to steer Executive business through Parliament is the Minister for Parliamentary Business (currently Bruce Crawford). The minister is appointed by the First Minister and is a Junior Minister in the Scottish Government, who does not attend cabinet.
Parliamentary chamber
Seating in the Debating Chamber is arranged in a semicircle, with Ministers sitting in the front section of the semicircle, directly opposite the Presiding Officer and parliamentary clerks.
The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament has seating arranged in a hemicycle, which reflects the desire to encourage consensus amongst elected members.[25] There are 131 seats in the debating chamber. Of the total 131 seats, 129 are occupied by the Parliament's elected MSPs and 2 are seats for the Scottish Law Officers - the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland, who are not elected members of the Parliament but are members of the Scottish Government. As such the Law Officers may attend and speak in the plenary meetings of the Parliament but, as they are not elected MSPs, cannot vote. Members are able to sit anywhere in the debating chamber, but typically sit in their party groupings.[25] The First Minister, Scottish cabinet ministers and Law officers sit in the front row, in the middle section of the chamber. The largest party in the Parliament sits in the middle of the semicircle, with opposing parties on either side.[25] The Presiding Officer, parliamentary clerks and officials sit opposite members at the front of the debating chamber.
In front of the Presiding Officers' desk is the parliamentary mace, which is made from silver and inlaid with gold panned from Scottish rivers and inscribed with the words: Wisdom, Compassion, Justice and Integrity. The words There shall be a Scottish Parliament, which are the first words of the Scotland Act, are inscribed around the head of the mace,[25] which has a formal ceremonial role in the meetings of Parliament, reinforcing the authority of the Parliament in its ability to make laws.[27] Presented to the Scottish Parliament by the Queen upon its official opening in July 1999, the mace is displayed in a glass case suspended from the lid. At the beginning of each sitting in the chamber, the lid of the case is rotated so that the mace is above the glass, to symbolise that a full meeting of the Parliament is taking place.[25]
The MSPs' desks contain all the electronic voting equipment which records the outcome of parliamentary votes. 'Decision Time' takes place on sitting days at 5pm.
Parliament typically sits Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from early January to late June and from early September to mid December, with two-week recesses in April and October.[28] Plenary meetings in the debating chamber usually take place on Wednesday afternoons from 2 pm to 6 pm and on Thursdays from 9:15 am to 6 pm.[28] Chamber debates and committee meetings are open to the public. Entry is free, but booking in advance is recommended due to limited space. Meetings are broadcast on the Parliament's own channel Holyrood.tv[29] and on the BBC's parliamentary channel BBC Parliament. Proceedings are also recorded in text form, in print and online, in the Official Report, which is the substantially verbatim[30] transcript of parliamentary debates.
The first item of business on Wednesdays is usually Time for Reflection,[31] at which a speaker addresses members for up to four minutes, sharing a perspective on issues of faith. This contrasts with the formal style of "Prayers", which is the first item of business in meetings of the House of Commons. Speakers are drawn from across Scotland and are chosen to represent the balance of religious beliefs according to the Scottish census.[31] Invitations to address Parliament in this manner are determined by the Presiding Officer on the advice of the parliamentary bureau. Faith groups can make direct representations to the Presiding Officer to nominate speakers.
The Presiding Officer (or Deputy Presiding Officer) decides who speaks in chamber debates and the amount of time for which they are allowed to speak.[24] Normally, the Presiding Officer tries to achieve a balance between different viewpoints and political parties when selecting members to speak.[25] Typically, ministers or party leaders open debates, with opening speakers given between 5 and 20 minutes, and succeeding speakers allocated less time.[25] The Presiding Officer can reduce speaking time if a large number of members wish to participate in the debate. Debate is more informal than in some parliamentary systems.[32] Members may call each other directly by name, rather than by constituency or cabinet position, and hand clapping is allowed.[33] Speeches to the chamber are normally delivered in English, but members may use Scots, Gaelic, or any other language with the agreement of the Presiding Officer.[34] The Scottish Parliament has conducted debates in the Gaelic language.[35]
Each sitting day, normally at 5 pm, MSPs decide on all the motions and amendments that have been moved that day. This "Decision Time" is heralded by the sounding of the division bell, which is heard throughout the Parliamentary campus and alerts MSPs who are not in the chamber to return and vote.[25] At Decision Time, the Presiding Officer puts questions on the motions and amendments by reading out the name of the motion or amendment as well as the proposer and asking "Are we all agreed?", to which the chamber first votes orally. If there is audible dissent, the Presiding Officer announces "There will be a division" and members vote by means of electronic consoles on their desks. Each MSP has a unique access card with a microchip which, when inserted into the console, identifies them and allows them to vote.[25] As a result, the outcome of each division is known in seconds.
The outcome of most votes can be predicted beforehand since political parties normally instruct members which way to vote. Parties entrust some MSPs, known as whips, with the task of ensuring that party members vote according to the party line.[36] MSPs do not tend to vote against such instructions, since those who do are unlikely to reach higher political ranks in their parties.[37] Errant members can be deselected as official party candidates during future elections, and, in serious cases, may be expelled from their parties outright.[38] Thus, as with many Parliaments, the independence of Members of the Scottish Parliament tends to be low, and backbench rebellions by members who are discontent with their party's policies are rare.[38] In some circumstances, however, parties announce "free votes", which allows Members to vote as they please. This is typically done on moral issues.[39]
Immediately after Decision Time a "Members Debate" is held, which lasts for 45 minutes.[25] Members Business is a debate on a motion proposed by an MSP who is not a Scottish minister. Such motions are on issues which may be of interest to a particular area such as a member's own constituency, an upcoming or past event or any other item which would otherwise not be accorded official parliamentary time. As well as the proposer, other members normally contribute to the debate. The relevant minister, whose department the debate and motion relate to "winds up" the debate by speaking after all other participants.
Main article: Committees of the Scottish Parliament
Private Bill Committees are set up to deal with the legislation required for major public sector infrastructure projects - such as the underground extensions to the National Gallery of Scotland in 2003.
Much of the work of the Scottish Parliament is done in committee. The role of committees is stronger in the Scottish Parliament than in other parliamentary systems, partly as a means of strengthening the role of backbenchers in their scrutiny of the government[40] and partly to compensate for the fact that there is no revising chamber. The principal role of committees in the Scottish Parliament is to conduct inquiries, scrutinise legislation and hold the government to account.[41] Committee meetings take place all day Tuesday and on Wednesday morning when Parliament is sitting. Committees can also meet at other locations throughout Scotland.[42]
Committees comprise a small number of MSPs, with membership reflecting the balance of parties across Parliament.[41] There are different committees with their functions set out in different ways. Mandatory Committees are committees which are set down under the Scottish Parliament's standing orders, which govern their remits and proceedings. The current Mandatory Committees of the Scottish Parliament are: Public Audit; Equal Opportunities; European and External Relations; Finance; Public Petitions; Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments; and Subordinate Legislation.[41]
Subject Committees are established at the beginning of each parliamentary session, and again the members on each committee reflect the balance of parties across Parliament. Typically each committee corresponds with one (or more) of the departments (or ministries) of the Scottish Government. The current Subject Committees are: Economy, Energy and Tourism; Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture; Health and Sport; Justice; Local Government and Communities; Rural Affairs and Environment; Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme; and Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change.[41]
A further type of committee is normally set up to scrutinise private bills submitted to the Scottish Parliament by an outside party or promoter who is not a member of the Scottish Parliament or Scottish Government. Private bills normally relate to large-scale development projects such as infrastructure projects that require the use of land or property.[43] Private Bill Committees have been set up to consider legislation on issues such as the development of the Edinburgh Tram Network, the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link and extensions to the National Gallery of Scotland.[44]
Legislative functions
Constitution and powers
The Scotland Act 1998, which was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and given Royal Assent by Queen Elizabeth II on 19 November 1998,[45] governs the functions and role of the Scottish Parliament and delimits its legislative competence. For the purposes of parliamentary sovereignty, the Parliament of the United Kingdom at Westminster continues to constitute the supreme legislature of Scotland,[46] however, under the terms of the Scotland Act, Westminster agreed to devolve some of its responsibilities over the domestic policy of Scotland to a new directly elected Scottish Parliament.[46] Such matters are known as "devolved matters" and include education, health, agriculture and justice.[47] The Scotland Act enabled the Scottish Parliament to pass primary legislation on these issues. A degree of domestic authority, and all foreign policy, remains at present with the UK Parliament in Westminster.[47] The Scottish Parliament has the power to pass laws and has limited tax-varying capability.[48] Another of the roles of the Parliament is to hold the Scottish Government to account.
The specific devolved matters are all subjects which are not explicitly stated in Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act as reserved matters. All matters that are not specifically reserved are automatically devolved to the Scottish Parliament.[47] Most importantly, this includes agriculture, fisheries and forestry, economic development, education, environment, food standards, health, home affairs, Scots law – courts, police and fire services, local government, sport and the arts, transport, training, tourism, research and statistics and social work.[47] The Scottish Parliament has the ability to alter income tax in Scotland by up to 3 pence in the pound.[48]
Reserved matters are subjects that are outside the legislative competence of the Scotland Parliament.[48] The Scottish Parliament is unable to legislate on such issues that are reserved to, and dealt with at, Westminster (and where Ministerial functions usually lie with UK Government ministers). These include abortion, broadcasting policy, civil service, common markets for UK goods and services, constitution, electricity, coal, oil, gas, nuclear energy, defence and national security, drug policy, employment, foreign policy and relations with Europe, most aspects of transport safety and regulation, National Lottery, protection of borders, social security and stability of UK's fiscal, economic and monetary system.[47]
Members of the public take part in Parliament in two ways that are not the case at Westminster: a public petitioning system, and cross-party groups on policy topics which the interested public join and attend meetings of, alongside MSPs.[49] The Parliament is able to debate any issue (including those reserved to Westminster) but is unable to make laws on issues that are outside its legislative competence.
After a bill has passed through all legislative stages, it becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
As the Scottish Parliament is able to make laws on the areas constitutionally devolved to it, the legislative process begins with bills (draft laws) which are presented to Parliament.[50]
Bills can be introduced to Parliament in a number of ways; the Scottish Government can introduce new laws or amendments to existing laws as a bill; a committee of the Parliament can present a bill in one of the areas under its remit; a member of the Scottish Parliament can introduce a bill as a private member; or a private bill can be submitted to Parliament by an outside proposer.[50] Most draft laws are government bills introduced by ministers in the governing party. Bills pass through Parliament in a number of stages:[51]
Stage 1 is the first, or introductory stage of the bill, where the minister or member in charge of the bill will formally introduce it to Parliament together with its accompanying documents - Explanatory Notes, a Policy Memorandum setting out the policy underlying the bill, and a Financial Memorandum setting out the costs and savings associated with it.[51] Statements from the Presiding Officer and the member in charge of the bill are also lodged indicating whether the bill is within the legislative competence of the Parliament. Stage 1 usually takes place, initially, in the relevant committee or committees and is then submitted to the whole Parliament for a full debate in the chamber on the general principles of the bill.[51] If the whole Parliament agrees in a vote to the general principles of the bill, it then proceeds to Stage 2.
Stage 2 is normally conducted entirely in the relevant committee, where amendments to the bill are proposed by committee members. At this stage, the bill is considered in substantial detail. Some bills - and all emergency bills - are considered in detail by a committee of the whole Parliament in the debating chamber; the Presiding Officer acts as convener of the committee in such circumstances.[52]
Stage 3 is the final stage of the bill and is considered at a meeting of the whole Parliament. This stage comprises two parts: consideration of amendments to the bill as a general debate, and a final vote on the bill. Opposition members can table "wrecking amendments" to the bill, designed to thwart further progress and take up parliamentary time, in order to cause the bill to fall without a final vote being taken.[53] After a general debate on the final form of the bill, members proceed to vote at Decision Time on whether they agree to the general principles of the final bill.[52]
Royal Assent: After the bill has been passed, the Presiding Officer submits it to the Monarch for Royal Assent and it becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. However he cannot do so until a 4 week period has elapsed, during which the Law Officers of the Scottish Government or UK Government can refer the bill to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom for a ruling on whether it is within the powers of the Parliament.[54] Acts of the Scottish Parliament do not begin with a conventional enacting formula. Instead they begin with a phrase that reads: "The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on [Date] and received Royal Assent on [Date]".
Scrutiny of government
The result for the Kelvin constituency being declared at the Scottish Parliament election, 2007. Ordinary general elections for the Scottish Parliament are held on the first Thursday in May every four years.
The party, or parties, that hold the majority of seats in the Parliament forms the Scottish Government. In contrast to many other parliamentary systems, Parliament elects a First Minister from a number of candidates at the beginning of each parliamentary term (after a general election).[55] Any member can put their name forward to be First Minister, and a vote is taken by all members of Parliament. Normally, the leader of the largest party is returned as First Minister, and head of the Scottish Government.[55] Theoretically, Parliament also elects the Scottish Ministers who form the government of Scotland and sit in the Scottish cabinet, but such ministers are, in practice, appointed to their roles by the First Minister.[56] Junior ministers, who do not attend cabinet, are also appointed to assist Scottish ministers in their departments. Most ministers and their juniors are drawn from amongst the elected MSPs, with the exception of Scotland's Chief Law Officers: the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General.[28] Whilst the First Minister chooses the ministers - and may decide to remove them at any time - the formal appointment or dismissal is made by the Sovereign.[56]
Under the Scotland Act 1998, ordinary general elections for the Scottish Parliament are held on the first Thursday in May every four years (1999, 2003, 2007 and so on).[57] The date of the poll may be varied by up to one month either way by the Monarch on the proposal of the Presiding Officer.[57] If the Parliament itself resolves that it should be dissolved (with at least two-thirds of the Members voting in favour), or if the Parliament fails to nominate one of its members to be First Minister within 28 days of a General Election or of the position becoming vacant,[58] the Presiding Officer proposes a date for an extraordinary general election and the Parliament is dissolved by the Queen by royal proclamation. Extraordinary general elections are in addition to ordinary general elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary general election, in which case they supplant it. The following ordinary election reverts to the first Thursday in May, a multiple of four years after 1999 (i.e., 5 May 2011, 7 May 2015, etc.).[59]
Several procedures enable the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise the Government. The First Minister or members of his cabinet can deliver statements to Parliament upon which MSPs are invited to question. For example, at the beginning of each parliamentary year, the First Minister delivers a statement to the chamber setting out the Government's legislative programme for the forthcoming year.[60] After the statement has been delivered, the leaders of the opposition parties and other MSPs question the First Minister on issues related to the substance of the statement.[61]
Parliamentary time is also set aside for question periods in the debating chamber. A "General Question Time" takes place on a Thursday between 11:40 a.m. and 12 p.m. where members can direct questions to any member of the Scottish Government.[28] At 2.30pm, a 40-minute long themed "Question Time" takes place, where members can ask questions of ministers in departments that are selected for questioning that sitting day, such as health and justice or education and transport.[28] Between 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays, when Parliament is sitting, First Minister's Question Time takes place.[28] This gives members an opportunity to question the First Minister directly on issues under his jurisdiction. Opposition leaders ask a general question of the First Minister and then supplementary questions. Such a practice enables a "lead-in" to the questioner, who then uses their supplementary question to ask the First Minister any issue. The four general questions available to opposition leaders are:
To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day?
To ask the First Minister when he next plans to meet the Prime Minister and what issues they intend to discuss?;
To ask the First Minister when he next plans to meet the Secretary of State for Scotland and what issues they intend to discuss? and
To ask the First Minister what issues he intends to discuss at the next meeting of the Scottish Government's cabinet?.
Members who wish to ask general or themed questions, or questions of the First Minister, must lodge them with parliamentary clerks beforehand and selections are made by the Presiding Officer. Written questions may also be submitted by members to ministers. Written questions and answers are published in the Official Report.[28]
Members, constituencies and voting systems
The 2003 election's 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament; 73 represented individual constituencies and 56 represented eight additional member regions.
Elections for the Scottish Parliament were amongst the first in Britain to use a mixed member proportional representation (MMS) system.[62] The system is a form of the additional member method of proportional representation (PR), and is better known as such in Britain. Under the system, voters are given two votes: one for a specific candidate and one for a political party.
Of the 129 MSPs, 73 are elected to represent first past the post constituencies and are known as "Constituency MSPs".[6] Voters choose one member to represent the constituency, and the member with most votes is returned as a constituency MSP. The 73 Scottish Parliament constituencies shared the same boundaries as the UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland, prior to the 2005 reduction in the number of Scottish MPs, with the exception of Orkney and Shetland which each return their own constituency MSP. Currently, the average Scottish Parliament constituency comprises 55,000 electors.[63] Given the geographical distribution of population in Scotland, this results in constituencies of a smaller area in the Central Lowlands, where the bulk of Scotland's population live, and much larger constituency areas in the north and west of the country, which have a low population density. The island archipelagos of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles comprise a much smaller number of electors, due to their dispersed population and distance from the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.[63] If a Constituency MSP resigns from Parliament, this triggers a by-election in his or her constituency, where a replacement MSP is returned from one of the parties by the plurality system.[62]
The remaining 56 MSPs, called "List MSPs", are elected by an additional members system, which seeks to make the overall results more proportional, countering any distortions in the constituency results. Seven List MSPs are elected from each of eight electoral regions, of which constituencies are sub-divisions:[64]
Mid Scotland and Fife
Lothians
Each political party draws up a list of candidates standing in each electoral region, from which the List MSPs are elected.[65] When a List MSP resigns, the next person on the resigning MSPs' party's list takes the seat.[66]
The total number of seats in the Parliament are allocated to parties proportionally to the number of votes received in the second vote of the ballot using the d'Hondt method. For example, to determine who is awarded the first list seat, the number of list votes cast for each party is divided by one plus the number of seats the party won in the region (at this point just constituency seats). The party with the highest quotient is awarded the seat, which is then added to its constituency seats in allocating the second seat. This is repeated iteratively until all available list seats are allocated.[65]
As in the House of Commons, a number of qualifications apply to being an MSP. Such qualifications were introduced under the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the British Nationality Act 1981. Specifically, members must be over the age of 18[67] and must be a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, one of the countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, a citizen of a British overseas territory, or a European Union citizen resident in the UK.[68] Members of the police and the armed forces are disqualified from sitting in the Scottish Parliament as elected MSPs, and similarly, civil servants and members of foreign legislatures are disqualified.[68] An individual may not sit in the Scottish Parliament if he or she is judged to be insane under the terms of the Mental Health Act 1983.[68]
The Union Flag, Flag of Scotland, and Flag of the European Union flying outside the Parliament.
There have been four elections to the Parliament, in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011.
The next election is due to be held in May 2016. This will be five years (not the usual four) after the previous election date, an option which has been authorised to avoid a clash of dates with elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in London. The original date clash was a mistake, originally unnoticed by civil servants, for which both ministerial attention and legislation were required, in finding a solution.[69]
As with all elections in the UK, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens are entitled to vote.[70] However, unlike elections to the Westminster parliament, citizens of other non-Commonwealth EU member states who are resident in Scotland are entitled to vote in elections to the Scottish Parliament. However, overseas electors on Scottish electoral registers are not allowed to vote in Scottish Parliament elections.
Main article: Scottish Parliament election, 2011
Results in 2011
Main articles: Members of the 4th Scottish Parliament and Scottish Parliament election, 2011
The composition of the Scottish Parliament as a result of the 2011 election was as follows:
█ Scottish National Party (69)
█ Scottish Labour Party (37)
█ Scottish Conservative Party (15)
█ Scottish Liberal Democrats (5)
█ Scottish Green Party (2)
█ Independent (1)
The election produced a majority SNP government, making this the first time in the Scottish Parliament where a party has commanded a parliamentary majority. The Nationalists took 16 seats from Labour, with many of their key figures not returned to parliament, although Labour leader Iain Gray retained East Lothian by 151 votes. The SNP took a further eight seats from the Liberal Democrats and one seat from the Conservatives. The SNP overall majority means that there is sufficient support in the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum on Scottish independence.
Labour's defeat has been attributed to several factors: the party focused too heavily on criticising the Conservative-led coalition at Westminster, and assumed that former Lib Dem voters would automatically switch their vote to Labour, when in fact they appear to have haemorrhaged support to the SNP. Jackie Baillie compared the result to Labour's performance in the 1983 UK general election. Iain Gray announced his intention to resign as leader of the Labour group of MSPs in the autumn. The election saw a rout of the Liberal Democrats, with no victories in mainland constituencies and 25 lost deposits (candidates gaining less than five per cent of the vote). Leader Tavish Scott said their performance was due to the Liberal Democrat presence in the Cameron Government, which was an unpopular move in Scotland. Scott resigned as leader two days after the election. For the Conservatives, the main disappointment was the loss of Edinburgh Pentlands, the seat of former party leader David McLetchie, to the SNP. McLetchie was elected on the Lothian regional list and the Conservatives only made a net loss of five seats, with leader Annabel Goldie claiming that their support had held firm. Nevertheless, she too announced she would step down as leader of the party in the autumn.[71] David Cameron congratulated the SNP on their victory but vowed to campaign for the Union in any independence referendum.
George Galloway, under an anti-cuts banner, failed to receive enough votes to be elected to the Glasgow regional list. The Scottish Greens won two seats, including their leader Patrick Harvie. Margo MacDonald again won election as an independent on the Lothian regional list.
Enric Miralles' Scottish Parliament complex in Holyrood Park during construction. The building was completed in 2004. Above and behind the new Parliament is the neoclassical Royal High School, which was prepared for a previous devolved Scottish parliament, but never used.
The resignation of Henry McLeish as First Minister, brought on by an office expenses scandal,[72] generated controversy in the first years of the Parliament.[73]
Arguments that it will lead to Scottish independence
Popular arguments against the Parliament before the UK general election of 1997, levelled by the Conservative Party, were that the Parliament would create a "slippery slope" to Scottish independence, and provide the pro-independence Scottish National Party with a route to power.[12] John Major, the Conservative Prime Minister before May 1997, famously claimed the Parliament would end "1000 years of British history",[74] although the Acts of Union uniting the two countries were still less than 300 years old at the time. The Labour Party met these criticisms by claiming that devolution would fatally undermine the SNP,[75] and remedy the long-felt desire of Scots for a measure of self-government.[76]
West Lothian Question
A further procedural consequence created by the establishment of the Scottish Parliament is that Scottish MPs sitting in the British House of Commons are still able to vote on domestic legislation that applies only to England, Wales and Northern Ireland - whilst English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Westminster MPs are unable to vote on the domestic legislation of the Scottish Parliament. This phenomenon is known as the West Lothian Question and has led to criticism.[77]
The escalating costs of the construction of the new Parliament building led to widespread criticism.[73] Miralles' new Scottish Parliament building opened for business on the 7 September 2004, three years late.[76] The estimated final cost was £431 million. The White Paper in 1997 estimated that a new building would have a net construction cost of £40 million,[76] although this was based on the presumption that the old Royal High School building (since renamed 'New Parliament House') would be used, as had long been assumed. After the devolution referendum it was quickly announced that the high school, which is smaller than many council chambers, was entirely inadequate for the Parliament, and negotiations began for a new building on a new site. This led critical media and politicians to claim the final building was "ten times over budget".[78] Miralles' building was in fact costed at £109 million, prior to major increases in space.[79]
The cost overruns of the Scottish Parliament Building further dented confidence in public opinion in the ability of the public sector to handle major infrastructure and building projects. As a result, the final £431m cost of the Holyrood building can be compared with other cost overruns in projects such as Portcullis House – a new parliamentary office block in Westminster - built for use by 200 MPs, which cost £250 million, including £100 million spent on bronze cladding,[80] £250m for the redevelopment of the German Reichstag,[80] £40m for the development of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre,[80] and £800m for the construction of the Millennium Dome.[80]
Lord Fraser's Inquiry reported on 15 September 2004 and identified the choice of the construction management procurement route as the main factor in the fourfold increase in estimated costs establishing that a £270 million value building ended up costing £431 million, an identifiable waste of £181 million.[81] This was portrayed as clearing Donald Dewar of any blame.[81]
Politics of Scotland
List of Acts of the Scottish Parliament from 1999
Members of the 1st Scottish Parliament
Members of the 2nd Scottish Parliament
Members of the 3rd Scottish Parliament
Members of the 4th Scottish Parliament
Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office
Scottish Parliament Business Exchange
^ "Scottish Parliament Web Site". Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/scots/index.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
^ "Makkin Yer Voice Heard in the Scottish Pairlament". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071103122215/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/scots/makingYourVoiceHeard/index.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
^ "SPCB Leid Policy" (PDF). Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/languagePolicy/SPCB%20Language%20Policy_Scots.pdf. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
^ The Scots for Scottish is in fact Scots.
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^ a b "Scottish Parliament MSPs". Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/index.htm. Retrieved 2006-11-14.
^ a b "The First Scottish Parliament: the Middle Ages – 1707". Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/history/firstscottishparliament/index.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
^ "Scotland Act 1998: Scottish Parliament Reserved Issues". Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI). Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070519074917/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80046--t.htm#sch5. Retrieved 2006-11-14.
^ Murkens, Jones & Keating (2002) pp11
^ "Scottish Parliament Official Report – 12 May 1999". Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-99/or010104.htm#Col7. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
^ "The Last Parliament of Scotland 1703–1707". BBC. September 1997. http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/1707.shtml#last. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
^ a b c d e f g h i "The Devolution Debate (1997) – This Century". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/c20scot.shtml. Retrieved 2006-10-13.
^ "Papers reveal devolution warnings". BBC. 2005-01-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4137765.stm. Retrieved 2006-11-24.
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^ See on-line newspaper Herald Scotland for details.
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^ "Politics 97". BBC. September 1997. http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/background/pastelec/ge97.shtml. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
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^ a b c "Scottish Office – Scotland's Parliament White Paper 1997". The Scottish Office. July 1997. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/government/devolution/scpa-04.asp. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
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^ a b Peter Fraser (2004-09-15). "Holyrood Project Inquiry Final Report". The Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-18.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-17.
Balfour, A & McCrone, G (2005): "Creating a Scottish Parliament", StudioLR, ISBN 0-9550016-0-9
Burrows, N (1999): "Unfinished Business - The Scotland Act 1998", Modern Law Review, Vol. 62, No. 2 (March 1999), pp. 241–260
Centre for Scottish Public Policy (1999): "A Guide to the Scottish Parliament: The Shape of Things to Come", The Stationery Office Books", ISBN 0-11-497231-1
Dardanelli, P (2005): "Between Two Unions: Europeanisation and Scottish Devolution", Manchester University Press, ISBN 0-7190-7080-5
Kingdom, J (1999): "Government and Politics in Britain, An Introduction", Polity, ISBN 0-7456-1720-4
MacLean, B (2005): "Getting It Together: Scottish Parliament", Luath Press Ltd, ISBN 1-905222-02-5
McFadden, J & Lazarowicz, M (2003): "The Scottish Parliament: An Introduction", LexisNexis UK, ISBN 0-406-96957-4
Murkens, E; Jones, P & Keating, M (2002): "Scottish Independence: A Practical Guide", Edinburgh University Press, ISBN 0-7748-1699-3
Taylor, Brian (1999): "The Scottish Parliament", Polygon, Edinburgh, ISBN 1-902930-12-6
Taylor, Brian (2002): "The Scottish Parliament: The Road to Devolution", Edinburgh University Press, ISBN 0-7486-1759-0
Young, John R. (1996): "The Scottish Parliament, 1639–1661: A Political and Constitutional," Edinburgh: John Donald Publishers ISBN 0-85976-412-5
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Scottish Parliament — by virtue of the Scotland Act 1998, there is a devolved Scottish Parliament as of 1 July 1999. It has all the powers of a big local authority and all the pomp, officials and expense of a sovereign parliament. Collins dictionary of law. W. J.… … Law dictionary
Scottish Parliament — the ˌScottish ˈParliament 7 [Scottish Parliament] noun singular + singular or plural verb the parliament elected by the people of Scotland which has powers to make its own laws in areas such as education and health Culture: The Scottish… … Useful english dictionary
Scottish Parliament — Das Schottische Parlament (english.: The Scottish Parliament; gälisch: Pàrlamaid na h Alba Parlament Schottlands) übernimmt die Aufgaben der schottischen Legislative. Das ursprüngliche schottische Parlament wurde 1707 im Rahmen des Act of Union… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Scottish Parliament — Scotland did not have its own parliament between the passage of the Act of Union with England in 1707 and 1999. The present parliament was created by the Scotland Act of 1998. It is elected every four years by the additional member system, 73… … Glossary of UK Government and Politics
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Scottish Parliament Building — The Scottish Parliament Building ( gd. Pàrlamaid na h Alba) [ [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/index.htm scottish.parliament.uk] , accessed 2 May 2007] is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, within the UNESCO… … Wikipedia


A montage celebrating one of the greatest moments in Villa's history - their 1982 European Cup 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich. This gives the Villa fan a perfect memento the event and the players of that era. The photos featured are: The Aston Villa team celebrating with the European Cup after the match; Gary Shaw, Tony Morley and scorer of the winning goal Peter Withe celebrating with the trophy after the match; and Peter Withe's goal that won the European Cup.


Leftovers Last Stand – This Girl Loves to Eat!
As much as I love Thanksgiving and all of the comfort foods and carbs that bring on the need for a long nap and the fat pants, after about 3 days I get tired of the leftovers.
In my KitchenAid Stand Mixer, with the dough hook attached, mix all ingredients until well incorporated.
I don't make a packed loaf, instead scooping and mounding the combined ingredients into a large loaf pan, smoothing the top into a loaf shape and then taking a rubber spatula and creating a little trough of space around the edges for the minimal amount of fat that will collect from the very lean beef. I squirt about another 1/4 Cup of the Hunt's Ketchup on top of the loaf and then slide it, uncovered, into a preheated 350 degree oven.
Cook for about an hour and twenty minutes. I put a meat thermometer into the center of the loaf to make sure that I have passed the medium point and am nearing medium well. The loaf continues to cook a bit when it comes out.
Let the loaf set for about 5 minutes to retain the juices inside when slicing. The meatloaf is juicy, surprisingly light (not dense), flavorful and goes well with just about any side dishes you may have left.
Posted on December 1, 2015 December 1, 2015 by ls1228Posted in comfort food, Dinner, Low Fat, Main Dish, Recipes, UncategorizedTagged Comfort Food With A Kick, grass fed ground beef, juicy, ketchup, leftovers, meatloaf, panko, salsa verde.