The Royal Opening of Parliament

Good morning. A very warm welcome to you for the special programme as

the Queen goes to the Scottish Parliament to mark the beginning of

its fourth session. We are live at the key positions in the historic

heart of the capital, inside the Parliament and the chamber and on

the Royal Mile. A moment ago, the Crown of Scotland was delivered

from Edinburgh Castle And arrived at Holyrood. The main debating

chamber is filling up with MSPs and their guests waiting for the Queen

to arrive. As the SNPs reshapes Scotland, we will look at monarch's

relationship with devolution over the years and will the Queen be

guaranteed a welcome as this in an independent Scotland?

Three cheers for Her Majesty, the Queen.

Hip-hip... Hooray. Today is about the Parliament, the

palace and the people including the local heroes nominated by their

MSPs to take part in the Riding. So what do you say when you are asked

to parade before the Queen? Wow, I think was the word!

So music and song, and poetry and performance and possibly some

politics it is all in prospect over the next couple of hours for the

gathering of 1500 guests. At We watched the Crown of Scotland

arrive at Queensbury House and now we are waiting for the arrival of

the Queen. I am at the bottom of the Royal

mile, Andrew, where I'm soaking up the atmosphere with the crowds and

the sunshine, of course, shining on us today. We are waiting to catch a

glimpse of the Queen and we will be watching the Riding as it comes

down the Royal Mile and we will be talking to special members of the

crowd. Thank you.

With me following this morning's events, Tom Devine from Edinburgh

University and Professor James Mitchell from the Department of

Government at Strathclyde University. Thank you.

First, Her Majesty, the Queen, is of course, no stranger to the

Scottish Parliament. Since 1999 she has addressed MSPs on six occasions.

What is the relationship between palace and Parliament, between

Holyrood House and Holyrood? And what will happen to that

relationship in the future when a referendum on Scottish independence

is held? Here is the analysis of our our political editor, Brian

Any moment now Concord will be over the mound.

The new Scottish Parliament receives Royal approval on the 1st

July 1999. A Royal occasion with Scotland's

ancient Crown on display, but alongside the pageantry, a fanfare

for the common man. Robert Burns Anthem evan gentleman

liesing people power and there was a duality in the Queen's address

opening the new Parliament. Over the centuries the British have

sought to acknowledge and promote that pragmatic balance between

continuity and change. As we have forged new political structures to

respond more effectively to democratic aspirations.

There shall be a Scottish Parliament.

Continuity and change, continuity amid change the essential Royal

offer. Indeed Her Majesty has been a fixture in devolution, opening

each session. Evidence of the importance attached by the palace

at Holyrood to their political neighbours. Evidence perhaps too of

underlying concern. For the Palace was not always so seemingly sanguin

about Scottish self-Government. 1977 the Queen's silver jubilee, 25

years on the throne, at that time an earlier attempt at Scottish

devolution is being scrutinised and contested at Westminster.

Addressing both Houses of Parliament, the Queen enters the

controversy. I number kings and queens of

Scotland among my ancestors. I can understand these aspirations, but I

cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of

Great Britain and Northern Ireland. At the time, that was rightly

interrupted as a political intervention, a criticism of

Scottish self-Government as well as a defence of the Union. Fast

forward another 25 years to the Golden Jubilee. The Queen is

attending the Scottish Parliament, meeting in Aberdeen. Devolution is

a reality and the Royal tone has changed.

In this age of new constitutional relationships of union nitty based

on diversity I welcome the contribution that Scotland is

making to strengthen the bonds that link the nations and regions of the

United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and Europe.

This is how I saw it at the time. I recall the silver jubilee speech

25 years, 1977, in which she criticised Scottish devolution. On

this occasion, she wasn't apologising, but what I think she

was doing was setting in context the new devolved settlement within

the structures of the United Kingdom.

Shortly we shall become neighbours when this Parliament moves to its

new campus at the bottom end of the Royal Mile. Continuity and change,

the Queen has addressed MSPs six times in all. Each time, different.

The 2003 election brought the rainbow Parliament, socialists,

A year on, 2004, and Her Majesty is back.

She emphasises scanned within the UK. N-your procedures you are

pioneering new forms of working in close association with those you

represent. In doing so, you add distinctive Scottish values to the

British democratic tradition. The new building maybe late and

grotesquey over budget, but it represents a new stage, the

evolution of devolution. But greater change is to come.

I heard a rumour... LAUGHTER

I think we won the election! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

2007, as ever, with change, continuity. Her Majesty heralds the

new session. Politely, gently, Alex Salmond reminds the monarch of

further potential change ahead. Her Majesty, it will not have

escaped your notice that I am the first SNP First Minister this

Parliament elected. I believe in the restoration of an independent

Scotland. Others in this chamber take a different view.

In practise the palace had time to obsosh and analyse that possible

possible challenge when the Queen devolution in 2009 the SNP

Government did not have the Parliamentary votes to call a

referendum. They do now. A referendum on Scottish independence

will happen in the later half of this Parliament. Does that cause

anxiety at the court? Almost certainly. Might the Queen

intervene as in 1977? Almost certainly not. This is a decision

for people, not Palace and to be clear the SNP leadership sees the

Queen remaining head of State in an independent Scotland. They want to

repeal the 1707 Act which united the parliaments of Scotland and

England. The earlier union of 1603 which united the Crowns would

remain in force. A dozen years ago, the Queen first

opened Scotland's devolved Parliament. On a subsequent

subsequent visit, might she be arriving as Head of a distinct

State within the Commonwealth? Or will both Unions persist Repal and

Parliamentary, continuity or Brian Taylor there.

We will be back inside the Parliament with Brian when the

Queen arrives in about six minutes time she will beliefing the Palace.

We look at this relationship between the Queen and the

Parliament, what sort of parameters do you think she is working within

now? How much has the ground changed? The ground has changed

enormously. We now have a Parliament, we didn't in 1977. The

other important factor is the monarchy isn't as popular as it was.

It is still popular in Scotland. But I think the monarch has become

wise to the fact that she can't play politics nour in the -- now in

the way she might have done 25 years and get away with it. Things

have moved on. The SNP is not in favour of ending the monarchy. It

is very much a party that supports that union as it were. I think that

is important. So I think suspect that the monarchy will take a back

seat in these debates over the next few years.

The Royal Company of Archers are lining up. The Queen will be out in

five minutes. This company is her bodyguard to be fair, I think, they

get help from lothian and Borders Police, but they are lining up now.

Tom, what do you think will be the relationship of the monarch with

Scotland in, if there is to be an independent Scotland, how will that

change, do you think? I think we are in a process of evolution.

Let's not forget that probably the current monarchy has faced a bigger

challenge in relation to Scotland of any monarchy since the 18th

century. The last 20 to 30 years have been unpress unprecedented.

The foundations there. The fact she comes every time to open the

Scottish Parliament, there is no doubt about it, that the several

members of the family have a great love of Scotland and that's not

simply, you know, something which is there for the public gaze. It is

a'ality. The Queen herself has got Scots blood in her because her

mother was a Scottish person. I don't think there will be anything

other than a significant ripple, I don't think there will be anything

like structural change if we go back as has been implied by the

Brian to the Union of the Crowns. You know, let's face it, for most

of the period between 1603 and the later part of the 19th century, the

monarchy ignored Scotland. One of the things that is is happening in

the latter part of the 20th century, partly because of constitutional

change, they are paying greater attention to it and showing a

degree of interest, perhaps for pragmatic reasons, but it is there

that their ancestors never did. James, when we look at what we are

seeing today, we are seeing the Archers outside Holyrood. We think

this has gone on forever, some of them we make up as we go along?

is the invention of tradition. It is a classic example. A new

institution has to embed itself so we pretend it has been going on for

centuries. Some of it does. There is an attempt to do. The historians

can tell us what happened. They can have a notion of a a Riding, but it

is part of legitimising the Parliament and embedding the

Parliament and the monarch's role in all this.

This is all nations do. All nations invent tradition. That is part of

the way we see see ourselves. The Archers are fascinating to me

because they are part, they are part of the long-term effects of

Walter Scots famous orchestration of George's visit in 1942. They are

now members of the Edinburgh organisation.

I hope you are not going to say anything like this.

I don't now how to confirm or deny it. The the top targets are the

golf club and the New Club. You know what to aim for!

Do you think there is a different tone set here with Holyrood as we

would see with Westminster? What's going on? It is night and day. If

you are talking about invention of tradition then you are actually

seeing, if you like, the mother of inventions of traditions and the

mothers of Parliament. I mean look at T there is there is hardly --

there is hardly any degree of pomp. The number of lackies are limited

in the extreme and people wear suits rather than robes. There is

no comparison. Do you think this matters? Is this

something about trying to make a contemporary connection? You would

never get Liz Lockhead speaking in the Westminster Parliament. It is

important for the Scots because they want to be different.

This is actually our first picture of the Queen. The Queen and the

Duke of Edinburgh. That's them driving out of the gate of Holyrood

Palace and behind them will be members of the Royal Household

there will be going with them thoo the Parliament -- into the

Parliament. They are just going past the Guard of Honour who will

And that's the bands and and bugals of the Rifles that she is about to

And we will get actually a Royal Salute before the Queen goes into

that side entrance there. There we The men who will play the fanfare,

will be waiting inside. They have to play three fanfares today, and

they don't think anybody would envy them that. The Queen about to get

out of the car. What's of members of the public.

The Queen is being met by the Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh and the

lady provost, Elizabeth. The Royal Company of Archers. The provost is

a church minister, he has a gold medal in criminology which seems a

little incongruous for a church minister. The Queen there with the

presiding officer. She will have already been introduced to the

deputies, John Scott and Elaine Smith. The Queen just walking into

the Parliament building. As the Queen goes inside we can cross to

Brian Taylor who is going to be there for the next half an hour for

all of the key ceremonies. Thanks very much. You see four

lonely souls lined up waiting for her Majesty, they of the political

leaders of the main parties in Scotland, headed by the First

Minister, Alex Salmond. Next to him, two who are departing. Just

brushing off the dust. Iain Gray, the leader of the Labour Party,

Annabel Goldie that the leader of the Scottish Conservatives. And one

who has newly arrived is from the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The

Queen is being escorted into the building by Tricia Marwick, the new

Presiding Officer. She is an SNP, was elected as an SNP, MSP and is

now in the mutual position as presiding officer. -- neutral. This

is a splendid building. It began as a corridor, now it is the centre of

Parliament. Tricia Marwick, from a mining family worked with the

housing charity, Shelter and is now the presiding officer of the

Scottish Parliament. The word from Alex Salmond, now Iain Gray. They

curtsy from Annabel Goldie. Tricia Marwick follows Alex Ferguson as

presiding officer. He is in the chamber along with the other MSPs

waiting for her Majesty. We saw the two predecessors, George Reid and

Sir David Steel, they are in the public gallery looking on over the

proceedings which they once shared. -- chaired. The deputy sharing a

joke with the Duke of Edinburgh. This is the 7th time her Majesty

will have addressed MSPs. It is the 4th session she is opening, but

that there were other events, the opening of the building itself into

1004. She was there for that session in Aberdeen to mark her own

golden jubilee. And there was the 10th anniversary of Parliament.

There are the MSPs waiting. The 10th anniversary in 2009. The MSPs

were entertained by a school choir prior to this. Tom Divine was

making remarks about the invention of traditions. It is true,

tradition has accrued upon the Royal openings. But they are grand

affairs, but they're also Democratic and down to earth. There

will be a poem by Liz Lochhead, the national poet building on the

earlier endeavours by Edwin Morgan, in 2004 when the buildings open.

And also a Burnsong Gathering. Coming up the glass corridor which

runs up the side of the main chamber. There is of course the

presiding officers entrance which is just ahead of her Majesty the

Queen. As they go further up they will reach the black and white

corridor which is where they are headed, which replicates the

setting there was in the old building before this rather

splendid and costly building at Pausing to point out some of the

sites you can see through the other There is the Lord Provost, George

Grubb and other members of the His sense of expectation in the

chamber. The chatting has died down. Now, we get the fanfare. Ministry

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 79 seconds

As the fanfare played, the installation of the power of the

Parliament and the monarch Crown, remodelled in 1540, part of the

Scottish regalia, the Honours of Scotland. One of the oldest crowns

in Europe, certainly the oldest in the British Isles. The mace was

brought in by a Parliamentary official.

Your Majesty and delighted to welcome you and the Duke of

Edinburgh to the Scottish Parliament today. As you join us to

officially open off for session of Parliament. He returns today to a

chamber which is very familiar to you. He first joined us here in

2004 for the opening of this magnificent building. He returns in

2007 to mark the opening of our third session. More recently, you

joined as two years ago when we mark the Parliament's 10th

anniversary. Your continued support of the Scottish Parliament and its

members is greatly appreciated. And this chamber is a place in which

you will always be assured of a very warm welcome. In each of our

sessions to date, the voters of Scotland have presented this

Parliament with fresh challenges. In this session, we have another

first, the first single party majority Government. It will put

our procedures to the test, but as before, I know this Parliament will

rise to that challenge. Our track record is one of evolution and

innovation, and I assure you as presiding officer, I will do all I

can to ensure that this Parliament lives up to the aspirations and

expectations of the people of Scotland. But no member of the

Scottish Parliament should be under any illusion, that the next five

years will be easy or straightforward. The people of

Scotland are experiencing a time when their incomes and lifestyles

have felt the full effects of the difficult, economic period through

which we have all been living. And, during the times ahead, people will

quite rightly, look to this Parliament for leadership. This

session, members will be asked to make some difficult decisions, but

the words of our previous and no sadly departed Edwin Morgan, should

provide us with some guidance. When this building opened for business

in 2004, he reminded us of the hopes and the aspirations of the

Scottish people for their Parliament. And he warned us, a

symposium of procrastinator is is what we do not want. Perhaps, above

all, the mantra of, it wasn't me, is what they do not want. They were

strong words, but they are as relevant today as when they were

penned. The Scottish Parliament, now 12 years old is an institution

of growing maturity. Our greatest challenge over this extended five-

year session, is to continue to drive this Parliament forward. We

will have to challenge ourselves as elected members to be ambitious, to

be bold, and to demonstrate the spirit of innovation for which

Scots are renowned. And which will allow us to achieve more with fewer

resources. Just as households and businesses and of course family are

going. We have the knowledge, we have experience and now we have an

opportunity to reflect as a mature Parliament on how we can find in

new ways of working in this chamber, in our committees and in all of our

other activities. Doing more with less, but still up holding our

prime responsibilities as a Parliament. To legislate, to

scrutinise, and hold to account the Government of the day. And to

represent the will of the people. Your Majesty, when you joined us in

2004 to mark the opening of this unique building, you said we must

ensure that Holyrood came to be seen as a landmark of 21st century

democracy. Your Majesty, like my predecessors, I would champion

democracy in this 4th session of Parliament to ensure that our

Parliament is open in all it does. Represents the voices of our

citizens and is responsive and mature in its consideration of the

issues that face us as a country. But I am one of 129 MSPs. The onus

is on each and every one of us to make sure this Parliament meets the

aspirations of the people of Scotland. We have five years to

make it happen and we owe it to the people of our great nation to do so.

Your Majesty, it is a great privilege to invite you to address

Now Her Majesty, the Queen. Presiding Officer, First Minister,

members of the Scottish Parliament, I am pleased to be with you once

again on the occasion of the opening of the Scottish Parliament

in this its fourth term since the scand Scotland the Scotland Act of

1998. Presiding Officer your appointment has been held by three

presiding officers. They have been responsible for the high reputation

and good conduct of this Parliament. No one would ever argue that

Scottish politics is the business of the meek, the passive or the

faint hearted. Accordingly as the keeper and defender of the good

name of this Parliament, the Presiding Officer requires not only

an acute sense of fairness and impartiality, but also the capacity

and inclination to exercise careful judgement. Presiding Officer, as

you embark upon this important task, I hope that you will draw

inspiration from the example of those who came before you and the

support of all those in Scotland and beyond who wish this

institution well. In earlier addresses to the Scottish

Parliament, I have pointed to the particular difficulties which

confront a new and developing legislature. Now in its second

decade, the Scottish Parliament is firmly established as an integral

part of Scottish public life. The maturity of the legislation passed

in this chamber and the well tested processes giving rise to it are

evidence of the Scottish Parliament having truly come of age. This is

an achievement of which all members, past, and present should be proud.

To the new and returning members of the Scottish Parliament, I offer

the observation that in return for the authority placed upon you a

very great deal is asked of Scotland's elected politicians.

Perhaps as much now as ever before. Among the Scottish people the roles

and responsibilities of this Parliament and all its members are

probably better known and understood than at any stage in the

past 1 years. -- 12 years. As this consciousness of your work has

grown, so inevitably have expectations. This, of course, is a

ceremonial and celebratory occasion, an opportunity to reaffirm the

importance we attach to the values and freedoms which undewrite and

protect our democracy. Your work here is carried out in the presence

of the of the mace. It was presented to this Parliament at its

official opening on this day in 1999. As well as serving as a

symbol of your authority to to govern, the mace with just a few

words engraved upon it is a reminder of your responsibilities

to the people of Scotland, to govern with wisdom and compassion.

To make fair and just laws and to show integrity in all that you do.

You are charged to give these words meaning in the face of the constant

and competing demands that will be placed upon you. As a close

observer of every stage of this Parliament's life, I remain

confident that you will manage to discharge your duty diligently and

competently and serve the interests of the people of Scotland to the

best of your ability. Presiding Officer, First Minister, members of

the Scottish Parliament, the Duke of Edinburgh joins me in extending

my very best wishes to you and for this fourth session of Parliament.

APPLAUSE The Queen talking about the various

relationships between the Queen and the Scottish Parliament. She is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 79 seconds

talking about the Parliament having # Among the pluming heather

# And the moon shines bright # The Partridge loves the fruitful

fell # The woodcock haunts the lonely

dell Thus every kind their pleasure find

# The savage and the tender # Some join some leagues combine

# Some tolltry wander # Avaunt away, the cruel sway

# Tyrannic man's dominion # The sportsman's joy, the

murdering cry # # But Peggy dear, the evening's

clear # Thick flies the skimming swallow

# And the sky is blue, the fields in view

# All fading-green and yellow # Come let us stray our gladsome

# And view the charms of nature # The rustling corn, the fruited

thorn # And every happy creature

# We'll genty walk and sweetly talk # Until the silent moon shines

clearly # I'll graspthy waist and fondly

Press # How I love thee dearly

# Not vernal showers to budding flowers

# Not autumn to the farmer # So dear can be as thou to me

Magnificent. Just to put us in mind what Edwin

Morgan wrote, this is called Open. Open the doors said the poet,

Morgan, singing out about our dearest, deepest wish. That the

work of this, our Scottish Parliament begin. And the light of

the mind shine out as the light of that new day shown in. Poets have

never been fond of politicians, weary of flags and slogans, the

salt ire is not a bit of blue sky with a vote on it. When Burns

Invented his scorn, they were a rain nation, Morgan - to you our

brand-new Parliamentarians, he told you to not be a nest of feardies,

he charged you to never ever dare come out it wasn't me, no excuse

for thon droppy mantra. He had a catalogue for what we did not and

do not want. What do the people want of the place he asked?

Answered that it be filled with thinking persons as open, aye, open

and adventurous as its architecture. Now, justice is a fine and bonny

word to engrave upon a mace as are integrity, compassion and wisdom,

grand concepts, qualities to grace every last thinking person of our

our Parliament. But above all, openness, how else to turn Abyei

struct noun, into a doing word. Open your ears, listen. Let the

people petition and be heard. Justice, wisdom, compassion,

integrity, open your eyes and see. Gretty, compassion, justice, wisdom,

open your hearts and hope. Open your minds to change.

Open the future because it is not yet written. It's as open as that

is coming yet. It is true. But close the gap between what we say

and what we do. Open the doors, let the work of this our fourth

Parliament begin. Let the light of the open mind

shine out. Let the clear and open A magnificent Liz Lockhead. A

couple of quotes, many from Edwin Morgan, but it is coming yet her

reference to the song a Man is a Man.

On behalf of the people of Scotland can I thank you for declaring this

fourth session of the Scottish Parliament open. As some of our

friend in the Press out, we will move into recess!

Hur majesty has been the firmest of friends of this Parliament,

particularly in our early and difficult years and you now return

to demonstrate that confidence as to demonstrate that confidence as

we move into a different age. Scotland and Parliament have

changed since you first came to congratulate our newly democratised

nation in 1999. We have grown in esteem and ambition and we wish to

grow more. Since May a scramble of voices have been heard to declare

the road ahead. The nest of feardies approach is for another

time and place. We aspire to be more successful, fairer and greener.

We want to uphold the values of the common wheel. To protect the

vulnerable. Nurture the young, we want to emerge from current

economic difficulties into better times.

Your Majesty can I quote from a speep you in aid -- speech you made

to another nation and one which was received with great praise and

warmth. In Dublin Castle, after an impressive opening in the Irish

language that I will not attempt to emulate!

You said, "Together we have much to celebrate. The ties between our

people, the shared values, the economic business and cultural

links that make us so much more than just neighbours. They make us

firm friends and equal partners." Scotland, Ireland, England and

Wales, together we do have much to celebrate. The English language of

of the greatest works in that language is the King James Bible

which is 400 years old this very year. The translation was first

suggested not at Hampton Court, but at the General Assembly of the

Church of Scotland in Fife in 1601. It was driven by Scottish. A

commitment to education, a desire that everyone should be able to

read ad understand scripture. The idea travelled south with kings

James when he accepted the English crown two years later. It was

brought to life by scholars in kim brainlg, ox in order and

Westminster. It has given us some of the most common phases in the

language we sure. For example, a thorn in the flesh. A fly in the

ointment. Turning the world upside Phrases which occasionally resound

around this chamber! I am not always deployed in the interests of

the Government. So there is much that All-Share, this much we know.

But the nations of these islands are always distinctive with our own

economic culture. Some of us believe the best way to articulate

that uniqueness and tackle these challenges lies within ourselves,

and should be expressed within the work of this Parliament. What ever

constitutional path the people of Scotland shoes, and it is their

choice to make, we will aspire to be in your words, firm friends and

equal partners. It gave me great pleasure recently to represent

Scotland at the wedding of your grandson in Westminster Abbey. We

look forward to another wedding, that of your granddaughter Zaria.

It is worth remembering Canongate itself was commissioned in 1668 by

King James the 7th, King of both Scotland and England when these two

countries had their own Parliament in Edinburgh and London. From 60 no

three when this Parliament entered a long adjournment, your

predecessors reigned over two sovereign nations and there was

nothing particularly unusual in that arrangement. Today, you have

come here as Queen of Scots, but also as head of state's of 16

different realms and leader of a Commonwealth comprising 54 nations.

It is a role you have always taken seriously and discharged flawlessly.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Commonwealth Games which take

place in Glasgow in three years. In your last Christmas address you

mentioned the daily games and observed the smallest nations get

the largest cheers. The city of Glasgow can guarantee a deafening

welcome in 2014 when Scotland will compete in the Games as the host

nation. We are proud people, keen to contribute to the global common

Weal and that marvellous a egalitarian principle which

inspires the modern Commonwealth. Or as the King James Bible would

have it, to everything there is a season and a time. For Scotland,

for this Parliament, this can be a good season and a good time.

The speech by the First Minister, historical but very much also up-

to-date and explicit. Suggesting he independence would mean the Queen

was the Queen of Scots. # The back of winter is broken.

# And light flickers by the door. # The seeds of the summer have

spoken. # In gallons that worm on the shore.

# By night and day in sport we will play.

# And the light, as the dawn dances over the bay.

# Sleek blows the grant of the morning a way.

# And we followed the Heron. # Now these bones that lie empty

and hollow. # Are ready for gladness achieve.

# By night and day we will sport and we will play.

# And delight as the dawn dances over the bay.

# And we followed the Heron home. # So long may you sing of the

summer. # While the north wind delivers it

sermon. # Of ice and salt water and stone.

# And by night and by day, we will sport and we will play.

# And the light as the dawn dances over the bay.

# Sleep knows the breath of the morning away.

# And we follow the Heron home. # And by night and day we will

sport and we will play. # And delight as the dawn dances

over the bay. # Sleek blows the breath of the

morning away. # And we followed the Heron home.

# And we follow the Heron home. Kirsty Grace taking the lead vocals.

The presiding officer will close the meeting.

I now close this meeting. Now the Duke of Hamilton comes

forward as the fanfare, blackbirds is played. It is the first time the

current Duke, the 16th Duke of Hamilton has had the task of

carrying the Crown. The Archers The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh

and the presiding officer following the Crown. The Crown, remodelled in

1540 was first used to with Queen Mary, Queen of Scots. Since 2011 it

There it is, the black and white currants or replicating the coroner

that is in a temporary building Parliament used in the Mound. This

looks like something out of Alice Through the Looking Glass, but I

love it, it is absolutely beautiful. Part of the Honours of Scotland at

return to Edinburgh Castle placed in an Oake chest for safekeeping

and only rediscovered at 1818 at And that is it, the 4th session of

Tom, what you make of the tone of Tom, what you make of the tone of

all of that? I thought it was very dignified. It was extremely well

done. Everybody who spoke, spoke well. There was a number of

interesting things coming through from the two principle speeches

from the Queen and also the First Minister. It has echoed other

openings of the Scottish Parliament, the emphasis on Democratic

involvement. Simplicity, a sense of history and also running through it,

the constant use of the Scots language, which I think is

important and the odd use of humour. Very distinctively Scottish. It

could not take place in any other part of the British Isles. I'm not

just thinking of England, and thinking of Ireland, Northern

Ireland and Wales as well. It is for more without being pompous,

which is a difficult thing to do. But we look at the speeches in more

detail, the Queen's Speech saying nobody would ever argued that the

Scottish Parliament is for the meek or the faint hearted. What did you

make of it, what were the key points in the Queen's Speech for

you? The Queen's Speech was a classic speech. She doesn't engage

in politics, but she has to engage with the Parliament. The phrase

where she recognises this Parliament is a distinct

institution is quite important. She is not going to enter into the

constitutional debate, there was never any prospect of that. Nor was

there any danger anybody could read anything into her speech. She is

becoming very careful about what she says when she comes into

Scotland. Given one of the earlier speeches was controversial. It is

almost as if she has become less controversial. If you go back to

the 70s, 80s and 90s, the Royal Family now realise as far as

Scotland is concerned, they have to tread very carefully. One of the

things about the modern media, they will indulge in very careful

analysis in what is said. The only thing running through the thing, in

her view at least it has matured as a Parliament. Then you go back to

the President, the presidential officer. What she is saying and

implying, still things have to be done to improve it. This is echoing

the former First Minister's Jack McConnell's statement which was

critical about the procedures of Parliament. I am hoping Tricia

Marwick will take this forward. Change does have to occur, lot

least in terms of the chamber, which Alex Salmond alluded to in

his speech. We have to mention the First Minister's speech when he

said some of us believe the best way to articulate the uniqueness of

Scotland is to tackle the challenges within ourselves and it

should be expressed through the work of this Parliament. What do

you think of the tone set by the First Minister? It was very

implicit a very clear. He was making it very clear to the monarch,

his grumble is not with the Union of grounds, it is with the treaty

of the Union. We can see some shots of the Queen with the presiding

officer, Tricia Marwick, being introduced to staff members at the

Parliament. I should say, Tom and James had been in a bitter dispute

about whether the Queen is wearing as your blue, or sat by it. I think

we're going with the blue. definitive statement! Let's go back

over two Andrew on the streets. Andrew.

We have featured the Parliament, we have featured the monarch and we

have featured the MSPs, now it is time for the people. You can get

the strains of music behind me, this is the riding which features

1,500 people from all its Grosskopf and taking part in a big procession

which is winding down the Royal Mile. They will be arriving here

shortly. It is ancient tradition, the old riding for the old Scottish

Parliament stopped in 17 of seven and was resurrected in 1999. Best

1707. It is a chance for the people of Scotland to take part in the

ceremony. We have local heroes, MSPs have nominated 111 local

heroes from their constituencies, people whole have been involved in

charity work. The MSPs will come out of Queensberry House and meet

them. We have been speaking to some of them.

The Royal Mile, 1685. Lords, leads, barons and bishops followed by the

Honours of Scotland proceed towards Parliament to hear the opening of

the Parliamentary session. Scenes such as this captured in these rare

engravings displayed at the Scottish Parliament, were a regular

occurrence in the 17th century until the Act of Union in 1707. But

the tradition was revived for the opening of the new Scottish

Parliament building in 2004. While and not to the past, it has been

brought into the 21st century. People from all walks of life take

part, including local heroes who are nominated for their good work.

This year among them, will be Alan, a retained firefighter. He set up

the village's first Medical Response Service four years ago and

since then it has been called out more than 300 times to Bacup the

They are calling it the local hero award. The good thing about it, the

people involved not only in the retained service, but also in first

response. They get a bit of acknowledgement for T it is

unfortunate that I have been nominated.

Unwanted hand me downs provide vital cash for the charity, Save

the Children. This woman has run this branch for 26 years. She was

nominated by Alistair Allan. I take the recognition for Save the

Children, it is not for me, it is for Save the Children and it is for

the ladies who work here and supported the shop and the cause

over over those years. Allan Michael set-up in drop-in centre

for the over 50s to prevent the isolation and loneliness that can

affect people in old age. He was shocked to hear he had been

nominated by Mary Scanlon. Wow was the word. It was out of the

blue. I had no idea that such a thing had existed. I had never been

to the Parliament. Riding down the Royal Mile, I hope they have a big

enough horse for me and I'm looking forward to that.

Bobby Sanderson should be used to blowing his own trumpet, but he was

surprised to be taking part in the Riding. He is a a founder member

afsilver band which played its first concert in June 19478. He was

selecting by Elaine Murray. It is an honour to be picked from

the whole of Dumfries and Galloway. I was quite amazed at the fact I

was was chosen. This year's Riding will reflect the

ideals of the Scottish Parliament which are engraved on its mace,

wisdom, justice, integrity and the local heroes will represent

We will pick up with this morning's Riding later on in the programme.

Right now, our roving reporter is outside the main entrance with some

We are in pole position here to get the best view of the Queen that we

can and I am here with primary one pupils from Royal Mile Primary

School. What are you here to do today? Mplg to see the --. To see

the Queen. Tell me, how excited excited are

you about this? Have you been practising?

LAUGHTER Harry, I know you are going to chat

to me. How old are you? And what are you waiting to see? The Queen.

The Queen. Are you excited? Have you been learning about her at

school? Yeah. I have got the most special person

of all. Alan, you are going to do a special job. Aaron is going to give

a posy to the Queen. Are you looking forward to this?

Yeah. What are you going to say to the

Queen when you give her that special posy. What are you going to

say to the Queen when you give her these? Good morning, Your Majesty.

Can you practise for us? Good morning Your Majesty.

Are you excited about it? Yeah. Very excited? Yeah.

You have got the headteacher here. How proud are you? I am really

proud of them. We have had a fantastic year at Royal Mile and

this is a bit of icing on the cake before we go on holiday.

This is normal for you guys to see the Queen. She is here a lot with

her house in Holyrood Palace, what do you think about seeing the Queen

today? Good. Good. Have you been thinking about

it? What will you look at her and see what she is wearing? I have

seen what she is wearing. She is wearing a beautiful blue hat and a

beautiful blue jacket. So you will be able to watch out for that. Are

you looking forward to that. Matthew, you had something to he

will us about the Queen earlier, didn't you? I seen her daughter and

my mum said she had a dress that was purplish.

Well, you will have to watch out for this one today to tell your mum

what Queen is wearing today. These guys are well behaved and we are

really excited because this is about as close as we will get to

Let's go back now into the main hall of the Parliament and catch up

with the Queen's visit inside the Parliament. Bri Arntion you can he

will -- Brian, you can tell tell us what is happening now.

Yes, she is talking to Bob Reid. These are individuals who engaged

with the Parliament, pe ting it, coming along to debates and arguing

for changes in the law or whatever. It was regarded as such a

successful exercise they took the exhibition around Scotland and ten

are brought to Scotland. Bob set up the scamble and quad bike club to

support young people in the area. The Queen has been touring that

exhibition to see how things are going. Now we are moving on to the

issue of the or trait. You can see the portrait. The Queen is about to

take a look at T at it. It is done by Shaun Murawski. He is a 4-year-

old graduate. -- 24-year-old graduate. Next to him a famous

photographer, Harry Ben Benson, he has done photographs of the

Presiding Officer. That is a better picture of the or trait of the

Queen there -- portrait of the Queen. The sitting took place in

the Throne Room in Holyrood House. It was the apprentice who took the

picture under the guidance of Harry. The It is rather superb. I am not

sure what the colour of blue is. I give way to my colleagues!

This is the main hall, the main entrance hall for people. It is

where you sign the book as the Queen is about to do. You sign the

book to gain a pass for entry. I think Her Majesty The Queen is a

welcome guest. She is signing the book to register the fact that it

is the opening of the fourth session of Parliament. You move out

into the splendour and light of the Parliamentary chamber.

The entry hall is used commonly for exhibitions and events. It is all

to do with this idea of access. As I say that exhibition of moving

stories we saw the last of the one there is with Bob, the exhibition

of moving store Chris is stressing this point -- stories is stressing

the point. These are ten individuals who tried to get a

change in the law. Maybe lobbied about healthcare or sought access

to their MSPs or to the Petitions Committee of Parliament. The Duke

of Edinburgh adding his signature as well.

After this, Her Majesty, the Queen will pop across the road to the to

the Palace of Holyrood House. The guard waiting outside for her as

I am sure she will be back. That's the seventh time she has been to

Parliament so she is a very regular visitor indeed.

I should just say in the afternoon we have had the Royal event in the

morning, the opening of the fourth session, but in the afternoon as

the Riding comes down to Queensbury House and to the Parliament, in the

afternoon there is a programme of entertainment laid on, folk music,

contemporary, the idea of it being the peoples Parliament rather than

just purely a Royal Royal occasion, but very much a Royal occasion it

The short stroll across the road to her official residence in Scotland,

the Palace of roll of Holyrood House.

Ah, the posy being presented. Oh, he has gone all shy.

Well done, Aaron, that was brilliant. Gorks no need to be --

gosh, no need to be shy. It was superbly done. Isn't it a beautiful

sunny day for the event as well? Superb given the weather we have

had. Sunshine today for the Queen's visit. It is excellent.

Patricia Marwick escorts the Queen and the durveg Edinburgh. -- Duke

of Edinburgh. I think Patricia Marwick can be

proud of the part she played. Patricia Marwick had a speaking

time and it was a first time for her as well as the newly elected

Presiding Officer. I thought she did splendidly. The speech as Tom

Devine was mentioning was a combination of respect, warmth and

dignity, but also very much that thread that there was throughout

much of the proceedings, the poem by Liz Lockhead certainly, but very

much the speech by the PO as well. A salute. A Guard of Honour. And

the events in the part of Holyrood -- Parliament of Holyrood are over

as the Queen heads to the Palace of Holyrood and the raucous of Riding

come down the hill. STUDIO: Brian, thank you. That

sounds like our cue. The regiment of Scotland will be leading the

Riding down and past the principle MSPs. The Queen has been on the

platform as this goes bast, but she won't -- past, but she won't be

they year. Things will lighten up. There is samba bands. Nicola

Sturgeon is there. Nicola Sturgeon will take part in the march down

the Royal Mile. 1500 people will take part in this. Local heroes who

have been nominated by their MSPs, brass bands, samba bands,

cheerleaders, Scottish pipes, African drums, a whole range of

music there for you all afternoon. But also going to have children who

are 12 years old today celebrating their birthday. So that will put

going to kung fu panda in the shade for anybody else's mums and dads.

When you are looking at this James to say, Patricia Marwick's

prominent role role in what was happening. Do you think what she

was laying out in a reform agenda will be the main story over the

months and years? Absolutely, the Parliament needs to look at itself

again. The Parliament has been very successful, but actually in many

respects it has been a disappointment. It hasn't managed

to really have a clear rule for its committees and the Parliament needs

to reflect on that. She said it is an opportunity to reflect how we

can find new ways of working in this chamber n our committees and

in all our other activities. That signals the new Presiding Officer

maybe a reforming Presiding Officer. We can see there outside the

Parliament, the Royal Company of Archers and we are back with the

band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland as they are lining up to

swing down the Royal Mile now. Let's cross back to Katrina who has

We are down at the bottom of the Royal Mile. The First Minister is

shaking hands with the crowd as he goes along. I am going to talk to

some of the people who are here to see the Queen and for all sorts of

other special reasons. Kieran, why are you here? My brother has just

presented flowers to the Queen. I'm very excited for him. Is it good to

see the Queen? Yes. Sir, You are clearly a fan, telogen name and why

you're here? My name is Sean Robinson, I had been an Makis since

1977 and I have come to see the Queen opened the official

Parliament. Are you glad you got a glimpse? I have also met Prince

Charles as well. We have a special friend, Sarah. You have come here

today and there is somebody you are waiting to watch? My grandad.

is he in the riding? Because he is a local hero. Are you very proud?

Yes. He is very proud of you also coming here to watch him. Your

grandmother, are you enjoying today? Most certainly, yes, I came

to see the Queen and I had seen her, so I will watch the parade. You are

regular? I was here at the weekend and had a great time watching the

military coming down on Saturday and Sunday. A lovely party this

afternoon, the Parliament is being opened up to the public, are you

taking part in that? It will be nice, it is nice to come through

and see something locals. What about yourself and Madam, where

have you come from? I have come from Norfolk. Are you enjoy the

atmosphere? Yes, definitely. This is the riding coming now. I am

going to hand back to Isabel. There was a band creeping up behind

you, if you look over your shoulder. If we look at this in terms of the

idea there will be tough times ahead, just before we get into the

party mood, a bit of a party pooper, but that came over clearly. The

next five years won't be easy? Ironically, go back to James's

point about a reform agenda. I think the Parliament would have to

do with what you would call a lot more political meet over the next

five years than it has been accustomed to dealing with. I think

to some extent, the policies up until now have been at the edges.

There will have to deal with serious challenges over the next

period. Particularly in economic and financial terms. In my own area

of the universities, there are huge issues and therefore I think if the

form of Parliamentary procedure is going to occur, it's not before

time because it will be necessary in order to allow the Parliament to

be examined about these important issues, in the wake no previous

Scottish Parliament has been challenged with. Just seeing the

banners going by, we have had Bridgend arts and dancers, they

were the ones with the purple masks. We have also got the Boys' Brigade.

The theme of the riding his wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.

You will see that on the banners as they go by. Various youth

organisations, the Girl Guides, Glasgow and Lanarkshire Army Cadet

Force and the Regiment Band, as they were saying earlier is the

Royal Regiment of Scotland. Lots of pipes and drums. Later in the

afternoons there will be lots of different bands playing inside the

Parliament. They will be combining Scottish pipes with African drums.

That it will be worth looking at, I think. James, Tom was saying about

how the Parliamentary process moves forward in the next five years. As

so often we hear the constitutional debate it will dominate, is that

your impression? I think the dominant issue over the next few

years will be finances, but it will play into the debate on the

constitution. But the over arching question of how we finance our

public services is going to be the key driving force. It is going to

be a very different constitutional debate from which we have had in

the past. The question will be how can an independent Scotland with

more powers managed the public finances and provide better

services. We have major challenges, not just the lack of public finance,

for Democratic change and an ageing population, they all need to be

addressed. We have had the MSPs and the local heroes there we were

talking about, now these are women drummers and they are making their

way down. To be less serious, because I feel I am dragging but

tone down every time I make you talk about constitutional change.

The this is a day of celebration. Absolutely. We have all sorts of

people taking part, what kind of interaction does this Parliament

ones with the voters? It wants to be seen to be connected with the

voters. Looking at the website for the Scottish Parliament, they have

achieved that in so many different ways. All be it electronically, but

this is supposed to be symbolic. Thinking about the old riding, the

late 17th century riding, a tiny alley to march down what we now

call the Royal Mile who were the members of Parliament. Probably

less than up when 5% of the Scottish population it represented

them. If it the modern Scottish Parliament, in a sense is trying to

outdo Westminster in terms of that connectedness with the people. But,

until it starts to decide on matters of really significance

importance, and grab people's attention and motivate people to be

concerned with some of these debates, then I don't think it will

actually succeed in that. That's why the next few years will be very

fascinating in that respect, even exciting. Because apart from a

constitutional issue there is this variety of other challenges. Now we

can see MSPs and there is the Education Secretary walking down.

It is spot and MSP time! There is Alex Salmond, the First Minister.

And the leader of the Scottish Lib Dems. This is a platform outside

the Parliament and the riding goes past. They are waving and a thumbs-

up from the First Minister to various members of the riding.

Tricia Marwick will also be there, as well one of the Deputy presiding

ministers. If the go back to Alex Salmond's speech, I think it is

full of symbolism, because these things are meant to be, I think the

Irish mention is important, but also the mention of the

Commonwealth, and the mention of the Union of crowns, and the

difference of the Union of grounds, and also the fact we wish to,

depending how the debate on the constitution pans out, we wish to

be good neighbours of the English. The historical fusion between the

two peoples. It is this distinction between a full-scale independence

dynamic and the Cup fact that so much of what is referred to as a

Social Union, the cultural union will be retained even in an

independent Scotland. Liz Lochhead, she was just giving

it straight. She was saying and not a bit of blue sky with a cross on

it, basically. What did you make of her speech? It blows the cobwebs

away doesn't it? Absolutely, it is a very welcome speech and a poem.

Closing the gap between what we say and what we do. It was a message to

these MSPs, you have been elected but don't forget the people out

there. It was wonderful to hear that message. One of the founding

principles of the Parliament is the powers be shared with the people

and the people have to be part of the process. Not just at election

time. What she is signalling is the public are out there watching you

and it was refreshing to hear from Liz Lochhead. Liz Lochhead is from

Motherwell. This is a very good thing? A very good thing and they

tend to speak directly. Having been born there myself. I think it is

something for which you are noted, if I may and lighting you on that

point. Thank you for the semi- complement. I think we can cross

back over to Brian? No, he is just about to join us in a short time,

but to pick up on what Liz Lochhead was saying, it seemed like a direct

plea that the committee to be given more powers. The restructuring

James has been talking about? the mention the First Minister

previously, Jack McConnell, he thought this would have to be done.

There are lot of reforms that need to occur but they need to handle

and manage these challenges. It is probably more important than

procedural developments. First Minister's questions, we don't have

time to talk about. It would have taken us too long. But we can now

crossed to Brian Taylor in the Parliament building. Brian?

I am joined by Liz Lochhead, Scotland's national poet. Feud

congratulations on the poem, absolutely superb. Fangs, you

wouldn't have been saying that on Monday night when I was up all

night swearing. Was the genesis tricky? I'm not a political poet,

so I thought the English Basque -- best thing to do would be support.

A reference to Robbie Burns? The song that was sung on the first

day? If you are stuck, look at what has been done recently and what has

been said. You could unsafe fairer than the things Edwin Morgan said.

It was a wonderful day, the First Minister's speech was great, bold

and cheeky. But it was wonderful. Very passionate. How do you think

you went down with the Queen? He was reassuring her on the one hand,

saying the Regal Union is fine. was very interesting. It was a

great speech and I think the whole events, I felt it was rather

splendid, I am a bit biased, but I did feel this is really something

special. What do you see changing? You read Edwin Morgan's poem in

2004 when the building was opened. Today was your own work, what do

you think has changed in Scotland in the intervening period? A real

feeling we want a change. I don't know if it is focused yet, that

feeling, but I think it is good for the Labour Party in Britain to get

the wake up call we got in Scotland. For people to realise how we want

to get back to some of the values that those of us who used to the

Labour Party members are long while ago had. We want change and I am

not a member of any political party of course, I am a voter. I was just

excited after the last election, just at the very thing, we could

have changed. What is it like writing to order? Scary for Sabin

makes you realise there is no such a thing as a free lunch. I am not a

political poet. I would never write a poem, I wouldn't keep that poem,

it was only something for this occasion. You have written 19 books

of poetry, you have written plays? Alike being asked to write things

for occasion. My friend, Caroline Duffy, who is at the proper poet

laureate of Britain, she sidesteps things like she did not write a

poem for the Royal wedding but she commissioned a lot of poets,

friends of hers all over Britain to write a wedding vow and it was

published before hand. Is this a poet Laureate's union? I phone her

up and asked if I should take this job, and she said take it. It will

be fine. You wouldn't do anything you wouldn't do normally. Do you

think it is knife Best nice the phrase refers back to Henderson,

Dunbar and the medieval poets? is greater refers back like that.

But it is what it means, which it means maker. The specialist used a

bit as a poet is one thing. You make a poem, the way you make a

plate of soup. That is a good thing to think of it like. It was a tasty

place of sued be made today. Is there room for the arts, poetry and

music alongside the rough and tumble of per -- politics?

course there is. You take it as a symbolic role in armour of poetry

itself. And poetry to Scottish people, and people all over the

world. The Scottish are used to poetry as something you would say

and enjoy. Something as simple as a song. On that note, Liz Lochhead,

thanks very much indeed. Back to the studio.

Liz Lochhead. I bet people always took her phone calls. The

entertainment continues into this afternoon with live performances

inside the Parliament. Let's go back to our reporter who has some

of the details of what will be There is a very noisy Riding taking

place. We have a pipe band going past. We have seen lots of

different groups going by from all over Scotland. Joining me now is

this band hol be playing in the Parliament -- who will be playing

in the Parliament later thb later this afternoon. How important is it

that people like you are involved in the Royal opening? Seeing all

these different bands playing now, it is great to be playing as well,

to be acknowledged. It is great that we are appreciated

enough to be involved in a national event.

You guys are from Caithness. What kind of music do you play? Indi pop.

How helpful will have event be in raising your profile? It helped

masses. We have been recording yesterday. We talked with record

labels and things. It is going well. We have some of your band

colleagues here. Can we get a quick tune from you. Just a very quick

# I'm going to sell my heart # Sell my soul

# A brand-new street and a brand- There we go. The neighbours are not

going to be complaining about any noise today however loud it gets!

Harry Benson was invited to be a mentor for the portrait of the

Queen. As we saw earlier on in the programme, he is now with our

political editor, Brian Taylor Thank you very much indeed. As you

say, I am delighted to welcome Harry Benson a world renowned

photographer and Scottish born. Thank you very much indeed for

joining us. You were mentoring a young photographer in unveiling the

Queen. What do you reckon of the portrait? I think it is very good.

The photographer is from Glasgow and that makes it better!

You are a Glaswegian yourself? Indeed, I am.

You have done a lot of work for the Parliament. Portraits of the

presiding officers. Do you feel that connection with the

Parliament? Yes, I did. It is a great looking building. The

Parliament is very interesting. Do you think it is good there is

this artistic involvement in what is going to be dry, rough politics

as well? Yes, I do. I think it makes politics look fun. It might

be a pleasure going to work in there.

There is that side to it as well. You have taken photographic

portraits of the most famous people in the world. Every president.

And film stars as well? And movie stars. Wtialtion that's my -- well,

that's my business. As well as doing that, you like

doing this? I like coming back to Scotland.

Scottish ties still pull you? come back a lot. I live in New York,

but I love come to go Scotland. -- come to go Scotland.

I gather to represent the US and Scottish links you are getting an

honour from the US Embassy. I got it last night.

What does that involve? A hero or something. They gave it to

firefighters in New York. The one that is worked in 9/11. I was down

there as well. Oh I say.

Was yours for American/Scottish relations? Yes.

How strongly do you think those are at the present moment? I think the

Scots have always liked the Yanks. Does it apply the other way around?

They love Scotland. Really? Absolutely.

Do they have a real love of Scotland or is it Brigadoon?

them think that. As the pooipse and the pipes and drums come down the

hill. I am delighted to have been joined by a US US US/Scottish hero

Thank you very much indeed for that. Picking up a point that Liz

Lockhead made. Whatever your politics, tas very exciting dynamic

time in Scotland politics, isn't it? We are living through an

important phase. It is a challenging period. In terms of the

public finances and in terms of the constitutional debate. The next few

years are going to be important and an exciting period for people like

me and for people like you and for the public at large.

What about the tone that will have to be adopted by the Opposition.

Gou get any sense that -- do you get any sense that tone may change?

How the SNP leadership itself plays this. They have indicated an

aspiration to consensuality. If that's the case you might have a

mellow tone in the Parliament. I think the issues are so enormous

that we are in for interesting times during the next few years as

we should be because there is not enough in my view passionate debate

going on. Well, it looks like, I am sorry to

interrupt you, it looks like the First Minister is having a debate

with some voters. Alex Salmond loves passionate

debate. That's walking down the Royal Mile

and that's heading towards the park. People taking pictures of the First

Minister. He is in the middle of the crowd there. There he is there

the middle of the crowd. That's another big distinction from

Westminster. Possibly for scruret reasons. -- security reasons.

You probably wouldn't be allowed to do that. I wonder if David Cameron

would would want to do it anyway! They are getting their picture

taken. The First Minister there. In terms of the politicians

interaction because some of that has been unfortunate. The Queen was

referring to you don't go into Scottish politics if you are you

are faint hearted. Do you think that tone has to change? It has to

change and for the parties that had a negative tone, they need to

change. One of the conclusions that some of us have drawn from a study

of the election this time around and the last time is the negative

tone from some parties harmed them and the positive tone from the SNP

helped them as it did in 2007. You can have real debate. The

passionate debate that Tom was talking about, but in a positive,

constructive way. The negativity is just very unhelpful. It puts the

electorate off and frankly it puts voters off off voting.

Do you think the try balancism is so -- try balancism is so engrained

now? That's the way groups co here to have this group process. Some

commentators had doubts of the calibre, let's face it, the calibre

of individual members of the Scottish Parliament. I don't know

enough about their backgrounds to be certain about that. But this

will be a testing time. I notice from the itake, the people whom I

do know have real abilities and are articulate. I am hoping for an

exciting and engaging Parliamentary session over a set of sessions over

the next few years. One of the things that has to change, if I got

it right, after the opening of the Parliament today, we are now about

to go into recession. Yes, I think I can confirm that.

find that amazing. Do you think they are not bound to

be run ragged after the election? Why don't you have the opening of

the Parliament and straight into business.

In fairness the Parliament has gone into recess, but the politicians

haven't. Some need a holiday, but many of them have a lot of business

over the summer. They have got to get out into their communities.

I draw the charge. We are in good form today!

James, what about this getting out? Sometimes you hear there is a sense

in other parts of the country, say you go into the north or go down to

the Borders, politics is something that happens in Edinburgh or spills

into glass into Glasgow, do they need to engage in a different way?

I think we should address this issue. When Parliament is in

session it becomes like Westminster, a village and the media plays a

part and the commentators play a part. We play a part. We have got

to remember the Parliament is for the people. In a way it would be

good if they could get out and about more. In fairness, the MSPs

do this because they have to keep in touch with the constituents, but

maybe we as commentators and the media maybe need to get out and

about. We tend for parochial focusing on the Holyrood village.

There is a tend to be Edinburgh- centric or Glasgow-centric.

To me at least that ceremonial today and the speeches and the

cultural contributions, I mean it was fantasticically heart warming

because because it goes back to what the First Minister said. This

is a country that's comfortable in its own skin. Apart from the

changes that James talked about, there has been a very significant

and indeed in some areas dramatic increase in Scotland's sense of

itself and self-confidence over the last 25 years and I think in terms

of symbolism and manifestation you got a sense of that today. It is

our Parliament. It was our culture on display today and we did it as a

nation well. One of the interesting things of

the Parliament, something Tom said, is that you know it does look like

Scotland, but it sounds like Scotland The variety of acts.

People comfortable with their local accents. A Parliament is about, as

the term means, it is a French word, it is about speaking and it is

about the sound of the institution. What you had today was the mosaic

of Scotland coming through from the far north to the Borders, no sign

of of received speech as well. With one exception! We will have to do

with something about it. That comes with the territory!

LAUGHTER You are never going to get into the

Royal Company of Archers if you continue behaving in this way!

Women playing a prominent role today. Yes, not prominent enough.

We need to see more women inside the Parliament being given senior

positions, not just across Government, but in the committees.

There is more work to be done. Thank you very much indeed. That's

it. Let's have a look back at some of the most striking images of the