Twenty years ago today, Scotland went to the polls to vote in the inaugural election of the reconvened Scottish Parliament. Kenneth Gibson MSP was elected to it as a Regional List Member for Glasgow.
He was later returned to the Parliament in 2007 when he won the constituency of Cunninghame North from Labour. He has now served the people of Cunninghame North for 12 years.
Reflecting on this anniversary, Kenneth said:
“It remains one of the greatest privileges of my life to have been elected to the first Parliament and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved as a nation in twenty years of devolution.
“Without the Scottish Parliament, we would not have free prescriptions or free eye tests. Social and Health Care would not have been integrated and people would not receive free personal care.
“Without the Scottish Parliament, we would not have free tuition fees or see record numbers of domiciled Scots going to university.
“Without the Scottish Parliament, the SNP Government could not insulate Scots from the worst of Westminster Tory austerity.
“I look forward to seeing what the Scottish Parliament will achieve in the next twenty years.”
As part of a year-long programme to mark the anniversary, there will be an event in Holyrood’s Debating Chamber on Saturday 29 June, marking almost 20 years to the day since the Parliament officially assumed its legal powers. As well as the Chamber event, the Parliament will later that day open its doors to the people of Scotland for an afternoon of celebration and commemoration.
ENDS
