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Jack McConnell quits Scottish Parliament; Intends to stand down at Holyrood election next May
Topic Started: Sep 2 2010, 03:45 PM (229 Views)
David
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Jack McConnell, the former First Minister, has announced he is to stand down from the Scottish Parliament at next May’s Holyrood election.

The Motherwell and Wishaw MSP, now known as Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale, said the decision marks the beginning of “part two” of his political career.

He said his “new challenges” will be to further develop an international peace building role handed to him by Gordon Brown and improve links between Scotland and the impoverished African nation of Malawi.

The former Scottish Labour leader is the longest serving First Minister since devolution in 1999 and his five-and-a-half tenure saw the introduction of the smoking ban north of the Border.

In a statement, published on his website, Lord McConnell, 50, said: “I have been an elected representative for most of the last 30 years and it is time to move on.

“I have been involved in national Scottish politics, including the creation of the Scottish Parliament and serving in government, for most of those 30 years, and it is time for others to take Scotland forward now.”

He claimed Scotland had flourished under his leadership, highlighting economic growth, the smoking ban, the largest ever school building programme and his high-profile campaign to tackle sectarianism.

“I have made mistakes – we all do – but I believe I have served my country well and will continue to do my best in this new phase of my life,” he concluded.

Under Lord McConnell’s leadership, Labour won the 2003 Holyrood election but lost the 2007 contest by a single seat to Alex Salmond’s SNP.

After the defeat, he resigned as leader with a promise from Gordon Brown he would be appointed Britain’s next high commissioner to Malawi.

However, the post never materialised and Mr Brown, the former Prime Minister, instead appointed the former Stirling Council leader a special envoy for “conflict resolution”.

In May this year he was handed a working peerage and the following month took his seat in the House of Lords. At the time he claimed he had “no plans” to step down as an MSP.

Tributes to Lord McConnell were led by Harriet Harman, Labour’s acting leader. She said: “The success of devolution is in no small part due to Jack’s determination and commitment as Scotland’s longest serving First Minister to make devolution work for Scotland.”

Tavish Scott, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said he had enjoyed working with Lord McConnell in the former Labour and Lib Dem administration.

Annabel Goldie, Scottish Tory leader, said: “Jack has played a significant part in devolved politics and we wish him well for the future.”

Alex Neil, a junior SNP minister, said he hoped Lord McConnell’s replacement would provide a “full-time service” for Motherwell and Wishaw.

Source: The Telegraph

Malawi's loss is our gain it would seem...
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George Dutton
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"Jack McConnell quits Scottish Parliament"

Good riddance to bad rubbish.
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bobrobert

I would give him credit for the smoking ban but he was otherwise a "middle of the road man" who ploughed a straight furrow.
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TheWarLord

bobrobert
Sep 12 2010, 09:27 AM
I would give him credit for the smoking ban but he was otherwise a "middle of the road man" who ploughed a straight furrow.
"give him credit for the smoking ban"


WHAT?

Why can't government just leave us alone, do you really want laws dictating what you can/cannot do with your personal life?

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