Time for a new beginning

By John Knox
BBC Scotland political reporter

MSPs took their seats for the first time at Holyrood

We must raise our game. We must live up to the grandeur of our surroundings. We must make a new beginning.

Thus did party leaders Jack McConnell, Nicola Sturgeon and David McLetchie mark the opening of the new Scottish Parliament.

They took their seats for the first time in the upturned boat, the great wooden arena that forms the new debating chamber, on a sunny Tuesday morning.

Okay, the sound system broke down from time to time, the front doors wouldn't open at first, there was a streak of red paint on the outside walls from a couple of protesters, but generally the day went well.

"This is a stunning building," said First Minister Jack McConnell. "I know it was built with controversy and argument but it was built to capture the promise of devolution."

New standards

He went on to outline his promises for government over the next year. His first priority is improving economic growth. Full employment he said was "within our grasp".

This is some challenge since unemployment is still running at around 6% and Scottish growth in recent years has been lagging behind UK growth (1.6% per annum compared to 2.3%).

He promised "the most comprehensive modernisation of our secondary schools for a generation". There will be new standards of excellence for each of the 386 secondary schools. And there will be 20 "schools of ambition", to transform the worst performing schools.

Conservative Leader David McLetchie wants more specialist schools

Conservative Leader David McLetchie asked him at question time why he didn't introduce more specialist schools, like the seven for music and sport.

"Why is selection for pupils with these talents acceptable but not for pupils with an aptitude for maths and science?" he asked.

Mr McConnell said he was sticking firmly to comprehensive education for all. "We are not going to have academic selection, the old Tory way. We are not going to condemn the majority of pupils to a life that is mediocre and inferior."

But in case we were thinking he was all Old Labour, he went on to talk of value for money in the public services. There's to be a 2% efficiency assumption in the money allocated to government departments each year.

It will yield £500m of savings, to be ploughed back into frontline services. And yes, ministers are saying it will mean job cuts.

Mr McConnell went on to announce 12 bills to be submitted to parliament in the year ahead. They include the introduction of quicker divorces, reform of charity law, changes to the rules on selling and buying houses, a transport bill to create a new all - Scotland transport authority and a bill to promote the Gaelic language.

The Liberal Democrat Leader Jim Wallace said it was all proof that "devolution is working".

Nicola Sturgeon in the chamber as the SNP's parliamentary leader

But the new Deputy Leader of the SNP, Nicola Sturgeon, said that while most of the bills were welcome in themselves, they "do not add up to more than the sum of their parts. There is a vision vacuum. You called on us to raise our game, when are you going to raise yours?"

But the action this week wasn't only in the great chamber. The "stunning" committee rooms opened for business too. There are six of these remarkable airy spaces.

Each one involves a white upturned plaster boat for a ceiling, high windows which this week let the sun flood in and light up the large oak tables and ribs of darker wood running up the walls.

The finance committee began with a rebuke for the minister Tavish Scott who had failed to respond to a committee report on moving public sector jobs to the Highlands.

"Could I advise Mr Scott," said a stern-faced Fergus Ewing, "that if you are making a plea in mitigation, it's best to start off with a clear apology."

By the close of play that day, the committee had its apology from the minister for parliament Patricia Ferguson.

'Delight infectious'

The committee went on to discuss the reforms planned for the Fire Brigade. The environment committee discussed the water industry. The justice committee put the finishing touches to its report on the emergency workers bill, giving them added protection against physical attacks.

The health committee heard Labour's backbencher convener Duncan McNeil call for a moratorium on all health board re-organisation plans until next March when Professor David Kerr's national review is due to be completed.

But for all the splendour of the inside of the new Holyrood building, it was events outside which will remain with me this week. At 0900 on Tuesday morning, for instance, a group of about two dozen devolution enthusiasts queued outside the locked doors to be the first members of the public allowed into the building.

To them it was worth every penny. Their delight was infectious.

On Wednesday I enjoyed watching the Stobhill hospital protesters from Glasgow paddle in the ornamental pool. And on Thursday, we all cheered as Scotland's four medal winners at the Athens Olympics boarded an open topped bus to be lauded by the crowds on their way to an official reception at Bute House.

They at least had raised their game.