Chancellor speaks at university

Alistair Darling used the event to discuss globalisation

Chancellor Alistair Darling has delivered this year's Andrew John Williamson Memorial lecture at the University of Stirling.

Mr Darling used the speech to discuss the challenge of globalisation for Scotland and the UK.

The address is named after a former politics student who died in a car accident in 1981.

Previous speakers at the event have included Clare Short, Michael Portillo, Paddy Ashdown and Alex Salmond.

Mr Darling paid tribute to the university, which is marking its 40th year.

'Massive opportunity'

He said: "Stirling is one of the UK's leading universities in the fields of enterprise and the economy, sport, health and well-being, culture and society and the environment.

"Its graduates, staff and students are helping shape the world at a local, national and international level."

During his speech, Mr Darling said the economic changes taking place across the world were a "massive opportunity" for Scotland.

I cannot emphasise enough the urgency of the task we face, equipping our country for change for change so that we can meet the aspirations of all our people Alistair Darling

But he said globalisation also brought challenges.

"I believe Scotland, within the UK, is well placed to respond and rise to them, both to meet the competitive challenges we face ourselves, but also to help meet the collective challenges the world as a whole faces," he said.

He said Scotland's politics had long been dominated by debate on constitutional change.

"We've got a choice: four years of constitutional wrangling, blaming someone else; or making sure we act now and seize the opportunities for Scotland's future.

"I cannot emphasise enough the urgency of the task we face, equipping our country for change for change so that we can meet the aspirations of all our people.

"Everything else is a distraction from that essential task," he said.

The lecture was organised jointly by the university and the Andrew John Williamson Memorial Trust, which was established by an endowment from his parents.