THE FLAG AT HALF MAST

Leaders of the three political parties which, arriving from entirely different directions, nevertheless supported the Home Rule Referendum, came briefly together again at Edinburgh University in August 1998 to receive Andrew Fletcher awards from the Saltire Society, "for services to Scotland". Society President Paul Scott recalled the outstanding result which he attributed to the co-operative efforts of the three leaders. L to R Lib Dem Jim Wallace, Secretary of State Donald Dewar and SNP national convener Alex Salmond showing off their awards. (photo courtesy of Fae MacMurnan)

The sudden death of First Minister Donald Dewar MSP MP has shocked and saddened everyone in Scotland, and there is no doubt that the political scene will be the poorer for his going. Irrespective of ones politics, there is no denying the profound effect that Donald Dewar had on Scotland; he was definitely the Father of Devolution, and whether he will be seen as the Father of the Nation will emerge as time goes on.

His first foray into the political field was as the MP for South Aberdeen, but he will be remembered best for his victory in Garscadden in 1978; this was a by-election which the Media had decided would be an SNP triumph, but safe Labour seats usually remain with Labour, and Donald Dewar was a safe pair of hands. He spent most of his political years in the wilderness, as did all Opposition MPs during the Tory reign from 1979 to 1997, but worked away within the Labour Party with the late John Smith to produce a measure of self government for Scotland. When Labour came to power in 1997, he was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, a post Lord George Robertson expected would be his, but Tony Blair made a shrewd choice. Donald Dewar was passionately committed to restoring a Scottish Parliament, and his greatest moment came when he read out the preamble to the Scotland Act "There shall be a Scottish Parliament..."

In 1998 his campaigning with Alex Salmond and Jim Wallace, ably assisted by Sir Sean Connery, resulted in an overwhelming vote in the Referendum for the Parliament, although the sudden death of Princess Diana seemed to cast a shadow on that, too; nonetheless, there was a resounding Yes Yes from the people of Scotland to a Parliament with fiscal powers. His acceptance that there would be no barrier to Scotland proceeding to Independence if the people voted for this was what prompted Alex Salmond to throw the weight of the SNP behind the campaign.

Donald Dewar stood head and shoulders above his Labour colleagues, and his untimely death has profound political implications for Scotland. The Labour Party will now have to select a new First Minister, but Donald Dewar’s place in history is assured; there can only be one first First Minister.

John Swinney, Leader of the SNP, has suspended political campaigning as a mark of respect, and this applies to the Flag in the Wind; next week will see a resumption of normal service.

AND AS WE CONTINUE.........

If you read our first issue of The Flag in the Wind you will know that this is a weekly Internet commentary on the Scottish political scene; if you desire further erudition click on Archives.

 THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY

The Scots Independent Newspaper is independent of the Scottish National Party, but we support the Party in its drive for Independence; while space precludes us commenting on all the issues raised by the 35 MSPs, 6 MPS and 2 MEPs, also the Party Office Bearers, we have provided a link to the SNP Website.

THE FLAG IN THE WIND

The above was the title of a book written in the early Fifties by John MacDonald MacCormick, one of the founder members of the Scottish National Party in 1934. The sub-title was "The Story of the National Movement in Scotland". His comment in the book said "It is perhaps in the symbols which men use that their deepest sentiments are most readily expressed. Flags as well as straws show which way the wind is blowing". A fuller account appears under Features.

 

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