Contents
Holyrood Magazine 14-16 Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AF
Editor Mandy Rhodes
Deputy Editor William Peakin Journalists
Katie Mackintosh, Kerry Lorimer, Cera Murtagh, Lynne Whitelaw,
Ross Reid, George Thomson
Production Manager Ross Burns
Production Magnus Fraser
Cover illustration Mary Hutchison
Sales Director Chris Woodcock
Publication Sales Manager Jamie Halcro Johnston
Business Development Andy Crielly, Lesley Wyper, Andrew Ritchie
Marketing Karen Todd
eHolyrood Garry McCooey
Publisher Hamish Miller
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helen@holyrood.com Inside Track
Scottish Lib Dem conference special 12 Interview: Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Tavish Scott, MSP
20 Comment: Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg, MP
23 Opinion: Dr Murray Leith on the future for the Scottish Lib Dems
SNP conference special 26 Interview: First Minister, Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP
34 Opinion: Professor James Mitchell on the parliamentary mix
37 Opinion: Ewan Crawford on whether the SNP will get a second term 40 Focus: Does the Big Society apply in Scotland? 44 Insight: Britain’s asylum system and the search for sanctuary
Portfolios
48 Local Government: What does the future hold for the local government pension scheme?
54 Education: Is reading for enjoyment still important? 59 Health: Family Nurse Partnership and reforming care
63 Justice: Is Britain’s relationship with Europe reaching breaking point?
68 Environment: What makes a successful community environmental project?
73 Business: Interview with VisitScotland’s Malcolm Roughead
Opinion 87 Henry McLeish: AV referendum could help reverse Britain’s declining engagement with politics
88 John Curtice: Te Scottish Lib Dems may forgive Nick Clegg for not visiting in April
89 Jim Sillars: Alex Salmond’s reputation is an SNP asset, but will not be decisive in the election
Regulars
3 Editor’s note: And the ill-informed and frankly, bitchy commentary, particularly from fellow female columnists about what she has decided to do is an embarrassment to the sisterhood.
6 News: New approach for school inspections; homelessness legislation neglected; and Tavish Scott says budget negotiations were positive rehearsal for any future coalition talks
90 Letters: Te Scotland Bill; Single police force; Gaelic education; Prisoners’ rights; Food policy; Aberdeen Western peripheral route
92 Diary: Getting naked with Anne McLaughlin MSP; the FM in brollygate; and bobbies on the beat
94 Last word: On Wendy’s departure
Holyrood is read by MSPs, political and party staff, employees of the Parliament and The Scottish Government, elected members and officials of all Scotland’s local authorities and subscribers from across Scotland’s key organisations and companies. Our aim is to report on the business of government, stimulate debate within it and add to Scotland’s rich democratic culture. MANUSCRIPTS: Address to the Editor, Holyrood Magazine, 14-16 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AF. We do not return unsolicited manuscripts unless accompanied by a SAE.
Address changes and subscription enquiries should be made to Holyrood, 14–16 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AF. Holyrood is published fortnightly except over the summer recess. Annual subscriptions, £195. Annual overseas subscriptions, £249. Printed by Stephens & George. Copyright 2011 Holyrood Communications Ltd.
All rights reserved. No material in Holyrood may be reprinted without permission of the copyright owner. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
SCOTLAND 28 February 2011 Holyrood 5
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First Minister interview p26
TRACKER 78 Forthcoming
Tavish Scott interview p12
Free supplements: Third sector and Local Government
Issue 250 | 28 February 2011
Parliamentary Business
78 First Minister’s Questions 78 Main Chamber Business 79 Upcoming Cross-Party Groups 80 Forthcoming Events Diary 81 Committee Reports 83 Committee Inquiries 84 Legislation in Progress
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