Editing Donald Dewar (section)

==Return to parliament (1979–1999)==
===1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election===
Donald Dewar was selected for the seat of [[Glasgow Garscadden]] by a majority of three, after Dewar's friend in the [[Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers]], MP [[William Small (Scottish politician)|Willie Small]], died unexpectedly. He was returned to parliament at a [[1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election|by-election]] on 13 April 1978, a crucial victory which was seen as halting the rise of the [[Scottish National Party]]. 

===1979 devolution referendum===

In [[1979 Scottish devolution referendum|Scotland's first referendum on devolution]], held in March 1979, he campaigned for a "Yes" vote alongside the Conservative [[Alick Buchanan-Smith (politician)|Alick Buchanan-Smith]] and the Liberal [[Russell Johnston]]. Though they won a narrow majority, it fell short of the 40% required, contributing to the downfall of the Callaghan Government, in May 1979.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

===Front bench opposition===
Dewar gained a parliamentary platform as chairman of the [[Scottish Affairs Select Committee]]. After a year honing his inquisitorial skills, he joined the front bench in November 1980 as a Scottish affairs spokesman when [[Michael Foot]] became party leader. In 1981, as the Labour Party divided itself further due to internal disagreement, Dewar was almost deselected in his constituency by hard left activists, but he successfully defended himself against this threat.

He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming Shadow Scottish Secretary in November 1983. On 21 December 1988, Dewar was in Lockerbie after the bombing of [[Pan Am Flight 103]],<ref>The Scottish Government, 1998</ref> as the member of the Shadow Cabinet in charge of Scottish affairs. In 1992, [[John Smith (Labour Party leader)|John Smith]] made him Shadow [[Welfare spending|Social security]] Secretary and three years later, Dewar was made a Chief Whip for the Labour Party by [[Tony Blair]].