Editing Donald Dewar (section)

==First Minister of Scotland (1999–2000)==
[[File:Donald Dewar First Minister.jpg|thumb|right|Official first ministerial portrait, 1999]] 

===Election===
On 13 May 1999, Dewar was elected by the [[Scottish Parliament]] for the nominee for [[First Minister of Scotland]], after receiving 71 votes by MSPs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} UK Politics {{!}} Dewar wins top job |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/342318.stm |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On 17 May, he received the [[Royal warrant of appointment (United Kingdom)|Royal Warrant of Appointment]] by [[Elizabeth II|Her Majesty the Queen]] at [[Holyroodhouse]] and was officially sworn in at the [[Court of Session]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Glasgow :: World Changing:: First Minister of Scotland 1999-2000 |url=https://www.worldchanging.glasgow.ac.uk/article/?id=42 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=www.worldchanging.glasgow.ac.uk |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172412/https://www.worldchanging.glasgow.ac.uk/article/?id=42 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} UK Politics {{!}} Dewar appointed as first minister |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/345189.stm |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> 

{{blockquote|There shall be a Scottish parliament.' Through long years, those words were first a hope, then a belief, then a promise. Now they are a reality.|Dewar, at the official opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July 1999.<ref>Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations</ref>}}

=== Entering government ===
{{main|Dewar government}}

Although Scottish Labour won more seats than any other party, they did not have a majority in Parliament to allow them to form an Executive without the help of a smaller party. A deal was agreed with the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] to form a coalition, with Dewar agreeing to their demand for the abolition of up front tuition fees for university students.<ref>''The Guardian'', 1999</ref>

On 13 May 1999, Dewar was nominated as first minister, and was officially appointed by the Queen on 17 May at a ceremony in the [[Palace of Holyroodhouse]]. He later travelled to the [[Court of Session]] to be sworn in by the [[Lord President of the Court of Session|lord president]] and receive the [[Great Seal of Scotland]].<ref>''BBC News'', 1999a</ref> 

Dewar made his initial appointments to the first [[Scottish cabinet]] in over 300 years in May 1999. Before the formal announcement of his cabinet appointments, Dewar said that he was "confident" that he had "chosen a strong team who will serve Scotland well".<ref name="Dewar announces first cabinet">{{cite web |title=DONALD DEWAR ANNOUNCES FIRST CABINET - AND DEPUTY MINISTERS |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/archive/donald-dewar-announces-first-cabinet-and-deputy-ministers-19-05-1999/ |website=Local Government Chronicle (LGC) |access-date=5 November 2024 |language=en |date=19 May 1999}}</ref> 

[[File:Meeting of the Dewar cabinet 1999.jpg|thumb|left|Dewar chairs the first reconvened Scottish Cabinet as First Minister]] 

Dewar decided to re–organise most of the former portfolios of the preceding [[Scottish Office]], the department of the UK Government responsible for Scotland prior to the establishment of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament. The only exception to this was the creation of a new ministerial post for justice and the introduction of new ministerial posts for children and education, social inclusion, local government and housing, a minister to be responsible for rural affairs and the first Scottish finance minister who would be directly responsible for the budget of the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="Dewar announces first cabinet"/>

Ahead of announcing his cabinet, Dewar advocated that he had created his team in order to ensure the Scottish Labour and Scottish Liberal Democrat coalition would be an effective administration for Scotland.<ref name="Who's who in the Scottish cabinet">{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} UK Politics {{!}} Who's who in the Scottish Cabinet |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/346326.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref> Some of the key appointments to Dewar's cabinet included [[Jim Wallace]] as the [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|deputy first minister]] and [[Minister for Justice]], [[Henry McLeish]] was appointed as the [[Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning]] and [[Sam Galbraith]] who was appointed as the [[Minister for Health]].<ref name="Who's who in the Scottish cabinet"/> 

As first minister, Dewar was also responsible for the appointment of the two highest law officers of Scotland. Both [[Lord Hardie]] and [[Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby|Colin Boyd]] continued in their respective roles as [[Lord Advocate]] and [[Solicitor General for Scotland]] following their initial appointments in 1997.<ref name="Second 11 revealed by Dewar"/><ref name="Who's who in the Scottish cabinet"/> Less than 24 hours after announcing his cabinet, Dewar announced the eleven junior ministers of his cabinet.<ref name="Second 11 revealed by Dewar">{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} UK Politics {{!}} 'Second 11' revealed by Dewar |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/347061.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Legislation proposals ===
[[File:Alexander Falconer, Kenneth D. Collins, David Martin, Donald Dewar, Bill Miller, Hugh R. McMahon and Alex Smith in Strasbourg 01.jpg|thumb|right|Dewar (centre) in [[Strasbourg]], February 1999]] 

Ahead of forming the coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Dewar was urged not to succumb to pressure to scrap tuition fees in Scotland, mostly by the then [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] [[Gordon Brown]] and education secretary [[David Blunkett]] of the UK Government. The Scottish Liberal Democrats claimed that any agreement to form a coalition administration with the Scottish Labour Party would require a commitment for tuition fees to be scrapped, and that the party would "not compromise" on the issue.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Seenan |first1=Gerard |last2=MacAskill |first2=Ewen |last3=Carvel |first3=John |last4=Seenan |first4=Gerard |title=Fees headache for Dewar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/may/10/scotlanddevolution.devolution |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 November 2024 |date=10 May 1999}}</ref> 

On 16 June, Dewar set out the legislative programme for the Executive which included: an Education bill to improve standards in Scottish schools; land reform to give right of access to the countryside, [[Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000|a bill]] to abolish the feudal system of land tenure; and [[National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000|a bill]] to establish [[National parks of Scotland|national parks in Scotland]].<ref name=":0">''BBC News'', 1999b</ref>

On 23 March 2000, Dewar presided over the launch of a consultation paper by his Minister for Justice, Jim Wallace, on stalking and harassment in Scotland. The Scottish Executive intended for the consultation paper to be used as an exercise to consult with the public to determine whether existing [[Scots law]] was sufficient to protect victims of stalking and harassment or whether to determine that new laws should be introduced. Wallace claimed that the "Scottish Executive was well aware of the devastating consequences stalking can have".<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} SCOTLAND {{!}} Stalking law inquiry begins |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/687316.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Adult literacy rates ===

In May 2000, a report indicated that 400,000 Scots were unable to source employment as a result of poor adult literacy rates, with the estimated total being roughly one million adults deemed as "functionally illiterate". In response, Henry McLeish, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in the Dewar government confirmed that "efforts would be made to gather exact statistics to tackle the issue". Dewar and the government were criticised due to there being a considerable lack of opportunities and programmes available to provide basic adult education similar to programmes that had already been established in [[England]] and in [[Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Kirsty |title=Scotland faces problem of 1m illiterate adults |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/may/16/education.educationnews |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 November 2024 |date=16 May 2000}}</ref>

=== Social justice and poverty === 
[[File:Donald Dewar.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Dewar, c. 1999]]

During his tenure as first minister, Dewar claiming that tackling [[poverty]] was the main agenda for the Scottish Executive. To reduce the level of poverty in Scotland, Dewar vowed that Scottish Executive policy would largely follow the policy agenda as set by the UK Government, claiming that the "exchange of ideas with Westminster is vital" but claimed that "we must never be afraid to take a different path when that is in Scotland's interest". Dewar supported an increase in spending available from the UK Government to be used by the Scottish Executive and had indicated that additional funds could be used to progress the executive's work on tackling poverty.<ref name="Dewar sets out his course">{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} SCOTLAND {{!}} Dewar sets out his course |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/880013.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>

Under Dewar, the Scottish Executive also spearheaded policy relating to social justice, including deprivation and disadvantage. Dewar stated that the executive was committed to tackling the core root of the issues to be "sure that all our children have the best start in life" whilst also advocating the role education and employment plays in social justice.<ref name="Dewar sets out his course"/>

=== Education and employment === 

During his time in office, Dewar presided over record levels of employment in Scotland and advocated that this was in part the responsibility of his executives agenda and policies. Dewar claimed that the introduction of quality child-care, the national minimum income guarantee for pensioners and the establishment of the "New Deal" had "laid the foundations" for an increase in employment in the country. Additionally, Dewar was hopeful that strong numbers of 18 year olds in full time education would continue to increase under his premiership, stating that he wanted to "skill the workforce, not only to make the Scottish economy truly competitive but to provide opportunities for the individual".<ref name="Dewar sets out his course"/>

===Absence for surgery=== 

Around April 2000, Dewar temporarily stepped back from his duties as first minister to allow him to undergo [[heart surgery]]. For a period of four months, he was succeeded by his deputy first minister [[Jim Wallace]] as ''Acting'' first minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=Remembering Donald Dewar - a decade on |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11455257 |website=BBC News |access-date=5 November 2024 |date=3 October 2010}}</ref> Following his surgery, Dewar publicly thanked [[NHS Scotland]] for their "care and commitment" in which he claimed "did so much for me over this period". 

Upon resuming his post of first minister in August 2000, Dewar praised Wallace's tenure as acting first minister, acknowledging his "distinction, style and energy" and praised his "success at question time is only the most visible aspect of a job well done". Additionally, Dewar issued a public message of thanks to both the Scottish Parliament and cabinet colleagues for messages following his surgery. Upon resuming his government duties, Dewar was said to be "in fine form" with Dewar claiming he was "looking forward to working with colleagues to drive forward the Executive's agenda".<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} SCOTLAND {{!}} Dewar sets out his course |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/880013.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Lobbygate scandal ===
[[File:Opening of the Scottish Parliament, 1999.jpg|thumb|right|Dewar (left) at the state opening of the [[Scottish Parliament]] alongside [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament|Presiding Officer]] [[David Steel]], 1999]]

One of the first scandals to hit the new Scottish Parliament occurred when allegations that the lobbying arm of public relations company Beattie Media had privileged access to ministers were published, prompting Dewar to ask the standards committee to investigate the reports.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/458002.stm "Probe launched into lobbying allegations"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222115148/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/458002.stm|date=22 December 2007}}, ''BBC News''</ref> The minister for finance, [[Jack McConnell]], was called to appear before the standards committee during the investigation although he was later cleared of any wrongdoing and the committee declared there was no evidence he had been influenced from lobbying by Beattie Media.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/492536.stm "Scotland Standards watchdog clears McConnell"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031215052412/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/492536.stm|date=15 December 2003}} ''BBC News''</ref>

Dewar also threatened to sack any minister or aide who briefed the media against another member of the Scottish Executive, following public rows between Jack McConnell and [[Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care|Health Minister]] [[Susan Deacon]] over the budget allocated to health .<ref>[http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/search_details.cfm?News_id=5659&keysearch=McConnell Public Finance- 14 July 2000] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007215718/http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/search_details.cfm?News_id=5659&keysearch=McConnell|date=7 October 2007}}</ref>

=== 2000 SQA examinations controversy ===
{{Main articles|2000 SQA examinations controversy}}
The introduction in Scotland of the reformed examinations system in 2000 was criticised in the press and by the Government after a series of administrative and computer errors led to several thousand incorrect [[Higher (Scottish)|Higher]] and Intermediate certificates being sent out by post. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Dewar stated he "greatly regrets" the errors made by the SQA but assured the parliament that he was aware that "many people are working hard to put matters right". Dewar announced that independent consultants had been drafted in by the Scottish Executive to investigate the issue.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} SCOTLAND {{!}} Dewar sets out his course |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/880013.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>

The crisis took several months to resolve, and several management figures including the [[Chief executive officer|Chief Executive]], Ron Tuck, resigned or lost their jobs as a result.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Millar |first1=Stuart |title=Exams head quits as crisis deepens |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/aug/13/education.educationnews |website=The Observer |access-date=5 November 2024 |date=13 August 2000}}</ref>

On 15 August 2000, it was announced that several senior officials with the [[Scottish Qualification Authority]] (SQA) would be facing disciplinary action as a result of the error. ''[[BBC News]]'' suggested that Chief Executive Ron Tuck and the Minister for Education [[Sam Galbraith]] were "kept in the dark" about the problems. It had been announced that concerns were raised months prior to the error being made that exam results would not be ready when expected but assurances continued to be provided that results would be issued on time and when expected. Bill Morton became the new Chief Executive of the SQA, the organisations third in only five days, and upon his appointment said that the reassessing of exam results was his priority and that of the SQA.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} SCOTLAND {{!}} SQA chiefs face disciplinary action |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/881115.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>

===International relations and visits===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|-
! {{Abbr|#|Visit number}}
! Country
! Areas visited
! Dates
! class="unsortable" | Details<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/?term=first%20minister%20&cat=filter&publicationTypes=foi-eir-release&page=1 | title=Publications }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1|'''1'''
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|[[Brussels]] 
|{{sort|01|October 10–13, 1999}}
|Scotland Week events, as well as addressing the Democratic renewal seminar
|-
|rowspan=1|'''2'''
|{{Flag|Ireland}}
|[[Dublin]] 
|{{sort|01|October 29, 1999}}
|Meeting with the [[Taoiseach]]
|-
|rowspan=1|'''3'''
|{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|
|{{sort|01|December 8, 1999}}
|Gave the William and Mary lecture and met with the Dutch Justice Minister
|-
|rowspan=1|'''4'''
|{{Flag|Japan}}
|
|{{sort|01|April 10 – 14, 2000}}
|Inward Investment visit
|-
|rowspan=1|'''5'''
|{{Flag|Ireland}}
|Dublin
|{{sort|01|September 29, 2000}}
|Delivered speech to the Irish-Scottish Academic Initiative
|}