Former First Minister Jack McConnell (Image: Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament) Get the latest Scottish crime and courts news sent straight to your inbox with our daily Criminal Record newsletter More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Get the latest Scottish crime and courts news sent straight to your inbox with our daily Criminal Record newsletter Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice I have watched events in
Scotland over recent days with my head in my hands. Twenty five years ago this week hundreds of candidates were kicking off their campaigns to join the new Scottish Parliament in
elections on May 6, 1999. Devolved power gave those of us who were elected a chance to tackle Scotland’s long standing problems. Through leadership and legislation the new ministers and MSPs could transform land ownership, create new rights and build a Scotland fit for the 21st century. And we did. New laws in 2000 abolished feudal tenure and protected adults with incapacity, by 2004 we had created rights for vulnerable children and those with special educational needs, secured countryside access, and supported victims of crime. Read More Related Articles Hate crime act causes havoc at
police Scotland with cops braced for surge in reports over Old Firm Read More Related Articles Humza Yousaf tells critics of hate crime law to 'stop peddling misinformation' Other legislation banned smoking in public places and delivered health, education, justice and environmental reforms. These Acts endured and succeeded because each time there was wide consultation, clear (sometimes difficult) decisions were made, and delivery engaged those affected. Politics and government had a focus on the people. Sometimes leadership took a different turn – confronting division by persuasion and dialogue. Following horrific racist violence in Glasgow in 2001, we launched and led One Scotland, Many Cultures until 2005. It ran through our government’s work like a thread, changing attitudes and life experiences in Scotland. Twenty years ago we held two Sectarianism Summits. At the time some wanted me to to ban Orange marches or legislate against what people were singing on the terraces at Celtic Park or Ibrox . Top news stories today Cop stole dead dad's iPad and phone Woman who kept tot in cage found dead Mum died after ex set her on
fire Passerby pulls woman from car wreckage But I thought the best road was to change hearts and minds through bringing
Football clubs, churches, marching groups, schools and others together to set targets and deliver real change. This initiative had real momentum but sadly it was abandoned after the 2007
election. Sectarian behaviour grew again. In 2012, my successors chose to legislate rather than lead. The Offensive Behaviour At Football Act (2012) made things worse. Hard to implement, it polarised people and increased division. It was repealed in 2018 but lessons were not learned. The new Scottish Hate Crime Act is in danger of going the same way. And this was entirely predictable. Tight budgets set by SNP/Green ministers mean Police Scotland already don’t follow up every crime. Now they must deal with all these potential offences, many of which are simply spurious. Instead of healing division and changing attitudes, Scottish ministers have created a law that seems unworkable. Join the Daily Record
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BREAKING news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. And on a key flashpoint with this legislation – the arguments between feminist and transgender campaigners – excluding crimes against
Women from the Act has inflamed the situation with many women feeling their concerns are ignored. This is exactly what good legislation should seek to avoid. Good political leadership should try to win the argument, build a consensus not sow division. The early years of the Scottish Parliament showed how to use the powers of home rule to legislate well and lead change in Scotland, but this Hate Crime Act looks like the opposite. And that is why it might fail. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter . Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow Daily Record
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