Voice of the People

Uncover the massive political transformations Scotland has undergone during the last 100 years.

Intellectual and radical challenge has always been part of the Scottish tradition, and continues today.

Suffragettes and strikers

Scots have always been vocal in their support for political movements.

The suffragette campaign and war work of women led to a limited extension of votes for women in 1918. This resulted in women becoming more involved in politics in Scotland.

Many Scottish union members participated in the first ever General Strike in 1926, and Scots were also vocal in protesting against the poll tax in the early 1990s. You can see video footage of these events in the gallery.

The Scottish Parliament

Despite the formation of the Scottish National Party in 1934, loyalty to the Union of 1707 remained largely unchallenged in Scotland until the 1970s. For most people, constitutional debate seemed less important than more pressing problems of every day life, such as recession and unemployment.

However, in the 1990s, devolution began to attract support from campaigners across the country. On 9 September 1997, a referendum was held to decide whether there should be a Scottish Parliament and whether that Parliament should have tax raising powers. The majority of Scots voted yes to both proposals. On 1 July 1999 a Scottish Parliament met in Edinburgh for the first time since the Act of Union in 1707.

'Stop the world. Scotland wants to get on'

"When I won the Hamilton by-election in 1967 I was asked when I had become a Nationalist. I replied when I was eleven, on a trip through the Kyles of Bute seeing the beauty, I felt an anger that we were not a member of the World of Nations.

"As an MP from 1967 to 70 I was puzzled that Scotland's Unionist parties were content with Scotland's lack of decision making - I remain as puzzled today.

"In the European Parliament, with opportunities to join international organisations, I met many distinguished international politicians who asked 'what is taking Scotland so long?' I found a great goodwill for Scotland internationally, yet we allow big decisions about Scotland to be made by London, often to our detriment."

'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. This, a moment anchored in our history.

"Today, we reach back through the long haul to win this Parliament, through the struggles of those who brought democracy to Scotland, to that other Parliament dissolved in controversy nearly three centuries ago.

"Today, we look forward to the time when this moment will be seen as a turning point: the day when democracy was renewed in Scotland, when we revitalised our place in this, our United Kingdom.

I look forward to the days ahead when this chamber will sound with debate, argument and passion. When men and women from all over Scotland will meet to work together for a future built from the first principles of social justice."

Taken from Dewar's speech at the opening of the Scottish Parliament, 1 July 1999.