Former Deputy First Minister, the Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP is expected to pull no punches in a lecture on the 'Trials and Triumphs of Devolution' at the University of Glasgow next week (Monday 30 October).

Offering a candid insider's assessment of the performance of the Scottish parliament since its inception, Jim Wallace will examine the evolving relationships between the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and local government. The former deputy First Minister will also, for the first time, make the case for a possible role for Scottish political leaders in the reformed House of Lords.

"The Parliament has been a success," says Jim Wallace, "but it has also, let's face it, taken a lot of flak. Perhaps that is no bad thing because it means that politicians at Holyrood are under greater scrutiny. But there is also a paradox here ﾖ which I will be speaking about in more detail in my lecture - that at the same time there is criticism of the Parliament, there are also calls for greater devolved powers."

Jim Gallagher, professor of Government in the Law School at Glasgow University, who organised the event, said: "We are delighted to host this lecture. Jim Wallace has been a big figure in Scottish government - in the run up to devolution and as our first and longest serving Deputy First Minister. He has important insights into how Scotland has been and should be governed, and I am looking forward to hearing them."

The lecture entitled, 'There shall be a Scottish Parliament - An Insider's View of the Trials and Triumphs of Devolution' starts at 6.45pm in the Bute Hall at Glasgow University and is free and open to the public without ticket.

To download a PDF transcript of the speech click here.

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

First published: 26 October 2006