Scottish Government
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Scottish Parliament - 10 years on
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Devolution.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh attended celebrations at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh with First Minister Alex Salmond.
In a statement to the Parliament, the First Minister said:
"This is a historic day for Scotland. The decade since this Scottish Parliament was reconvened has proven to be a remarkable time in our political history.
"A time in which there have been some notable legislative successes. Scotland led the UK in banning smoking in public places, and will lead the world in reducing carbon emissions. These are things in which all Scots should take great pride.
"We have certainly broken the mould - learning how to build a system of governance that reflects and responds to the values of our people.
"Some said it could not be done. That the Parliament was bound to fail, born to fail. But we have - as a Parliament and as a People - proven them to be wrong.
"This Parliament has found its place in Scottish society. It is no longer 'new' in the eyes of our people. In fact, it has become so familiar that many now struggle to recall what it was like not to have a Scottish Parliament.
"As the Scottish Parliament has grown in stature over the last 10 years, so Scotland has grown with it.
"We, the people of Scotland, are enjoying a renewed sense of ourselves. And a new hope for the future. We look forward to the next ten years with confidence - aware of the obvious challenges but seized of the great opportunities.
"Because whatever the future holds, Scotland can and Scotland will flourish."
