18 February 2011

John Swinney to take part in devolution seminar

Photo opportunity: 9.50am on Friday, 25th February at Room 2G14, Dalhousie Building. John Swinney MSP will be available for pics ahead of the seminar.

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney will take time off from preparing for May’s Holyrood election to participate in a University of Dundee seminar next week.

‘Scottish Devolution: Past, Present and Future’ is hosted by the University’s Politics department, and takes place on Friday, 25th February. Examining how politics north of the border have changed since devolution, the situation as we approach May’s election, and Scotland’s post-Calman future, the seminar features contributions from Scottish constitutional and political experts.

Mr Swinney will be joined by Jim Johnston, Clerk to the Finance Committee, and Stephen Herbert, a senior researcher from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, in exploring what devolution means to the Scottish people. Professor Chris Whatley, Vice Principal of the University and one of the most respected authorities on Scottish history, will deliver the welcome address ahead of the seminar.

Event organiser Dr Alex Wright, a Politics lecturer at the University, said devolution was at a critical juncture.

'On one hand, Scotland faces severe austerity measures as a result of the economic situation across the UK, but on the other, she is just about to acquire more powers including greater fiscal autonomy,' he said.

'This seminar doesn’t just examine how devolution has evolved, but will also consider how Scottish politics will be transformed in years to come.'

‘Scottish Devolution: Past, Present and Future’ takes place at the Dalhousie Building from 10am on Friday, 25th February. Undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff will be in attendance.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277