As Scotland mourns the passing of Lord Wallace, Brian Taylor asks what remains of the early devolution settlement – and how that will shape the coming election contest.

With the sad passing of Jim Wallace, Scotland has lost one of the founders of our devolved Parliament. A moment to mark his service – and to consider what that Parliament has become.

Jim was a fine man. Highly intelligent, yet studiously humble. A politician of principle who was prepared to be pragmatic. The word I deployed in a wireless tribute was “wise”. Not a description I would accord to many.

My deepest sympathies to his widow Rosie and his family.

As I thought about Jim, I glanced at a book I wrote about the creation and early days of our reconvened Parliament. On the cover, a group photograph of the four main party leaders at the time.

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Donald Dewar, Alex Salmond, David McLetchie. And Jim Wallace. All now deceased. Perhaps Jim’s passing closes those early chapters – as Holyrood prepares to enter a new phase, with the elections in May.

Because devolved politics has changed. And may yet change more.

When Jim Wallace and Donald Dewar formed the first governing coalition, it seemed pre-destined. Labour and the Liberal Democrats had worked closely together in the cross-party Convention which constructed the new political settlement.

Indeed, if Donald Dewar was the Father of the Scottish Parliament – a title he cordially loathed – then Jim Wallace was at least a co-parent.

As deputy First Minister, Jim stepped up to assume the top job temporarily when Donald Dewar died and Henry McLeish resigned. In doing so, he earned respect and admiration. Scotland........

© Herald Scotland