One which enables Scotland to play a leading role in Britain and through its partnership in the United Kingdom - a leading role in European and world affairs. July 1st marks a new beginning for Scotland. An opportunity to bring government closer to the people of Scotland. But devolution of power to Scotland is not the end. It is merely the end of the beginning - the beginning of that process of bringing government closer to the people.
Devolution is about sharing power.
It is about tolerance for the views of others. That means working in partnership to achieve the greatest benefits for Scotland as whole. The role of the Secretary of State for Scotland and that of the First Minister in the Scottish Executive are complementary. I look forward to working closely with Donald Dewar in the months and years ahead to ensure that the needs of Scotland's people are met. I hope all of us here tonight will be prepared to work in that same spirit of partnership in order to ensure that devolution brings the benefits the people of Scotland want and which I am sure devolution can deliver.