POLITICALLY, it was a time when Tony Blair was in Downing Street and George W Bush in the White House and the then Scottish Executive was in its second full year following devolution.
World events in 2001 included the horror of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, Blair’s foray into Afghanistan and the conviction of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie.
Now files opened for the first time at the National Records of Scotland shed light on what was occupying the minds of Scotland’s politicians at a turbulent time.
Labour ruled the Scottish Executive roost and the Scottish National Party were in opposition.
The papers cover a raft of subjects, including the resignation of Henry McLeish as First Minister after the “Officegate” scandal, over his sub-letting of part of his constituency office in Glenrothes, but failing to register the income received with House of Commons authorities. Jack McConnell was appointed his successor.
Others cover the discussion about introducing proportional representation for local elections, reform of free personal care for the elderly and Scotland’s bid to host Euro 2008.
There is also an insight into Labour attempts to discredit the SNP. Under the heading “Fiscal Separation” lurks a Scottish Cabinet paper on “Financial Arrangements for the Scottish Parliament” that included a consideration of alternatives to the Barnett Formula, the calculation used by the Treasury to dictate levels of public expenditure in the devolved nations.
An annex to the main paper, titled “Political Lines to Take”, reads: “The SNP continue to lie about the costs of independence. Their fantasy figures don’t add up.
“The SNP are already committed to increasing income tax for high earners. The reality of divorce from the UK would be higher taxes for ALL Scots.
“The SNP want to risk tying the future of Scotland’s public services to the volatile behaviour of one commodity, oil. That is economic folly. The reason the SNP want fiscal autonomy is as a back door to independence.”
The papers reveal the Cabinet’s collective horror at the World Trade Centre attacks, at the “extent of devastation and suffering almost beyond comprehension”, with ministers agreeing to write to the US Consul in Edinburgh expressing the Scottish Executive’s condolences and that “the thoughts of all Scots are with the people of the US”.
The attacks feature again in papers from the following month, which show Cabinet concern over the financial impact on Scotland: “The impact on tourism is thought to be £50 million in the current financial year with the quality hotel sector and cities most affected.”
However, ministers heard that there could be a “compensating rise in the number of UK visitors” to Scotland, and the national tourist agency VisitScotland was increasing it activity in the US focusing on business tourism and golf.
It had also “reduced campaign spend in the US by £700,000” and was looking to “increase spend in Germany, France and Benelux”, which all had direct access to Scotland.
The files which have just been made public form part of the annual release of archived information by the Scottish Government. Since 2009 it has opened almost 14,000 files at 15 years.
Tim Ellis, NRS chief executive and Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said: “Preserving Scottish Government records and making them available to the public is a key part of our role at the National Records of Scotland, and this annual release of information can give us a fascinating insight into our recent history.
“In addition to a change of First Minister, 2001 saw considerable activity across a wide range of policy areas. I have no doubt that the papers now available will be very interesting reading to a great many people.”
Minister for Parliamentary Business Joe Fitzpatrick added: “Traditionally, we have had a lot of interest in the annual release of Scottish Government archives, and this year promises to be no different.
“The archives give the public greater insight into the pressing issues and discourse of the time, and their release further strengthens our position as an open and transparent government.”
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