A momentous responsibility and a historic opportunity: Nicola Sturgeon on Holyrood’s new session

The Queen yesterday opened the new session at the Scottish parliament and urged MSPs to help create a better and healthier country.

She encouraged Holyrood to tackle the challenges of climate change ahead of the Cop26 conference while speaking of the love of Scotland she and her late husband Prince Philip shared.

Responding to the Queen’s speech, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Holyrood had a “momentous responsibility and a historic opportunity” to build a fairer and greener country after the pandemic.

The Queen was accompanied by Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. It was the first time she had attended the ceremony without Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died this year aged 99.

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The Queen told MSPs that as the country emerges from the “adverse and uncertain times” of the pandemic, there was an opportunity for “hope and optimism”.

She said: “The beginning of a new session is a time for renewal and fresh thinking, providing an opportunity to look to the future and our future ­generations. Next month, I will be attending Cop26 events in Glasgow. The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom – and Scotland in particular – as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change.

“There is a key role for the Scottish parliament, as with all parliaments, to help create a better, healthier future for us all, and to engage with the people they represent – especially our young people.”

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The Queen, who has been on her annual break at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, also spoke of the “deep and abiding affection” she and Prince Philip shared of Scotland.

She said: “It is often said that it is the people that make a place. And there are few places where this is truer than in Scotland. As we have seen in recent times. We all know of the difficult circumstances that many people have encountered during the last 18 months. However, alongside this have been countless examples of resilience and goodwill.

“Following my grandson’s time as Lord High Commissioner, Prince William has told me many heartening stories that he heard first hand of people and communities across Scotland uniting to protect and care for those who are isolated or vulnerable.”

Without a doubt, my favourite pic from today’s official opening of @scotparl – a high five from star of the show, Saoirse
(photo credit: Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/QIwhTL3gNL

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 2, 2021

Responding to the Queen’s speech, Sturgeon offered the parliament’s “deep sympathy and shared sorrow” at her loss and thanked her for being a “steadfast friend of our parliament since its establishment in 1999”.

She said: “As we battle through the storm of a global pandemic, hope and the hankering for change is perhaps felt more strongly by more people than at any time in our recent history. That gives this parliament a momentous responsibility and a historic opportunity. Covid has been the biggest crisis to confront the world since the Second World War – it has caused pain and heartbreak, it has exposed and exacerbated the inequalities within our society.

“But it has also revealed ­humankind’s boundless capacity for inventiveness, solidarity and love.

“And, for those of us in public ­service, it has reminded us that, with collective political will, changes that we might previously have thought impossible or just too difficult can indeed be achieved.”

The Royal Conservatoire Brass played Fanfare for the Opening of Parliament 2021, composed by John Wallace, to greet the Queen as she entered the chamber.

The newly-appointed Makar, Kathleen Jamie, recited a poem, The Morrow-bird, specially written for the event which, in the final line, urges MSPs: “Act bold. Be kind. Stay strong.”