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MSPs sworn in for fifth session of Scottish parliament | MSPs sworn in for fifth session of Scottish parliament |
(about 2 hours later) | |
MSPs have been sworn in for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. | MSPs have been sworn in for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. |
All 129 members took either an oath or an affirmation in the well of the Holyrood chamber. | All 129 members took either an oath or an affirmation in the well of the Holyrood chamber. |
The leaders of Holyrood's five political parties were sworn in first, before the remaining MSPs proceeded in alphabetical order. | The leaders of Holyrood's five political parties were sworn in first, before the remaining MSPs proceeded in alphabetical order. |
With all the MSPs are sworn in, a presiding officer and deputies will be elected, with five contenders currently in the running for the top job. | With all the MSPs are sworn in, a presiding officer and deputies will be elected, with five contenders currently in the running for the top job. |
The SNP is preparing for a return to government, having won 63 seats in the Scottish Parliament elections, two short of an overall majority once the non-partisan presiding officer is elected. | The SNP is preparing for a return to government, having won 63 seats in the Scottish Parliament elections, two short of an overall majority once the non-partisan presiding officer is elected. |
Nicola Sturgeon underlined her party's "loyalty to the people of Scotland" and the "sovereignty of the people" before taking the affirmation. | Nicola Sturgeon underlined her party's "loyalty to the people of Scotland" and the "sovereignty of the people" before taking the affirmation. |
The Scottish Conservatives meanwhile took up a new position in the chamber, having overtaken Labour to be the parliament's second-largest party, with 31 seats. | The Scottish Conservatives meanwhile took up a new position in the chamber, having overtaken Labour to be the parliament's second-largest party, with 31 seats. |
Outgoing Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick oversaw the oaths and affirmations in three 45-minute batches, with MSPs allowed to choose which of the two different statements they make. | Outgoing Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick oversaw the oaths and affirmations in three 45-minute batches, with MSPs allowed to choose which of the two different statements they make. |
The oath of allegiance has members "swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth," concluding with "so help me God". | The oath of allegiance has members "swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth," concluding with "so help me God". |
Meanwhile the affirmation has members "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth," omitting any religious reference. | Meanwhile the affirmation has members "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth," omitting any religious reference. |
Ms Sturgeon, Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Green Patrick Harvie took the affirmation, while Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie and Tory leader Ruth Davidson chose the oath. | Ms Sturgeon, Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Green Patrick Harvie took the affirmation, while Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie and Tory leader Ruth Davidson chose the oath. |
Mr Harvie underlined his party's support for an "elected head of state" before making his affirmation. | Mr Harvie underlined his party's support for an "elected head of state" before making his affirmation. |
Other MSPs made their vows in Doric, Gaelic and Scots as well as English, and SNP members John Swinney, Fulton MacGregor and Humza Yousaf wore kilts. | Other MSPs made their vows in Doric, Gaelic and Scots as well as English, and SNP members John Swinney, Fulton MacGregor and Humza Yousaf wore kilts. |
Analysis by BBC Scotland political reporter Andrew Black | Analysis by BBC Scotland political reporter Andrew Black |
Following the drama of election night, Scotland's 129 MSPs - a mix of faces both familiar and new - gathered for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament since devolution in 1999. | Following the drama of election night, Scotland's 129 MSPs - a mix of faces both familiar and new - gathered for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament since devolution in 1999. |
They swore in either by oath or affirmation, and all were required to pledge allegiance to the Queen - although some members also chose to recite their own, customised versions. | |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as well as affirming, added that her loyalty also lay with the Scottish people, while Green co-leader Patrick Harvie expressed his support for an elected head of state. | First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as well as affirming, added that her loyalty also lay with the Scottish people, while Green co-leader Patrick Harvie expressed his support for an elected head of state. |
Labour left-winger Neil Findlay said Scotland's people should be "citizens, not subjects". | Labour left-winger Neil Findlay said Scotland's people should be "citizens, not subjects". |
And oaths weren't just taken in English. Some MSPs chose to swear in using Gaelic and Urdu, while others opted for Doric, a form of traditional Scots spoken in the north-east. | And oaths weren't just taken in English. Some MSPs chose to swear in using Gaelic and Urdu, while others opted for Doric, a form of traditional Scots spoken in the north-east. |
With all 129 members sworn in, they went on to elect one of their own - Ken Macintosh - as the Scottish Parliament's presiding officer, beating off four other contenders for the job. | |
Today's events at Holyrood were largely procedural. There was a sense of fun and excitement in the parliament's bustling garden lobby, where MSPs of all parties mixed. | |
I wonder how long that will last? |