First Minister of Scotland
The First Minister (Prìomh Mhinistear in Scots Gaelic) is the leader of Scotland's national home rule government, the Scottish Executive, which was established in 1999 along with the reconstituted Scottish Parliament.
The Executive is presided over by the First Minister, who is selected in a vote of the Scottish Parliament (Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) and then appointed by the Queen.
The inaugural First Minister, Donald Dewar is seen very much as the Father of the Nation. During his time as Secretary of State for Scotland, his actions and campaigning were instrumental in securing Scottish devolution. His brief term in the office he had helped create ended abruptly when he died of a brain haemorrhage.
First Ministers of Scotland
- Donald Dewar (1999-2000) Labour Party
- Henry McLeish (2000-2001) Labour Party
- Jack McConnell (2001-) Labour Party