Scotland needs more politicians like 'decent, thoughtful, dutiful' Jim Wallace
‘Jim was the kind of politician that gives politics a good name,’ says Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander
Jim Wallace lived an extraordinary life. He was an MP and an MSP, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Deputy First Minister, a member of the House of Lords, Advocate General, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He also served as acting First Minister on three occasions.
Following his death at the age of 71, John Swinney spoke for many when he described him as “a man of principle, a man of faith, and a man of deep courtesy and kindness to everyone he encountered”. These remarks were echoed by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander who said: “Jim was the kind of politician that gives politics a good name. Decent, thoughtful and dutiful, he embodied much that is best in our national life.”
There were many other tributes, all in the same vein, from across the political spectrum.
Scotland needs more politicians like Jim Wallace, people who are prepared to work across party lines because their chief concern is not defeating or humiliating a political opponent, but the practical business of changing the world for the better. He will be much missed.
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