Holyrood 'lights up Scots life'

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Holyrood's presiding officer has brought the second term of the Scottish Parliament to an emotional end.

Party leaders also paid tribute to the stewardship of George Reid, who said Holyrood had made a real difference to people in Scotland.

Among them was the SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, who said he would be a "hard act to follow".

Mr Reid's wife, Dee, shed tears in the public gallery as her husband banged his gavel for the last time.

He decided to step down as MSP for Ochil, ending a 33-year political career.

<a class="bodl" href="/1/hi/scotland/6506037.stm">MSPs reflect on last day of term</a>

Speaking near the end of his four-year tenure as Holyrood presiding officer, he said: "Since '99 we have grown in confidence, commitment, clarity of debate.

"In this chamber, in committee and in our constituencies we have all worked long and hard to make a real difference to the daily lives of the people of Scotland.

"We are now widely seen as a participative parliament firmly founded in our principles of accountability, accessibility, equality of opportunity and the sharing of power."

Mr Reid, whose voice faltered as he paid tribute to his staff, constituents and wife, added: "We have started to let the light shine in on Scottish life. We have opened the doors and given Holyrood to the people."

And he finished by telling MSPs: "Go forth now from this place and into the election battle.

"Return to your regions and constituencies and prepare the next chapter in Scotland's story."