MSP For Ayr
In the first elections to the Scottish Parliament in May 1999, Welsh won the seat of Ayr by just 25 votes (0.07%) over the Conservative and Unionist candidate Phil Gallie. The seat was the most marginal of the election, and there had to be two full recounts. He was named to the Education, Culture and Sport committee of the Parliament. In November 1999 he cautioned the members of the committee not to intervene in delicate negotiations over funding of Hampden Park before it had a full briefing from the Minister responsible.
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