Parliamentary Career
From 2008-2011 Alexander served as a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee. She was also convenor of the Scotland Bill Committee, which produced the report for the Scottish Parliament and UK Government in March 2011 proposing new powers for the Scottish Parliament. Many of these proposals recommend greater fiscal autonomy for Scotland, including improved borrowing powers, the ability to issue bonds and further tax devolution. Despite the Scottish Government's initial opposition to the bill they supported the Scotland Bill Committee's recommendations, with parliament voting 121:3 in favour. In her valedictory speech on the Scotland Bill, Alexander said: "This initiative has from beginning to end been cross-party, consensual and co-operative among the participating parties. The bill will deliver the most far-reaching transfer of financial powers from London since the creation of the union. In the future, all Scottish political parties will have to make decisions about raising money as well as about spending it. The bill serves Scotland better It is, quite simply, in the national interest."
She stood down from Parliament in May 2011 to seek a new life outside active politics.
Alexander also serves as a member of the Social Market Foundation’s Advisory Board and Reform Scotland’s Political Advisory Board.
Read more about this topic: Wendy Alexander
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