Meeting of the Parliament 03 February 2026 [Draft]
It was with enormous shock and sadness that we learned last week of the death of Jim Wallace, whom I had the privilege of knowing both as a political opponent and as a friend over many years.
The last time I saw Jim was back in September, at the Holyrood garden party at the botanic gardens, where we had a good chat and catch-up, typically over a drink. I knew that he had been through some major surgery, and I commended him on how well he was looking, but there were clearly underlying health issues that, very sadly, caught up with him at the much too young age of 71.
Over the past few days, a great deal has been written about Jim’s distinguished career as a lawyer, as a politician and in the church. Until the formation of the celebrated Conservative and Liberal Democrat UK coalition Government in 2010, he was the most senior Liberal to hold political office in Britain for decades, and he performed his duties as Deputy First Minister of Scotland with distinction. In the first session of this Parliament, he was a rock of stability through a period in which there were three Labour First Ministers—Jim was always there, on three occasions having to take on the role of acting First Minister.
Despite his genial manner, Jim was tougher than he looked, as anyone involved in discussions with him would quickly find out. However, he was straightforward and decent in his dealings, and it could truly be said that there was no side to him.
Jim was excellent company. I remember on many occasions sharing a pint and chewing over matters of mutual interest, not least talking football. There we had something in common, because along with Alasdair Morrison, Andy Kerr, myself and a few others, Jim was a member of that informal group known as the Holyrood true blues Rangers supporters club. One of Jim’s proudest moments came in May 2000, when, as Deputy First Minister, he attended the Scottish cup final and was asked to present the cup to the winning captain. That match was between Aberdeen and his beloved Rangers, and he could hardly contain his delight at handing it over to the Rangers captain, Arthur Numan, following a 4-0 victory.
Jim was also a man of faith. He was a loyal elder at St Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall for many years, and it was entirely fitting when he was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, where he took his duties as seriously as he had done when he was Deputy First Minister. More recently, he and Rosie sang in the choir at Dunblane cathedral, maintaining his lifelong link with the kirk.
When people die, there is always an urge to say how nice they were, even if that is not always entirely true. In Jim Wallace’s case, everyone can say that quite truthfully. He was, in all he did and in all his dealings with people, a genuinely nice man. In the words of the former First Minister, Jack McConnell, he was “the best of men”. On behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, I offer my sincerest condolences to Rosie, to Helen, to Clare, to Neil and to the wider family.