The Scottish First Ministers from 1999 to 2014: Role, Power and Leadership

Abstract

This article analyses the achievements of the Scottish First Ministers in the original context of Scotland's newly-created devolved institutions between 1999 and 2014. It notably focuses on the role and power of these political leaders, the conditions which have framed their leadership, the way successive First Ministers have built their legitimacy and influence, faced challenges and constraints, interacted with their supporters and dealt with public opinion and the media.