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Robin Harper, Scotland's first Green parliamentarian, celebrates with Mark Ballard, who had just been elected as the party's second MSP for Lothian alongside Mr Harper. The Greens made other gains across Scotland, increasing their total representation in the Scottish Parliament from two to seven. Mr Harper served as co-convener of the party until 2008 and remained an MSP until steping down at the 2011 election. Mr Ballard served only one term before leaving the parliament in 2007. Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count.The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians.Pic.... Neil Hanna Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count. The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians. Pic.... Neil HannaRobin Harper, Scotland's first Green parliamentarian, celebrates with Mark Ballard, who had just been elected as the party's second MSP for Lothian alongside Mr Harper. The Greens made other gains across Scotland, increasing their total representation in the Scottish Parliament from two to seven. Mr Harper served as co-convener of the party until 2008 and remained an MSP until steping down at the 2011 election. Mr Ballard served only one term before leaving the parliament in 2007. Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count.The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians.Pic.... Neil Hanna Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count. The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians. Pic.... Neil Hanna
Robin Harper, Scotland's first Green parliamentarian, celebrates with Mark Ballard, who had just been elected as the party's second MSP for Lothian alongside Mr Harper. The Greens made other gains across Scotland, increasing their total representation in the Scottish Parliament from two to seven. Mr Harper served as co-convener of the party until 2008 and remained an MSP until steping down at the 2011 election. Mr Ballard served only one term before leaving the parliament in 2007. Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count.The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians.Pic.... Neil Hanna Scottish Parliament elections 2003 - Meadowbank Count. The Greens' Robin Harper (l) and Mark Ballard salute their victories as list MSPs for the Lothians. Pic.... Neil Hanna

Scotland's rainbow parliament: Looking back at 2003 election 20 years on - in pictures

Greens, Socialists and independents changed the face of the new parliament as the two main parties lost seats
By Ian Swanson
Published 2nd May 2023, 13:59 GMT
Updated 2nd May 2023, 14:00 GMT

It was only the second time voters had elected the Scottish Parliament, but on May 1, 2003, they chose a more politically diverse range of MSPs than Scotland has seen before or since.

The two biggest parties, Labour and the SNP, both lost seats and instead a sizeable number of Greens, Socialists and independents were elected to the parliament’s benches. When all the votes were counted, Labour had 50 seats, the SNP 27, the Tories 18 and Lib Dems 17, but there were seven Greens and six Scottish Socialists, where before they had one MSP each. Margo MacDonald was elected as an independent Lothian MSP, the equally independent Dennis Canavan was re-elected in Falkirk West, there was an MSP representing the Scottish Senior Citizens Party and another from the Save Stobhill Hospital campaign.

The Labour-Lib Dem coalition remained in power, but the character of the parliament over the next four years was different from before. And the number of independents grew when an SNP MSP and a Tory MSP were expelled from their parties.

Here are 13 pictures of the 2003 campaign and the election night as the results were declared.

The Labour-Lib Dem coalition remained in power, but the character of the parliament over the next four years was different from before. And the number of independents grew when an SNP MSP and a Tory MSP were expelled from their parties.

Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie launches a poster campaign on Edinburgh's Regent Road, branding the Scottish Parliament building project "Follyrood" because of the ever-increasing price. While Labour and the SNP both lost seats at the election and the Greens and Scottish Socialists made impressive gains, the Tories - and the Lib Dems - both maintained their existing number of MSPs. Mr McLetchie won Edinburgh Pentlands from Labour, but stepped down as leader in 2005 in a row over taxi expenses. He remained as an MSP but died of cancer in 2013, aged 61.

5. 'Follyrood' attack

Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie launches a poster campaign on Edinburgh's Regent Road, branding the Scottish Parliament building project "Follyrood" because of the ever-increasing price. While Labour and the SNP both lost seats at the election and the Greens and Scottish Socialists made impressive gains, the Tories - and the Lib Dems - both maintained their existing number of MSPs. Mr McLetchie won Edinburgh Pentlands from Labour, but stepped down as leader in 2005 in a row over taxi expenses. He remained as an MSP but died of cancer in 2013, aged 61. Photo: Phil Wilkinson

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Margo MacDonald, who was elected as a Lothian SNP MSP in 1999, stood as an independent after she was pushed so far down the party's ranking that it gave her no chance of getting re-elected. She won comfortably and, freed from party constraints, went on to campaign on sometimes controversial issues, including tolerance zones for sex workers and assisted dying. She proved ever popular with the public and was re-elected in 2007 and 2011 and continued serving as an MSP right up to her death in 2014.

6. Independent mind

Margo MacDonald, who was elected as a Lothian SNP MSP in 1999, stood as an independent after she was pushed so far down the party's ranking that it gave her no chance of getting re-elected. She won comfortably and, freed from party constraints, went on to campaign on sometimes controversial issues, including tolerance zones for sex workers and assisted dying. She proved ever popular with the public and was re-elected in 2007 and 2011 and continued serving as an MSP right up to her death in 2014. Photo: Phil Wilkinson

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Scottish Socialist Colin Fox celebrates his election as a Lothian MSP. He was one of six Socialists to win seats as part of the "rainbow" parliament which also included an influx of Greens and independents. But the Scottish Socialist Party would later be hit by a sex scandal surrounding its leader Tommy Sheridan who then formed a new party Solidarity. But they all lost their seats at the next election in 2007.

7. Socialist triumph

Scottish Socialist Colin Fox celebrates his election as a Lothian MSP. He was one of six Socialists to win seats as part of the "rainbow" parliament which also included an influx of Greens and independents. But the Scottish Socialist Party would later be hit by a sex scandal surrounding its leader Tommy Sheridan who then formed a new party Solidarity. But they all lost their seats at the next election in 2007. Photo: Neil Hanna

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Iain Duncan Smith, UK leader of the Conservative Party, visited Edinburgh and held a press conference at Central Office in Princes Street. But he was already under attack for failing to make much impact with the electorate and six months later he was forced to resign after losing a vote of confidence among Tory MPs, making him the first Tory leader since Neville Chamberlain not to lead his party in a general election campaign.

8. Tory out

Iain Duncan Smith, UK leader of the Conservative Party, visited Edinburgh and held a press conference at Central Office in Princes Street. But he was already under attack for failing to make much impact with the electorate and six months later he was forced to resign after losing a vote of confidence among Tory MPs, making him the first Tory leader since Neville Chamberlain not to lead his party in a general election campaign. Photo: Neil Hanna

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