There have been many fine tributes to Edinburgh alumnus and former Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace following his sudden death. I know those words will have brought comfort to his wife, Rosie, and their two daughters. Jim was enormously proud of his links to the University of Edinburgh. At a private dinner in December 2023, he made the mistake of saying, “If I can ever do anything to help, just ask.” That led, of course, to what became the In Conversation event in October 2025 with Joanna Cherry, a contemporary of mine and friend from our Edinburgh days. Jim even delayed essential surgery so he would not let us down. On the night he was relaxed, ebullient and generous, just as he always was. The next day he texted to say that although he does many “talking” events, it is rare to truly enjoy one — and this one he had. I first met Jim when he was a young MP in the 1980s and I very nearly went to work for him in 1989. Although I said no, he became the closest thing I have had to a mentor. Our paths crossed often, professionally and personally. We shared links not only to Edinburgh University but also to being born in the same ward of the same hospital, albeit a decade apart. Jim’s great strength was that he saw the best in people. He was the one who encouraged me, within the space of eight weeks, to get married, stand for Parliament and contest a “hopeless” council seat. He knocked on doors for me and sent handwritten notes of encouragement in those pre-WhatsApp days. Against the odds, I won, becoming Scotland’s youngest Liberal Democrat councillor and, as a consequence, Jim’s elected colleague. Years later, he served a decade as party leader, was Deputy First Minister in the first Scottish Administration as well as being called upon three times to be Acting First Minister, firstly when Donald Dewar was ill, then following his unexpected death and again after the resignation of his successor. In 2005, at the height of his influence, he chose to stand down — a decision few politicians make before being forced, and a very clear measure of his judgement. I hope those who could not attend the In Conversation event arranged by the General Council’s Public Affairs Committee, will watch it online. You can see a recording of that event at the link below. Jim helped hugely in the run up to the event - no email or “quick chat” was ever too much trouble if it helped something succeed. Rector, Simon Fanshawe chaired our event with skill, allowing just enough nostalgia and disagreement to keep the discussion lively without any one issue dominating. More recently, Jim had been helping me with a book project. I have an hour of our conversation recorded in the noisy House of Lords canteen, as he reflected on being Donald Dewar’s deputy and shared stories he said he had never told before. Jim, you were one of a kind. You did Edinburgh University proud in countless ways, and you will be missed by far more people than you could ever have known. Devin Scobie General Council 'In Conversation' event - 7 October 2025 This article was published on 2026-02-05
