Former FM special adviser gives 'view from the inside'

Adrian Colwell, a former special adviser to Jack McConnell during his years as First Minister, gave 'a view from the inside' of government when he delivered a research seminar at the University of Dundee Wednesday October 10th 2007.

Mr Colwell spent over five years as a Special Adviser to Mr McConnell in the Scottish Parliament and played a key role in creating and shaping the policy priorities pursued between 2003 and 2007.

He visited the University to give a research seminar to Town and Regional Planning students. In the seminar, titled 'A View From The Inside: Planning For A New Scotland', he reviewed how policy is formed in the Scottish Government, with particular reference to the areas he worked upon - physical development and public finance.

He will also discussed some of the policy choices set to arise over the next four years as Scottish devolution moves forward into a new phase.

"Adrian Colwell is someone with very recent experience of how planning shapes policy at the highest level of Government and we are delighted that he is taking the time to come and speak to our students," said Tony Jackson, senior lecturer in Town and Regional Planning.

"This research seminar should be of interest both to academics and students in planning and related political and social sciences and humanities, as well as to a wide range of public and private sector policy-makers."