THE Herald’s Power 100 list is not just about who holds power in Scotland but also about how power has shifted – and in the year since the last Power 100, it has shifted profoundly.
The greatest change can be seen in politics where the consequences of the referendum and the General Election are there for all to see. The top of the list is now dominated by the leading figures of the SNP with Labour politicians sliding down the list or disappearing altogether.
Scotland's Power 100: The top 25
Gone is former Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, as is former shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, who lost his seat to the SNP’s Mhairi Black. Roaring up the list meanwhile is Angus Robertson (above), the redoubtable leader of the SNP in the House of Commons.
Also gone are Danny Alexander, who as chief secretary to the treasury in the last Coalition Government was one of the most powerful Scots in the UK. His fellow Liberal Democrat, the former Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael is also gone. That is the nature of power: it is always temporary and in politics, it can disappear instantly.
The new list also reflects how Scotland is changing in other areas. Last year, Sir Stephen House, the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, was in the number two position on the list, but his departure from the job is imminent with his successor likely to be announced soon.
Scotland's Power 100: 25 to 50
There are some big changes in the business world too, with several new entries from the world of tech. Look out for Nigel and Lesley Eccles (above), co-founders of the fantasy sport gaming group FanDuel, and Graham Williams, head of the travel search engine Skyscanner.
These so-called unicorn companies, start-up firms whose valuation has exceeded $1 billion, may rise and fall, but there will be many more to come. So what does the list mean and how is it drawn up?
Scotland's Power 100: 50 to 75
By power, we mean several things. It can mean the power to make political change, but it can also mean the power to influence that change by leading and directing debate and discussion. And there are different types of power. There is hard power: the ability to make the change happen quickly and there is soft power: the ability to influence minds and work to a longer strategy.
Obviously drawing up a list like this is an inexact science and there are elements of the parlour game about it, but it was drawn up by a panel of The Herald’s editors and writers led by Magnus Llewellin, Editor-in-Chief of The Herald & Times Group, and we think it is a good reflection of those who hold power in modern Scotland.
Scotland's Power 100: 75 to 100
And we would like to know what you think. Is there someone who has been wrongly left off the list? What does the list say about modern Scotland? Is the fact that so much power is still held by white, middle-aged men disturbing? Do you see signs of the power base in Scotland shifting?
Tell us what you think in the Comments section.
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