John Smith Honoured

Smith: would have been 59 last Saturday

Four days after devolution became a reality, one of the greatest advocates of a Scottish Parliament has been honoured by having a train named after him. Baroness Elizabeth Smith wife of the late Labour leader, John Smith, heard glowing tributes to her husband before formally naming the passenger train.

The naming ceremony at Glasgow Central Station was described as a double celebration - of Scotland finally achieving its own parliament after three centuries and as a birthday present for John Smith, who had he lived would have been 59 last Saturday.

ScotRail says it's a fitting tribute for a man who played a key role in Scots history. Scotrail Managing Director, Alistair McPherson said, "We felt this was appropriate. Train-naming has a long tradition as a way of paying respect and recognising the contribution people make to society. That seems a highly appropriate way to recognise John Smith. He was a inspirational leader of his generation and a role model for many Scots."

Before the unveiling, Donald Dewar made it clear that the friend and colleague who shared the vision for Scotland would not agree the business was finished: "He would have seen Thursday's vote as an enormous step forward, but would have made it clear that there was a great deal of work still to be done."

Kena Campbell, who sung at John Smith's funeral three years also sang again today. After this it was left to his widow to launch the electric train which will serve John Smith's former constituents in the west of Scotland.