A Celebration of (James) Andrew Tweedie
& his Vision for a Constitution for Scotland.

A Switch to Public Service

He then decided to concentrate his professional career in serving the public and joined the NHS where he worked for the last 18 years as a Senior Technical Advisor in Decontamination within NHS Scotland Assure. He wrote National guidance in this discipline including best practice engineering guidance, planning note guidance and compliance guidance for Central Decontamination Units, Local Decontamination Units and Endoscope Decontamination Units.

Andrew’s expertise contributed and helped to plan newly built decontamination facilities across Scotland including Orkney and the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank.

He also provided support on major decontamination incident investigations in NHS Scotland.

Tributes

The Director of NHS Scotland Assure, Julie Critchley said “Andrew set quality standards of practice through his expertise, dedication and passion towards patient safety. Through his works, Scotland’s decontamination agenda is well recognised in the UK and other parts of the world.”

His Manager of over 15 years, Sulisti Holmes (Head of Decontamination and Incident Reporting Investigation Centre) “Andrew made enormous contributions to the decontamination agenda in NHS Scotland while also bringing us joy through his kindness and sense of humour. His legacy will remain forever.”

Tributes from colleagues over the years

“Andrew was a good friend and colleague. Very generous and helpful, always willing to listen and advise. Called him many times to get his opinion and he always had new perspectives and took time to talk things through. He loved that. Will miss him”

“A big loss to NHS Scotland and decontamination”

“Andrew was a lovely man with a great sense of humour”

“Andrew was one of the nicest guys you could meet and had endless knowledge within decontamination/medical devices. He will be sadly missed”

“Another huge loss within our discipline. A great man and great servant to NHS Scotland”

“I worked with Andrew for many years at Andersen Caledonia and a nicer man you could not meet, and always made me laugh”

The musical inspiration for Andrew’s constitution

The parody speech from Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, featured in one of Andrew’s favourite songs Iron Sky by Paolo Nutini, had a strong influence on him and inspired his thinking in writing the constitution. Ideally, view this to get the full impact here;

Andrew’s Constitution for Scotland

Andrew created his vision of a constitution because he had a deep sense of hope (Bruadarach - Scottish Gaelic for a better future) and belief that Scotland deserved more than political cycles and short-term agendas. “We deserve a shared foundation rooted in fairness, dignity, and compassion.”

After nearly two decades working in the NHS, he then experienced firsthand the power of a system built on care, equality, and public service. These values which are so central to our national identity deserve to be protected, not left vulnerable to the changing tides of politics.

Scotland, like many nations, stands at a crossroads. Around the world, we are witnessing the erosion of democratic norms, the rise of populism, and the rollback of hard-won rights. In this climate, a written constitution is not just a legal safeguard—it is a moral necessity.

It is a declaration that the people of Scotland are sovereign, that our rights are not negotiable, and that our future must be shaped by shared purpose, not partisan interest. This constitution is his attempt to give voice to the values he believed define us as a nation: social justice, equality, a healthy environment, and above all, kindness. It is a call to protect what matters most—our people, our land, and our collective well-being.

It is a framework for a better future, one where power is exercised transparently, rights are upheld unconditionally, and every citizen is empowered to hold those in authority to account.

It belongs to all of us. That is why we invite you to read it, reflect on it, and vote for the statement that for you, best captures its spirit. The most popular choice will become a living reminder of our shared responsibility to each other and to future generations.

The principles of each Article

Article 1: Of Scotland Means You, Me, and This Land Are One

• The people, the land, and the culture of Scotland are indivisible and interdependent.
• The Constitution recognises that a healthy society depends on a healthy environment, and the protection of nature is a shared responsibility.
• The rights of individuals are inseparable from the rights of communities and the well-being of the land itself.

Article 2: The People’s will is first

• The will of the people shall be the foundation of all government in Scotland.
• No authority, foreign or domestic, shall override the expressed will of the people.
• The People’s Will is first and must be reflected in all institutions, laws, and public decisions.

Article 3: Duty of the People to Protect, of Scotland

• The government and public institutions exist to serve and protect the People of Scotland.
• It is the duty of the state to uphold and advance the rights of every person, including access to healthcare, education, fair work, housing, and a healthy environment.
• These rights shall not be diminished, removed, or ignored by any administration.

Article 4: The rights of Scotland

• Every individual has a duty to uphold this Constitution and to protect the values and rights it enshrines.
• This includes the active defence of democracy, social justice, equality, and a healthy environment.
• The people have the right and the responsibility to hold power to account, and to resist any action or policy that threatens the common good.

Version 1

The Constitution of Scotland

The People’s Will comes first. Scotland means you, me, and this land are one. Our government and our people share a duty to protect our rights—to healthcare, education, fair work, and a healthy environment. Rooted in purpose and expressed through everyday kindness, this calls on each of us to live by these values: act with fairness, care for others, and help build a better future together.

Version 2

The Constitution of Scotland

The People of Scotland are sovereign. The People’s Will comes first. It is the duty of government—and of every individual—to protect the rights of all, including access to healthcare, education, fair work, and a healthy environment. Rooted in shared purpose and brought to life through everyday kindness. It should not only be upheld by government, it is a commitment we each carry—to treat others with dignity, act with compassion, and uphold the values that strengthen our communities. The aim is simple but profound: to create a fairer, kinder, and healthier Scotland where everyone can live well, work with dignity, and raise their families in safety, equality, and hope.

Version 3

The Constitution of Scotland

The People’s Will is first, rooted in shared purpose and everyday kindness. The duty of government is to uphold the people’s will by protecting our rights to healthcare, education, fair work, and a healthy environment. Everyone has a responsibility to treat others with respect, act with compassion, stand up for fairness and protect the environment for future generations. By living these values—at home, at work, and in our communities—we help build a Scotland where everyone can thrive.