Lord Bruce of Bennachie insisted yesterday he is more committed than ever to the case for a federal UK as he made his maiden speech in the House of Lords.
The former Liberal Democrat deputy leader also reminisced fondly about his 32 years as Gordon MP.
Addressing colleagues during a debate on the strategic defence and security review, he said he never dreamed when he stood for election in 1974 and lost his deposit that he would end up a member of the upper house.
He told peers that Gordon is not a place, but the heartland of the Gordon family, historically headed by the Dukes of Gordon.
These included General Gordon of Khartoum, he said, and the 18th-century duchess who recruited soldiers for the Gordon Highlanders with a kiss.
He also pointed out the constituency had produced a prime minister in Lord Aberdeen who appointed William Gladstone to his cabinet.
To laughs from peers he recounted a story about the late Dowager Marchioness of Aberdeen’s concern for his fate in the 1987 election.
He said she endeared herself to him with the words: “Malcolm, I am so pleased you got back. I was worried you might lose. I was so worried in fact I very nearly voted for you.”
In a wide-ranging speech he expressed his firm commitment to a federal future for the UK which would enable Scotland to be self-governing within rather than outside the Union.
He also spoke of his pride in his 10-year tenure as chairman of the Commons international development committee.
He highlighted the importance of soft power in effecting change, but said it could only deliver tangible results over time.
With that in mind, he warned against “chopping and changing” priorities too quickly and too often.
In particular, he said in addressing the current refugee crisis it was important not to divert funding from vulnerable communities in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.