The Lion and the Unicorn

2003-07-19T22:50:00.000Z

West Lothian Question - 19th July 2003, 23.40

The West Lothian question has come home to roost with the vote on 'foundation hospitals' that was only won for Labour through the support of Scottish MPs. Tam Dalyell sounded suitably prophetic, Liam Fox presented himself in whinging mode but the most uncomfortable stance was put forward by Anne Begg, MP for Aberdeen South:

But a Scottish Labour spokesman said: "It has always been the case that MPs sent to Westminster will be entitled and expected to vote on all issues."

Anne Begg, Labour MP for Aberdeen South, said it was ridiculous to suggest MPs should only vote on matters affecting their constituents.

She said: "That is a nonsense because it means government would not be able to govern Northern Ireland, for instance, where there are no Labour MPs.

"This is a national government, a UK government, and we legislate for things that come before the House of Commons."

Ms Begg said both the Scottish National Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats voted against the government in the Commons on Tuesday.

She added: "It works both ways - if there are people voting against the government from the other parties in Scotland, then it's perfectly legitimate for the government's MPs to do it."

Anne Begg's statement is correct in that the current convention remains in place but does not address the underlying principle whereby representatives have the power to play a pivotal role on English and Welsh matters that would not be the case if the roles were reversed.

If the next election reduces the Labour majority, then this question may become an 'issue' - it isn't yet. The roles of the parties will then come into play. Peter Duncan, Scotland's only Tory MP abstained on principle. As there's only one of him, that stand costs very little for the party. The SNP voted on the grounds that the policy coudl have implications for the Barnett formula. The hypocrites will have to pay for their lipservice to devolution, since they derive some satisfaction of playing a pivotal role at Westminster whilst removing Scotland from English oversight. The Liberal Democrats respect the conventions and recognise the problem - asymmetric devolution.

2002-11-13T21:44:00.000Z

Free Care for the Aged: Socialism in Action - 13th November 2002, 21.44

There is nothing more saintly than offering free care for old age pensioners in their own homes and residential/nursing establishments.

But, like all socialistic endeavours, the Scottish Executive appear to have underestimated the number of elderly who would take advantage of this benefit. The allocation to the Highland Council has proved insufficient by £300,000 leading to those bureaucratic standbys: the waiting list and rationing. Only these idiots would wish to emulate the success of the NHS in other areas and more scottish councils will encounter the same problem.

2002-11-13T21:35:00.000Z

Welsh Assembly falters - 13th November 2002, 21.35

Mike German, Lib Dem leader and Minister for economic development has come to the startling conclusion that the Welsh Assembly is limited by its lack of law-making powers. It is unable to bring in the reforms: tuition fees, free long-term care and proportional representation in local elections that allow these economies to maintain their collectivist ways on English largesse.

How sad that political parties in these countries have turned into insidious intermediaries recycling tax money for their pet projects.

2002-11-03T20:11:00.000Z

A busy week for Wales

The assembly refused to move its local election dates to please No. 10 and raise the profile of the 2004 European Elections.

Rhodri Morgan recognised that the Welsh assembly is still unloved by the Welsh and that his administration had managed to provide free bus passes for the aged and disabled. The Tories called for his resignation and demanded that the new Assembly building would look better as a car park. However, Nick Bourne failed the test by demanding the money went to new children's hospital replacing the efforts of the local community to raise the money through subscription and charity.

How can local communities gain a stake in their institutions and understand the cost if their philanthropy is usurped by the state. Better a local hospital that could opt out of the NHS.

2002-11-03T20:01:00.000Z

Liberal Democratic Conference 3rd November 2002, 20.00

Jim Wallace, leader of the Liberal Democrats, announced at their autumn conference that they should increase their representation in Holyrood next year. To further their "radical agenda", they would introduce a gap year between nursury school and primary school. They would also defend Scottish fishing interests although how they will square this with their undying love of Brussels is a challenge.

Former chief executive, Andy Myles, stated that the Lib Dems should support the EU in order to secure the ecological reputation of the Scottish fishing industry which is, of course, more important than its continued existence.

2002-11-03T19:52:00.000Z

The Auld Alliance: Teaching 3rd November 2002

Cathy Jamieson, Education Minister, defended the 35 hour week that she instituted for teachers, even though it has resulted in a reduction of extracurricular activities and parent/teacher meetings. Teaching in Scotland follows the same process of capture by the professional interests under the promotion of the public sector with the Lib/Lab coalition. Ms Jamieson also announced the thoughtful ways that she could spend more of her subvention.

More signs of the dependency culture.

2002-10-29T22:15:00.000Z

Lords reform

The commission under Jack Cunningham is divided over the options for the House of Lords with an elected component ranging from 20% to 80% of the House. There is also significany division over the role of the Second Chamber.

The guardian emphasises the possible regional components of the new chamber. It appears that there will be divisions between the Lords who favour appointees and the Commons who favour elected members. Moreover, it is rumoured that the Government favours an election for the Upper House at the next General Election allowing a Lords of the same political hue as the Commons. There will be many ructions between the 'appointed peers' and the 'elected peers' schools in the parties especially as possible free votes will turn up in November and the imbalances within the constitution have not been properly debated.

2002-10-29T22:00:00.000Z

Talking Shop

Plaid Cymru has demanded a debate on the Iraqi crisis in the Welsh assembly and has been criticised for wasting time by both the Conservatives and Labour.

In this instance, Plaid Cymru is attempting to extend the role of the chamber as a debating space for Wales and as an attempt to articulate a Welsh response to serious affairs. As the assembly now exists, it would appear that one of its national roles does lie in holding debates on serious issues that affect Wales even if they fall outside the remit of its powers; a wider 'voice' for Wales than one laid down in the law.

2002-10-29T21:55:00.000Z

Another example of the Scottish subsidy culture

Like beggars fighting for crumbs, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities states that it faces a £400m shortfall and that the goverment has retained funds for their own priorities. No ideas on how to cut down on waste or provide value for the hardpressed taxpayer.

2002-10-29T21:49:00.000Z

EU destroys Scottish fishing fleet

It appears that Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner, has demanded a total ban on cod fishing in the North Sea to replenish stocks. Result: the Scottish fishing fleet would die over the next half decade leaving the seas clear for our Med neighbours. Response from the Scottish administration: None.

2002-10-27T20:47:00.000Z

Labour and Tories both make mistakes

New Labour was seen to endorse a single candidate, Bill Miller, for the rankings on the party lists in the European elections of 2004, leading to squeals of pain from the other possible MEPs standing. The Tories backed an Asian candidate in Glasgow, Ashraf Anjum, after his gifts to members of his community to join the Conservative Party were interpreted as bribes. Simon Woolley, national co-ordinator of Operation Black Vote said that whites had been doing it for years, so that's all right then.

2002-10-27T20:39:00.000Z

Another step forward for the Highlands

The Scottish Parliament is willing to accept petitions in Gaelic as well as those other well-known Scots languages: Urdu, Cantonese and Punjabi.

2002-10-26T10:36:00.000Z

Peter meets Rhodri

Fulsome and bland.

2002-10-26T10:33:00.000Z

After New Labour

The title of a new conference in Scotland attended by George Galloway, Andy Gilchrist, the Firefighters leader and Scottish Labour Party chairman: Richard Leonard. Note the connections betweeen the Scottish establishment and the radical left-wing, that is not replicated in England or Wales.

2002-10-26T10:29:00.000Z

Scotland: Green Party depends upon tactical voting

The Green Party is putting forward 68 candidates on the regional lists for the next election and hope to raise their representation from 1 to 8. Minor parties are concentrating on the regional lists and the second vote in order to raise their presence, which could spell diminished numbers for the Lib Dems, Tories and the SNP.

2002-10-25T20:10:00.000Z

<Citizenship rights are perversely reaffirmed

The court case brought by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, confirmed that foreign nationals could be detained indefinitely under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2002 "if they are considered a threat to national security". Lord Woolf pointed out that foreign nationals could be deported whereas British nationals could not, a crucial difference in considering their rights and Britain's security needs.

Liberty does point out that this is the re-introduction of internment for foreign nationals, like Abu Qatada, the notorious European ambassador for Al-Qaeda. He can always leave, but who would have him.

2002-10-25T19:58:00.000Z

Doubts over Hain

Rhodri Morgan found little problem co-ordinating his policies with Paul Murphy, as they shared an office at Wesminster. However, Hain was the campaign manager for Alun Michael in 1998-1999, and could pose a problem for his future enthusiasms in the campaign of 2003 for the Welsh Assembly.

2002-10-25T15:54:00.000Z

Reid lined up for Scottish election - October 25th 2002

John Reid, as the new Labour Party Chairman, knew McConnell at Stirling University and shares his dislike for the Chancellor. In his role as co-ordinator for the party leaders in the devolved regions, Reid will have an influence on the way that the Scottish election is won and appears to strengthen the ties between the metropolitan headquarters, the PM and the regions.

2002-10-13T19:51:00.000Z

It took one year...

Just caught up with the office accounts scandal that is tarring Jack McConnell's name as the Scottish Labour Party continues to acquire a reputation for sleaze. It stems from the long history of Labour controlled councils in Scottish cities that never faced any competition in their rule and have turned into one party fiefdoms. However, as they are ahead in the polls, I am unsure if this will harm them, unless it claims the scalp of another leader. Three in one Parliament!

2002-10-13T19:45:00.000Z

Scottish Conservative party faces an uphill battle

Irvine Laidlaw, contributed £2 million to the Scottish Conservative Party for their first devolved elections in 1999 and allowed them to outspend their rivals and put forward an energetic campaign. This source of money is no longer available and the Tories will have to start using their imagination on a budget of £650,000.

It should force them to start rebuilding their local associations and obtain financial donations from a more popular base, if that is possible.

2002-09-19T20:07:00.000Z

Scottish PR

McConnell has started to pre-empt the possibility of a minority labour administration after the 2003 elections by meeting Lib Dem demands for proportional representation in local council elections using the 'single transferable vote' system. Therefore, Labour ensures that its junior coalition partner remains amenable to a new partnership agreement in the event of Labour losing seats and publishes a draft bill, inevitably lost, before the 2003 elections. The Lib Dems have played a poor hand in power as most of their demands were also popular on the Labour left, ensuring that any leader could appease them and maintain or increase their grassroots support. On the issue of PR, where the Labour party is opposed, no headway has been made..

2002-08-27T20:23:00.000Z

Further Administrative Expansion for the Welsh Assembly's Powers

The Welsh Assembly could gain powers over controlling the location and establishment of windfarms as well as the local powers required to combat contagious agricultural diseases like foot and mouth.

2002-08-20T20:32:00.000Z

Richard Commission on the Assembly of Wales

The terms of reference for the Welsh Assembly included a remit to set up a commission that would review the first term of the assembly: for the efficacy of its administrative abilities vis a vis Whitehall and the electoral procedures established.

The Richard Commission was established under Lord Richard of Ammanford, a Labour peer whose biography is not included in the press release, in order to give a veneer of impartiality. The head of this Commission should not have had any overt political affiliation.

There are four members appointed by each of the political parties and five "public" members who answered an advert and were interviewed by Lord Richard. Lo and behold, two of them are former chief executives of local councils, a skill required in navigating the murky depths of local politics.

They have to report by 2003: no further powers except some tinkering at the edges; and party lists to further erode constituency recognition. I hope that Plaid Cymru and the Tories are not too disappointed at this Lobour influenced commission that will probably give an A* for effort in the next exam year.

2002-08-16T21:26:00.000Z

Jack McConnell's Unionism

In an interview in the Financial Times, Jack McConnell, Scotland's first minister, accepted that the high turnover of the executive; the unpopularity of 'spin' and the debacle of the high price paid for the Holyrood Parliament had undermined the legitimacy of the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition.

With an eye on the elections in 2003, McConnell rejected any changes to the devolutionary settlement and maintained the course of 'minimalism' that has characterised the first term of the Scottish Parliament. The governments have adopted certain policies like student grants and free long term care taht provide a distinctive welfarist tinge to Scottish politics but have not advocated or used any of the fiscal powers that they hold.

As a unionist, McConnell refuses to engage the SNP in debate about the powers of the Scottish Parliament and remains firmly wedded to the partnership with Westminster.

2002-08-15T11:06:00.001Z

Water, Water everywhere and drinkable after boiling

There has been a spurt of problems for Scottish Water over the last fortnight due to outbreaks of Cryptosporidium, a nasty bacterium caused by sheep faeces that send you running to the toilet.

The episode has shown the disadvantages of retaining services under political and executive control (for which, a libertarian would read statist), as the Environmental Minister, Ross Finnie, decided when warnings should be made, and has had his judgement called into question by the SNP and the Tories because of a delay. Moreover, it appears that Scottish Water had not set in place systems to properly monitor possible dangers to the health of its cutsomers.

Ministers have also called for a review of Scottish Water's own arrangements to ensure that it holds accurate information on its networks.

However, as this is seen as an issue of public health and municipal services, the Scottish Executive has swung into action by setting up an "ad-hoc group of ministers" who have concluded that they require "greater clarity and transparency" and have convened an "expert group". This is an addition to Scottish Water and a drinking water regulator. Does Scotland also have a normal water regulator?

2002-08-15T11:06:00.000Z

2002-08-06T21:58:00.000Z

Practical measures to alter the political balance of the House of Lords

The new retirement measures announced recently by the government in order to encourage elderly peers to retire are a precursor to the establishment of the House of Lords reform committee. This package would ensure that hereditary peers and life peers would step down, if aged between 70 and 80, allowing the membership of the second chamber to more closely reflect the vision of political representation that Labour and the Liberal Democrats envision.

The reform committee will be chaired by Jack Cunningham or Frank Dobson, and will be composed of all political parties plus crossbenchers. However, Lord Oakeshott of the Liberal Democrats has already outlined a new structure, removing the hereditary peers, the judicial lords and the bishops and reduce the membership, making room for an elected element.

Recent government memoranda talk of "extra pressure on some of the existing peers to stand down, since it was necessary to try to alter the age profile and gender balance of the Lords". No doubt younger, female members of New Labour are the ideal type to fill this role!

2002-07-25T20:50:00.000Z

Blair edges closer to direct rule

This government does not want to admit that one of its major 'triumphs' has not acquired an air of permanence. Tony Blair and John Reid made their announcement on ceasefires, tightening or restating their definitions of what was acceptable, and stopping short of acting on an endless list of provocations. However, with the IRA preparing a campaign in the shadows and the loyalists battling for territory on the ground in Belfast, the issue is rapidly becoming one of "who governs Northern Ireland?".

Even the political parties can no longer forge a consensus on combatting paramilitary activity, blaming each other's extremists for the crisis, and inching closer towards direct rule. After all, with the loyalist organisations no longer observing a ceasefire, why cannot the authorities imprison those terrorists released on license?

2002-07-22T21:39:00.000Z

A 'Law and Order' Problem?

The above phrase is the latest description that the Unionists apply to the increasingly lawless and uncontrolled paramilitary groups that terrorise various areas of Belfast and indulge in a nasty form of urban 'ethnic cleansing' using young rioters and petrol bombs at the euphemistic "interfaces". Read the Northern Ireland news site on the BBC and this has become a daily refrain for both republicans and loyalists. Now, the old stagers have dug up their guns and the first of the victims is again shot dead by the Red Hand Defenders.

This "measured military response" is surely the announcement of those who do not observe a ceasefire. Is it not time that this government, who released most of the murderers and terrorists after the Good Friday Agreement, saved their diplomatic baby by implementing the sanctions that were put in place to punish those unwilling to abide by the rule of law? Why not arrest every rioter and imprison them? Why not jail every member of the UFF released on license? Why not punish those who break the peace?

Because you are weak and are unwilling to take the risk that you may have to go to war again, even at the cost of your agenda of appeasement. Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists are the only electoral winners from the collapse of the pro-Agreement parties and this assembly seems doomed to fail. The only losers are the people of Ulster.

2002-07-21T10:55:00.000Z

Is the Northern Ireland assembly a viable constitutional settlement?

The government will make an announcement on Wednesday (July 24th) as Trimble is again threatening to walk out and collapse the assembly, hence the timing at PMQ just before Parliament goes into recess. The stability of the power-sharing political settlement remains a permanent cause of "crisis" and as elections loom, the pro-Agreement consensus appears to be a myth as far as the Unionist/loyalist community is concerned.

Has Blair forgotten that the Unionists still wield a veto? He acts as if Sinn Fein/IRA have one but does not acknowledge the power of the other side, a lack of attention that he could regret.