The ability of the SNP to secure a third consecutive term in office demonstrates in unquestionable terms that the party’s appeal continues to dominate north of the border. There have undoubtedly been blips along the way, with revelations around certain SNP MPs twitter habits and private lives hitting the headlines. But there is little or no dissent within the party’s rank and file, indeed the SNP has enjoyed an uncharacteristically harmonious period over the last nine years in office, which shows no real signs of abating.
This May’s election also heralded something of a renaissance for the Greens, who tripled their numbers from two to six MSPs, and even more so for the Conservatives who have become the de facto party of opposition within the Scottish Parliament. Aligned to this, the collapse of Labour’s vote across the country and, for all intents and purposes, the ongoing political exile of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, reinforces the new Scottish political landscape.
The SNP has outlined plans to utilise many of the new powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament as part of the recent Scotland Act (2016). With plans to abolish the so called bedroom tax, reduce air passenger duty and establish a Scottish Social Security Agency, the SNP’s minority Government will have to work with other parties to ensure these reforms are approved - something the SNP has not had to do for some time.
It is easy to argue that devolution in Scotland is working and there is a genuine feeling of power and control. It will be interesting to watch the English Devolution Revolution roll out and see if the Mayoral candidates can strike a chord with the electorate. Gaining power and control outside Westminster is working for Scotland and while there may be no way back for Labour in Scotland, they could get a huge return on investment for Labour south of the border if they can get voters inspired and communicate the benefits of Devo. As we have seen in Scotland there is no room for complacency when it comes to devolution of power.
In the short term, the upcoming EU referendum could throw the whole devolution revolution into turmoil and while the debate around Scottish Independence has come off the boil in recent months, if the UK votes to leave the EU this would undoubtedly set the wheels in motion for another referendum. Watch this space.
Headlines
Government responds to CLG report on devolution
The Government has published its response to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s report, Devolution: the next five years and beyond, which called for devolution to “go further” and give city regions and combined authorities freedom the devolution of “larger-scale, more comprehensive fiscal powers”. The Government’s response says that it welcomes the “thrust” of this recommendation and says it will work with regions to identify opportunities to extend existing deals “where appropriate”.
Peers “cautiously welcome” devo deals but question imposition of metro-mayors
In its new report, Devolution and the Union, the House of Lords Constitution Committee makes several comments about devolution to English regions. It “cautiously welcomes” devolution deals being developed in England, but expresses concern at the “apparent lack of consideration” given to how these deals will affect the country’s governance, as well as questioning the imposition of directly-elected mayors as part of the devolution deals.
Think tank urges greater fiscal devolution for councils
In a new report, Core Cities UK and Metro Dynamics call on the Government to introduce business rate localisation as part of “a programme of wider fiscal reform” to local authority funding. The report, A Call for Greater Fiscal Autonomy for Our Cities says that cities should move towards fuller fiscal devolution to offset the volatility that business rates bring as the sole source of a local authority’s income.
North West is top region for overseas investment
Analysis by Ernst Young has found that the north west of England attracted the most foreign direct investment projects last year, with a third of all manufacturing projects secured by the UK located in the region. The Financial Times reported that the figures show that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne’s “dream” of a Northern Powerhouse “may be coming true”.
ONS pledges to make statistics devo-friendly
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released a bulletin this week detailing the changes to its statistical collection and analysis that it will make to provide a “solid information base” for local authorities “in this new era of devolved policy-making”. The ONS says that devolution has increased demand for regional and local statistics “in order to monitor the economy and society at a sub-national level”. The ONS intent to hold a conference later this year to discuss the information required by different stakeholders to support successful devolution.
What else is happening?
GREATER MANCHESTER
MP denounces 'sham' health devolution deal
Shadow Minister for Older People, Care and Carers, Barbara Keeley has described Manchester’s landmark health devolution deal as a “sham”, saying she has “grave concerns” about the motives of the Government. Speaking to the Oldham Chronicle she worries that the deal is more about devolving financial risk to Greater Manchester than devolving powers, and expresses concern that the £6 billion devolved “is considerably less than the size of the health and care economy, which is nearer £8 billion”.
LIVERPOOL
Joe Anderson launches bid for Mayoralty
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson has formally launched his bid to become Labour’s candidate in the devo-mayoral elections next year. His announcement comes after Shadow Mental Health Minister and MP for Liverpool Wavertree, Luciana Berger said she is considering entering the race and MP for Liverpool Walton, Steve Rotherham confirms his intention to run for Labour’s candidacy.
SHEFFIELD
BIS confirms Sheffield Northern Powerhouse office closure
The Government has confirmed that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is relocating its Sheffield office to London, resulting in the relocation of 250 civil service jobs. Permanent Secretary at BIS, Martin Donnelly said the decision was intended to “modernise the way the department works" and "had not been made lightly", but the General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, Mark Serwotka said it “flies in the face of what the government claims to want for the north”, adding that “As a northern powerhouse city, ministers should be investing in jobs in Sheffield, not devolving them back to central London."
EAST ANGLIA
East Anglia devolution deal just “days away”
The Peterborough Telegraph is speculating that a finalised deal for East Anglia is only “days away” following comments from Chief Executive of Adnams brewery, Mike Wood who is leading the talks with the government on behalf of council leaders. Mike Wood has said that the regions councils are “edging closer and closer to a deal every day”, with only concerns about geography and the role of an elected mayor yet to be agreed. Councils are expected to vote on the final proposals at the end of June.