Vote of No Confidence Survived
This week the pressure created by the SNP's 'at all costs' approach to September's referendum has reached a new high and papering over the cracks is stretching the party machine.
The efforts and focus for the SNP should have been the Euro elections, instead Health Secretary Alex Neil came under pressure to step down, only to be saved from a vote of No confidence by well whipped troops. This has topped a series of events which has shown that any shortcomings of the Government have been swiftly crushed with SNP backbench obedience. On Friday, the Telegraph reported that the SNP had used its majority to “water down criticisms of the Scottish Government’s claims about EU membership” in a report published by the European and External Affairs Committee. This follows last week’s press conference held by Labour, the Lib Dems and Conservatives in which they condemned the watering down of an Audit Committee report which criticised the handling of Police Scotland’s creation. The need to keep an even keel before the referendum is essential for the party, but at what cost? Proper parliamentary scrutiny? Will SNP splintering be more likely in a relief of pressure after a potential 'No' vote?
The timing of the Labour move to bring the motion of no confidence to the chamber the day before the European elections was sly. Speeches by Conservative, John Lamont, and Labour's Richard Simpson were cutting. They argued that although the opposition felt Neil had performed soundly in the role, he had misled parliament, there had been a conflict of interest which he had tried to cover up and there was little trust left in the Cabinet Secretary. Unfortunately for the SNP, the story still has legs.
After an evening on Newsnight Scotland with Gordon Brewer, Richard Simpson was prompted to write to chief civil servant Peter Housden to investigate his involvement. The ministerial code states that where Ministers “have to take decisions within their portfolio of responsibility which might have an impact on their own constituency...they should advise the Permanent Secretary...of the interest, and responsibilities should be arranged to avoid any conflict of interest.” We shall see, but perhaps it was a short swan song for the axed Newsnight Scotland which will be replaced by 'Scotland 2014' in the run up to the referendum.
Euro Elections – Scotland Style
The European election in Scotland has focused on who will pick up the sixth seat (currently held by the Lib Dems). UKIP, the SNP and the Greens are all making a push for it. If UKIP don’t take the seat, the SNP will make the most of the division of opinion on Europe and migration between the English and Scots – a further dividing line and motivation for Scotland to go it alone. Although the most recent polls have suggested that the ‘Yes’ vote is slipping back (Yes – 34%, No – 46%, Don’t Know – 20%), the SNP are still expecting to poll well and a sixth (their third) seat in the European Elections would be a timely boost to morale.
It is clear that the overriding issue remains independence and the vote of no confidence has demonstrated the highly charged political atmosphere in parliament that has been created. However, with the inbuilt SNP majority, the vote shows
how difficult it is for the opposition parties, even when united, to make mud stick.
And finally….a little bit of shopping news
The Rural Affairs Committee approved an instrument this week for the introduction of a 5p charge on single-use carrier bags. In 2011, Wales introduced the same charge which reduced consumption of plastic bags by 76% in the first year. With the European Parliament voting in favour of legislation which will mean member states will have to cut plastic bag use by 80% in the next 5 years, the growth of the ‘Bag for Life’ will soon be skyrocketing!
Tim Watkin
Client Executive, Grayling