Please, sir, I want some more
This week in the world of Scottish politics started with something of a bang, albeit one which may in time be seen as a whimper.
Campbell I was, in the way of such things, followed by Campbell II, as Ming released an enhanced version of the Lib Dems’ ‘radical’ vision for substantially increased financial powers for the Scottish Parliament.
Not to be outdone, Labour’s biggest beast emerged from something of a slumber when former PM Gordon Brown attempted to unite his squabbling party on the issue of devo max / devo plus / devo more (please circle preferred terminology). Gordon’s ‘radical’ agenda wasn’t quite as radical as Ming’s ‘radical’ agenda, but there’s little doubt it’s far more radical than the very un-radical status quo.
As for the Tories, they go into their Spring conference this weekend. They’ll be talking about devolution, no doubt, and although they won’t report until May, some of their number are also keen on a ‘radical’ pro-devo agenda. Whether it’s as radical as radical Labour or as the even radical-er Lib Dems remains to be seen.
For what it’s worth, Nicola Sturgeon (who unquestionably has a radical solution to devolution), made it clear that she thinks it’s all baloney and that the Unionists won’t be able to agree on the price of milk, let alone a new constitutional settlement for Scotland.
She may be right. Labour’s internal gap on the issue of more devo is nothing compared to the gulf which will open if they decide to get back into bed with the Tories on a set of agreed parameters to guide a new constitutional settlement. They did it on Better Together, and on ruling out a currency union; can they bring themselves to three-peat? We’ll see.
Return of the Guvnor
Mark Carney re-entered the #indyref debate again this week at a Westminster committee. Just as they were when he came to Scotland, his words were measured and in theory innocent, but they were again thick with meaning. Last time, the insinuation was that if a currency union was to be agreed it would involve a significant loss of Scottish sovereignty. This time, there was talk of RBS having to move south in order to comply with EU rules. He’ll be a popular man in Downing Street (until he sticks up the interest rate, that is....).
FMQ
Predictable this week, as all three opposition leaders went for questions about The Gers. No, hold on, I mean questions about GERS. The script was something along the lines of the opposition leaders saying that Scotland is in deficit to the rUK, with the FM saying that rUK is in deficit to Scotland. Variations included opposition leaders saying that there wasn’t enough oil, taxes would go up and spending would fall, and the FM responding that there was lots of oil, taxes wouldn't rise and spending wouldn't fall.
None of them, presumably, were aware of just how pathetic the general public find those arguments. Not to worry - only 6 months to go...
Andy Maciver
Director, Message Matters