Elected as the Scottish Conservative leader just thirty months ago, promising that “a line had been drawn in the sand”, Ruth Davidson has not only crossed that line but has fully embraced more powers for the Scottish Parliament.
In a bold move designed to lay to rest the legacy of Margaret Thatcher and Michael Forsyth, Davidson has endorsed the findings of the Strathclyde Commission which are more radical than the confused offering that Scottish Labour produced earlier this year.
Full income tax raising powers, the devolution of Air Passenger Duty, possible devolution of housing benefit and attendance allowance and giving the Scottish Parliament the power to supplement UK welfare benefits, are amongst the eye-catching proposals.
But it’s their proposals for parliamentary and governance reform which will strike a chord with many and may well enhance their vote at the 2016 Holyrood elections.
The SNP government is increasingly seen as a force for centralisation: they have presided over the creation of a single police force and fire service; stripped powers from local government and overturned decisions taken by local councils to refuse onshore wind applications. The Tories propose the reversal of the top-down trend in decision making, with more powers being entrusted to individuals, civic society and councils..
And, in a unicameral parliament without checks and balances, and with a majority SNP government whose backbenchers appear unwilling to be a critical friend of their government, the issue is now one of national importance.
Lib Dem MP, Malcolm Bruce commented that “With a ruthless party machine and no revising chamber to warn, advise or delay, we have a new centralised establishment in Scotland.”
The SNP policy of “one size fits all” ignores differing cultures, priorities and need in different areas, exemplified by the roll out of Strathclyde Police operational practices across Scotland, with no attempt to provide much needed local flexibility.
The Tories also propose to constitute a committee of all UK parliaments and assemblies to consider developing their role including their respective powers, representation and financing.
Whatever their intent this opens a number of possible future directions for the UK constitution which will be welcomed by the Liberal Democrats and others who support a federal Britain. As devolution throughout the Kingdom develops, as London becomes increasingly semi detached from Westminster and as Europe continues to legislate on a supranational level, it is a timely suggestion.
Students of Scottish politics know that a major driver in the rise of the SNP vote was the failure of the Conservatives to accept the inevitability of devolution prior to the Parliament’s establishment and indeed for some time afterwards. In essence the Tories vacated the political arena leaving many of their natural supporters looking to the SNP to stop Labour governing.
Coupled with the Scottish Conservatives increasing their vote at the European elections despite UKIP doubling their vote, Davidson’s latest initiative may just have given her party a new lease of life and boosted its prospects of playing a more central role in Scottish political life.
Keith Geddes
Policy Director, Pagoda PR