Devolution

Q. Has Devolution Worked? Tell us your thoughts.

Scotland

Has it worked, some would yes some would say no. The two most recent by-elections suggest that the Scots are not sure themselves. Before the recent financial crisis it looked cut and dried, the SNP were the party to be with; they walked the election in Glasgow East overturning a huge Labour majority suggesting that Scots felt the best way forward was on their own. However in the most recent by-election, which took place when the so-called credit crunch was upon us, enough of the Scots felt that they needed the protection of the traditional relationship with London. Although the majority was greatly reduced Labour managed to hold on to Glenrothes.

So where do we go from here. The English cannot carry on subsidising the Scots. The Barnett formula has to be done away with. The Barnett policy was devised in the 1978 by the then Labour government: the outcome was that different areas of the UK got different subsidies paid for by the central government. The formula states that out of every pound central government spends England gets 85p, Scotland 10p and Wales 5p. As Scotland only has 5 million people, which represents 8.3% of the population this formula has led to a situation where identifiable spending on public services in Scotland is £1500.00 per person higher per person than it is in England.

It is time the Scots decided whether they wish to stay in the UK or not. It is plainly ludicrous that Scottish Members of the London Parliament can vote on issues, which affect England only and yet English MPs cannot vote on issues solely affecting Scottish issues.

The cynics amongst would suggest that this is because Scotland is or has been a Labour stronghold and any reduction in powers for Scottish MPs would have a major impact on Labour’s majority votes at Westminster.

The situation in Wales is a little different. They have few of the powers the Scottish Parliament enjoys. For instance they have no tax raising powers; however they do have enough power to cancel prescription charges and other social costs. These cost cutting exercises, while welcome can only be attained because, once again, the Welsh Assembly is heavily subsidised by the English.

The Welsh should also have a vote to decide whether they wish to stay as part of union. If they decide to stay then the Welsh Assembly should become more like a Unitary Authority.

Northern Ireland is again a completely separate issue. It must be time that a vote is taken to decide whether they stay in the Union. The NDP is not for giving into terrorism, but that’s what’s happened in Northern Ireland. The IRA have won however the power that they have now won at Stormont means that they, at least on the surface, have to maintain the rule of law.

The subsidies that England keeps pouring into Northern Ireland need to come to an end and the best way forward is for Northern Ireland to become a separate country. If the people decide that they wish to merge with the South then so be it. I am sure that enough covenants can be written into any agreement, which ensures that for a minimum amount of time, the wishes of protestant religion are upheld by all.

More opinion needed.

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