The Sunday Herald reports that Gordon Brown has stamped his authority over matters constitutional for Scotland over that of Wendy Alexander.
The article (which blogger won't let me link to for some annoying reason) perfectly encapsulates the eternal problem for any leader of the Scottish branch of the British Labour Party. Just as John Balliol had to pay homage to Edward I, so too must by necessity Wendy Alexander appear penitent before her superior Gordon Brown.
Any politician who operates in a UK wide party will have a UK leader who will attempt to stamp their authority over their Scottish junior equivalent.
That Brown wants to have the much venerated Constitutional Commission proposed by Labour, Tory and Liberal alike to be reduced in status to a "working party" further undermines the future of this body. Previously I have stated that such has been the number of policy areas that various UK ministers refused to countenance being devolved this Commission would barely be worthwhile meeting in any meaningful fashion. Today's news further reinforces that impression.
What is truly astonishing though is Brown's reported views that Whitehall (i.e. him) should decide on Scotland's future.
No one person has any right to set the boundaries on the onward march of a nation. Whether Broon likes it or not (and he doesn't) it will be the Scottish people that rightly decide the future direction of their country.
3 comments:
"it will be the Scottish people that rightly decide the future direction of their country."
Well, clearly it will not be, since we're all about to be dragged kicking and screaming into Europe...
Where's my referendum?
It's all very well and good telling off Labour for kowtowing to London - but London isn't the greater threat to Scotland when it comes to deciding the future of our country - at least we stand some chance of electing some of the people in London!
I like the Edward I and Balliol comment. Very cheeky.
Regarding the comment from angry steve that "we're all about to be dragged kicking and screaming into Europe" I would only note that we have been in "Europe" - both geographically and politically -for a very long time.
In any case, the UK had a referendum in 1975 on "Europe" and the vote was 2-1 to stay in the Common Market. When was the Scottish independence referendum?
Like Willie I love the Balliol comment. Good article Jamie, you're coming on lol. A
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