'Ground shifting' for more powers
What’s your take on the decision by Holyrood’s opposition parties to band together to review devolution and block a referendum on independence?
There are two alternative interpretations. Either, it is a grudging compliment to the SNP, conceding impliticly that Holyrood will have to be given extra powers.
Or it is a concerted effort to isolate the Nationalists by stressing that they could only participate in the promised review by sidelining their objective of independence via a referendum.
OK, let’s slow down a little. What exactly is happening?
The leaders of the three opposition parties at Holyrood - Jack McConnell, Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen - have issued a joint statement.
In that, they object to the SNP executive’s plans to publish a white paper tomorrow setting out plans for an independence referendum - alongside other options for Scotland’s constitutional future.
The three - now, on this issue, a Unionist opposition coalition - say that they will “not give succour to those who want to end the Union”.
They say the SNP have no mandate for a referendum, plainly indicating that, as expected, they would block any such ballot.
But they go further. They suggest, without detail at this stage, that in the months to come they will consider “how best the interests of the people of Scotland can be served”.
What does that mean? Most likely would appear to be a joint parliamentary review of devolution. Not a resumption of the Convention.
Labour, the Tories and the LibDems would take part - with, of course, varying degrees of enthusiasm for enhanced powers.
The LibDems have already set out plans for new tax powers. The Tories have long nodded towards a review, 10 years on from the original devolution white paper. For Scottish Labour, this is relatively fresh territory.
It is stressed also that this opposition initiative would involve not just Holyrood but Westminster too. That’s because it would be down to Westminster to legislate for any change - and because the initiative is distinctly Unionist in tone and intent.
G Brown has been consulted as have the UK leaders of the other parties.
The SNP’s initial response? “Trebles all round”. They say it’s a clear sign that the ground is shifting towards more power for Holyrood.
The opposition three say, no, this stresses the Union - and distances independence, as per the intent of the original Convention. You judge.
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