Gracious speech
Did you catch that line in the Queen's Speech?
"My government will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in the interests of all the people of the United Kingdom".
Which simply means, I suppose, that Her Majesty's United Kingdom Government will seek to sustain a working relationship with those ministers elsewhere who have also sworn an oath of fealty to the Crown.
However, look at the detail. This is substantive. In the speech itself, a succession of proposed Bills will require legislative consent from Holyrood if they are to apply, even in limited form, in Scotland.
These include measures on coroners and justice; equality; local democracy; the marine environment; policing and crime.
That is because these Bills include elements which cover devolved powers.
Further, the UK Government will seek co-operation from Scottish ministers on key objectives such as reducing child poverty, improving skills training and permitting Border Agency officers to implement outstanding warrants in Scotland.
Case-by-case
To be clear, much of the Queen's Speech applies across the whole of the UK - especially the keynote measures on banking regulation, political parties and immigration.
But much more will require a deal between Westminster and Holyrood. Scottish ministers say they will consider the requests for co-operation on a case-by-case basis - but my guess is they will be "mature", as one put it, rather than resorting to gestures.
That does not mean, however, that the SNP Scottish Government is impressed by the gracious speech.
As one said: "It's so thin it makes the Calman report look impressive by comparison."
However, UK ministers take a different tack.
The Scottish secretary, Jim Murphy, hailed the widespread relevance of the speech for Scotland - through the headline Bills and, to a varying degree, the other proposals.
PS: Quite liked Dennis Skinner's gag when Black Rod entered the Commons. "Any Tory moles at the Palace". Better one would have been: "Have you got a warrant?"
PPS: Excellent news that Craig Levein has extended his contract with the mighty United.
Now let's get on with the business of securing Lukasz Zaluska. Lukasz, the Arabs salute you!
BLOG UPDATE:
Bruce Crawford, the Holyrood Minister for Parliamentary Business, has confirmed his intention to assist the UK Government in legislating in devolved matters.
He said the Scottish Government would "work constructively" on issues that benefit the people of Scotland.
At the same time, he took a sideswipe at spending cuts coming down the line which, he said, would damage Scotland.
Incidentally, in response to the first poster, perhaps I should have clarified the nature of the legislative consent. For example, re the Coroners and Justice Bill.
I am well aware, Ministers on both sides of the Border are well aware, that there are no coroners in Scotland.
However, it's the Justice bit that applies to Scotland within the wider bill.
There will be measures re driving bans that apply to Scotland directly. And Holyrood consent will be sought with regard to criminal memoirs.
Hope that's clear now.
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)
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re: "These include measures on coroners and justice"
There are no coroners in Scotland.
Investigations into deaths in Scotland are carried out by the local Procurator Fiscal.
The reason why? Because the Scottish law is fundamentally different from English law.
This highlights how ignorant Whitehall and Westminster are of Scotland.
The SNP should tell this lot down south where to stick their Sewell motions.
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From the BBC site
BrianSometime could you identify the "very little" that applies to Scotland? It would be interesting to know whether a UK Bill was the best way.
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In these days of mass unemployment, Craig Levein is wise to hang on to even that job! ( Sorry Brian.) The bills in the Queen's speech that affect Scotland are probably calculated to cause maximum embarrassment to the SNP, either agree to them or be seen to be obstructing bills that were for the benefit of " the poor , the sick, or the underprivileged ". Knowing the way Nu Labour's spin works their will be nothing in it of any value to Scotland unless it gains votes for Labour.
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Why do the SNP bloggers always come onto the site and start slagging off anyone who doesn't think that Alex Salmond is brilliant/Gordon Brown is evil?
I've not read the whole of the Queens Speech yet, but surely we are all agree that the Banking mesaures are worthy?
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old Nat i never thought i would see a sentence with "a duty on councils to promote democracy" .
how many Scottish council's will be able to do that?
kaybraes- yep , the labour party's usual stand point is not what they can do for you it is always what you can do for them !
who would you say was picking fights now??
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Brian,
I'm sure the speech was gracious, as always.
I haven't seen it yet.
Just noticed that the money allocations for London 2012 have been made. Did this coincide with the Queens speech?
Some of the numbers look a bit crazy???
£27.5 million for rowing - seems a bit excessive for a bunch of people rowing a boat.
This is maybe a bit off topic here, but it is connected with the Union and its dividend for Scotland??? but I would like to know how much Olympic money is being allocated to Scotland, and Wales, and Ireland.
It would also be good to get a detailed plan of how big figures like £27.5 million will be spent.
Surely it shouldn't cost as much as Beijing, since there won't be nearly as much travel involved.
Where can we get this information Brian?
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westfifer - as usual with the labour party it will be to little to late.
we handed out billions to save the banks and they are still running rings round darling & brown.
once again Westminster is shown up , they could not negotiate their way out of a wet paper bag.
yes the banks needed the money but did we need to give it to them with no strings attached?
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Re 6
I kind of agree that seems a lot of money to spend on learning how to row a boat. Surely in the current climate they could have managed with a little less? I think this should have been reviewed with a little more vigour.
With regard to the scottish element, we have a British team with some very succesful Scots in it. They seemed quite happy to be British at the Olympics and the comments many have made since would indicate that they quite like this arrangement.
If we had an independant Scotland I would think we would struggle to provide all the facilities top class athletes need in a cost effective manner.
Anyway I think the whole Olympic thing is a waste of money, it will starve grass roots sport of a lot of funding in the near term, won't provide much needed facilities for communities to deal with the Scottish health problem which needs more people taking part in sporting activity.
I also think the Glasgow commonwealth Games is not a good idea, the money spent would have been better invested in facilties across all of Scotland which are absolutely woeful in most parts.
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In such a short space of time Jim Murphy has become the sort of walking-joke, I thought only the previous incumbent was capable of. It really is the office not the individual which does this to the 'Scottish Secretary' (i.e. chief Labour, Government-financed spy and gremlin).
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Re 3
Of course the SNP would never resort to such tactics!
i don't think Alec has much to learn from labour in that department. This is one area he excels in.
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And so the procession of gee-gees arrived with a clattering of hooves and, drawing the Queen of England in her gilded coach, glided sedately into the precincts of the English parliament, recently vacated by the rozzers holding Her Majestic Loyal Opposition to account for holding Her Majestic Government to account. "Who guards the guards?" someone shouted bravely from the crowd before being hustled away by the guards.
Trumpets sound. The panoply of England is displayed in all its antiquated flummery to show where power resides - and is remaining, thank you very much - as the regal couple regales the vulgar onlookers by processing confidently, as if along some well-worn garden path much sauntered along by them down the decades of the long Elizabethen reign, towards their glittering thrones in the House of the Ennobled, who gaze at them obsequiously in the pomp and pomposity of their ceremonial clobber, which sets them apart and indeed above their fellow subjects, the elected representatives of whom, having been summoned imperiously by a gent in tights, running the gauntlet of the Beast of Bolsover as per usual, stream indecorously into the regal presence.
Having received her script and withdrawn it from an ornate ceremonial pouch handed to her ceremoniously by another gent in tights (who seems not entirely convinced that he is the Lord Chancellor of England) before he entertains the assembly by attempting to walk backwards while looking forwards (another English tradition, apparently), the sovereign speaks . . . about a downturn that has turned up, bank deposits, saving gateway accounts and community and individual involvement and so on and so forth ad infinitum. Her government, as she is pleased to refer to the people's ministers, will work wonders, apparently. Yes, ma'am . . . "strengthening the role of parliament" among other things? Vis-a-vis the government, you mean? Tell that to PC Plod, hanging about in the wings in readiness to pounce from the shadows again upon the opposition at a word of command from the Serjeant-at-Arms, who appears to be a woman in tights. Well, that's more like it..
And so all this ancient flummery of knee breeches, ermine, glittering regalia and bowing and scraping and so on and so forth represents the power and the glory to which Scotland must bow down for its own good in the 21st century and render up all its worldly goods while tugging at its collective forelock? You cannot be serious. Cruelty to horses and an insult to the intelligence.
Seriously though, a seriously gracious speech graciously read out. Of course the minority Scottish Government will do what the present constitutional arrangements require of it. Long may these arrangements not continue.
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#6 HughEdinburgh & #8 northhighlander
The world is in economic meltdown. Lets have a party????Did you see this Times story on the Olympics bid?
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"It's so thin it makes the Calman report look impressive by comparison."
Well to paraphrase Mandy Rice Davies "they would say that wouldn't they"
This tedious and predictable reflex sound-bite response seems now to be the stock in trade of the Scottish Government. What about a bit of constructive dialogue and exchange of ideas? After all we’ve got nothing to lose and potentially much to gain. Things are too serious now for this type of low-level public bar political banter.
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It is clear from many of his actions and words - including the threat to actually claw back some of the powers already devolved - that Gordon Brown does not have any real respect for devolution or the Scottish Parliament - although politically he dare not say so.
He is a power-maniac and wants all the power for himself. (Despite what some commentators may say there is no chnace of us joining the Euro so long as he is in power for the same reason).
The MSPs would be well advised to use a very long spoon when supping with GB and the UK parliament. Otherwise, before they know it, they will find Westminster will be creeping back ever further into Scottish politics.
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#13 darwinsmonkey
And your post provided exactly what to "constructive dialogue and exchange of ideas"?
Not that similar comments don't regularly appear from all sides - though far fewer here on Brian's and Mark Mardell's blogs.
I agree, however, with your substantive point.
We don't see much constructive debate in either Parliament or in the media.
There is more here than most fora of political discussion (which is why political parties keep an eye on the blogs).
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northhighlander:
#8.
Let's see. Right, the second paragraph suggests that you have the ability to read the minds of others. To be honest you can not, and should never assume anything. A person can represent Britain but behind closed doors their feelings are different.
....now you have assumed an independent Scotland could never provide world class facilities... why? Are we to incapable or to poor? Do you have a craystal ball that could show the rest of us what and how exactly an independent Scotland would be like?
Back to the Blog:
This will be interesting. I do hope that the UK-Goverment and the Scottish Goverment compromise over the arrangements. I do not want the Scottish Parliament to follow the UK-Government exactly, then what is the point of our own Parliament? I hope that the Scottish Government and the UK-Government sit together and talk about what Scotland needs rather then what they will give Scotland...
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#8, I speak as someone working on Glasgows' Commonwealth games and just to put you in the picture, there are thousands of people currently designing and building facilities including much needed housing in the East End and the economic payback to the games is massive.
Look at what the Garden Festival did for the old docks, the clyde Gateway grew out of that and is now a prosperous area of glasgow which supports local shops and businesses. The year of culture also did the same for the city centre with the redevelopment of Buccannan Street and the Galleries as a centre-piece.
There are currently 20'odd major capital projects either underway or in planning. This creates masses of jobs in the 'much streached' construction industry at a time when people are getting laid off and losing their jobs. It then follows (as the construction industry is the most sensitive to the economic climate) that when construction workers lose their jobs, the sectors they support (ie. retail, housing etc) also lose out on valued custom.
I suggest you think a little harder about making blind statements like the games are not a good idea... you come to the East-end of Glasgow and say that *;o)
In all seriousness, you will probably find that the rowing money discussed earlier of 27.5 million is not going to a couple of dudes in a boat. It will be getting spent on new buildings, club houses and professional trainers to provide everyone from local young kids to olympians suitable facilities to get involved with the sport. (heck it would be better this than kids going out and chibbing people!) Ps. Still in the feasibility stage, but watch out for a new rowing centre being built on Glasgow green to replace the old boathouse... yet another possitive proposal.
Overall, your statement lacks a complete misunderstanding of the work councils do behind the scenes to make life better. I know it's fashionable to slate a council as there will always be many things you will not agree with, but when was the last time you praised what has been done? Chances are you have not. This is because if it doesn't bother you and/or affect you personally, you have no interest. I do not take the same view, as all improvements to this great (but in parts, impoverished) city should be welcomed with open arms.
The SNP came in 2007 with a 'can do' and possitive attitude and whether you are SNP or not, it is a message we should all heed.
Rant over *;o)
Regards,
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#8 northhighlander:
"They seemed quite happy to be British at the Olympics and the comments many have made since would indicate that they quite like this arrangement. "
Based on subsequent comments many made, including Chris Hoy, your assertion is an exaggeration. What many of our olympians said is that the were happy with the funding available to them as part of the UK team and they didn't know if a Scotland only team would receive the same level of funding. Unionists jumped on this to claim that our Olympians would rather be part of a UK team than a Scotland one. As I said, the likes of Hoy came out after those claims to put the record straight.
"If we had an independant Scotland I would think we would struggle to provide all the facilities top class athletes need in a cost effective manner."
Based on what, exactly? Oh, I forgot - Scotland is too poor, too stupid, too wee to field a success olympic team.
For someone who claims not to care one way or t'other re the whole independence / union argument, you don't seem adverse to spout the usual unionist negativety in most of your posts.
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17. BoNG0_1
Bongo, interesting post. What about an alternative?
Let's say we don't spend one penny on the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games and instead spend every single penny earmarked on social and economic development without the fripperries? Do you think that there might be a better return then?
Oh, but then you'd probably have to find another job, and of course, the denizens of Easterhouse, Whitfield, Pilton and the like wouldn't get a boathouse to play in!
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#8 northhighlander & #18 ForteanJo
If all that people want is a high place in the Olympic "league table", welcome to Europe!
Beijing League Table
Europe --- 82 golds
USA ------- 35 golds
China ----- 32 golds
Russia ---- 27 golds
Australia - 17 golds
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#17 Bongo
Sorry but SNP came in with a promise of can do on issues they knew they can't do. What good is that?
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Re bongo and Forteanjo
I make a simple point. The money is spent on a small area of the uk in the case of the olympics, benefiting few at the cost of many. Glasgow will be the same. Most of scotland will benefit diddly squat from the commonwealth games but we will all have to pay. Sports facilities in most of Scotland are appalling.
What we have is an example of politicians buying votes. Which is why I have no desire to replace Westiminster domination with Central belt domination because they are one of the same.
The SNP are no more interested in governing for all of Scotland than Labour is for all of the UK. They all do the same things, cut from the same cloth
And Bongo you make my point perfectly.
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Re 20
Excellent post! What more can be said!
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Salmondella:
#21.
"Sorry but SNP came in with a promise of can do on issues they knew they can't do. What good is that?"
The SNP focused their campaign on the bright and positive features rather then the negatives that we witness from Labour.
This was one of the main reasons for an SNP-victory. Of course I am not denying that the SNP are having trouble with certain policies but they have done well for their first time in Government, especailly as a minority Government.
By the way could you please provide evidence for your comment? I would be keen to learn where you came to the conclusion that the SNP came in with a promise of can do on issues they KNEW they can't do...
Of course as usual more opinion then fact.
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northhighlander:
#22.
This comment proves you do not understand the Olympics, or the CommonWealth Games and the contracts that I presume they will have with the private sector.
"The money is spent on a small area of the uk in the case of the olympics, benefiting few at the cost of many."
This is not correct or at least one hundred percent correct. The Olympics is currently being constructed by many in the private industry from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. Is all the money being spent to benefit one area of the United Kingdom? No, the companies who are based in the other parts of the United Kingdom, where their employee's obviosly stay will no doubt continue to spend money localy (back homeof course). The main problem for this is that only a small percentage of contracts was awarded to Scottish companies, so the benefits are not spread out to the entire country.
The CommonWealth Games would work in the similar way though. Scottish companies from all over Scotland will no doubt, or most likily be rewarded all or a great majority of the contracts (since Scotland is hosting the games). The wealth will be spent all over Scotland, do you understand? Of course people will manage to arrive at any of the airports in Scotland for the CW Games. It's several hours drive from the main cities to Glasgow, unlike the Oylmpics which if you arrived in Scotland then you are unlikily going to spend much time here when you have to be at London to watch the Olympics.
The CW Games has a better chance providing for the whole of Scotland then the Olympics by far, is it a waste? So far I see no reasonable points from you as to why it is a waste.
"What we have is an example of politicians buying votes. Which is why I have no desire to replace Westiminster domination with Central belt domination because they are one of the same. "
Ignorance is beginning to show. Westminister and Edinburgh are incredibly different. While Westminister tries to cater for many economies, some more important then others and while taxes etc are set for the whole of the United Kingdom for their 'super power' games, Edinburgh has less to worry about and less to work with when it comes down to the economy and what not.
Even the simple, Scotland chooses her leaders and has the ability to remove the unpopular leaders, while at Westminister Scotland does not have that type of influence. Especailly when the Conservatives are popular or in power. Is that the same at all?
See, London (Westminister) and Edinburgh are totally different in reality. And attempting to paint the picture that they are the same is almost insulting.
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#22... I make which of your point's perfectly?
The East-end of Glasgow (if you have ever been there?) was chosen specifically due to the fact that it is severely empoverished. Infact Glasgow would never have won the games without demonstrating clear plans to improve the area and provide a lasting legacy. It is not true to suggest that other areas of Scotland will not gain benefits. (Edinburgh have the high-diving event for example and Aberdeen gains the 50m olympic pool that it has long campaigned for)... http://www.holyrood.com/content/view/2367/10552/
...so Northhighlander, I don't see that I am making your point... as I am struggling to agree with the points you have made.
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26. BoNG0_1
Bongo, in terms of the east End, I was born there - it was a pit then, is now and will be after the Olympics and Commonwealth games. I imagine you're a seagull, fly in, do your business then fly back out.
Answer my #19 post, if we jettisoned the Olympics and Commonwealth games and spend all the earmarked cash on social and economic improvements, do you think it would be more or less effective at improving life in Scotland?
Oh, I suppose it would be worse 'cos Aberdonians wouldn't get a swimming pool and Edinburgers couldn't go diving...
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Here's the facts.
The Government's recent borrowing is equivalent to every every household in Scotland (and the UK) being in debt to the tune of £50,000.
The Norwegian's access to oil fund is the equivalent of plus £50,000 to every household in Norway.
That's all, folks
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"Gordon Brown does not have any real respect for devolution or the Scottish Parliament - although politically he dare not say so."
Isn't there something slightly amusing though, that in this time of well, seeing what the future holds interms of devolution/independance, that it is a Scottish PM in Downing Street.. Guess he does have that London born chancellor next door to keep him in check though..
You'd have thought having a Scottish PM would be kinda handy.
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#29 DavieBob_efc
You were born English, but you live in Scotland. Come the day that Scotland has independence, you are free to become a Scots citizen (if you wish - more than welcome and you can still support Everton) or an English/UK/whatever citizen and stay here with all the privileges of a fellow European citizen.
Gordon Brown is British - nothing to do with us mate!
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#30 oldnat
'you are free to become a Scots citizen'
Got to be honest with you, would very much like to. = )
Independance or not would prefer to be a Scottish citizen than anywhere else.
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#27, I am not a seagull as you say. I happen to have lived on London Road for just short of 10 years. Don't make uneducated assumptions my freind. *;o)
It seems to me that you would rather see no improvements at all?... My instincts are usually good and it apears that you would give Victor Meldrew a run for his money.
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32. BoNG0_1
Well, is Victor Meldrew that bad a role model? hahaha.
Sorry about the Seagull assumption, 10 years is almost a life sentence!
Anyway, what about my question? 3rd try....
If all the money to be spent on the Olympics and Commonwealth Games was instead spent directly on social and economic development, would it have a bigger or lesser effect on Scotland?
Don't assume I want no improvements BoNGO, how about I want the money spent directly on improvements, not on Caesar's Games.
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