Matt Gwilliam argues that devo-max is constitutionally untenable, turning the West Lothian question into a crisis
One of the most contentious issues around a referendum for Scottish independence is whether or not so-called devolution-max should be offered as an option. But as Matt Gwilliam argues, devolution-max creates far more problems than it solves.
Cameron’s apparent decision to force the pace of the Scottish independence is a gamble but possibly the right one. Politically it may be the astute move played against a backdrop of growing impatience in the rest of the Union with a Scottish leader in grave danger of overplaying his hand.
If the UK government gets its way, a straight up or down referendum is a good policy from a prime minister keen to change his possible fate from the one who resided over the end of the Union, to the one that closed the issue for a generation.
The polling shows that Scots have limited appetite for full independence, but are keen on the idea of devolution-max, a policy that many feel would continue to fuel the debate about independence for years.
If it may be the right thing politically, it is also the right one democratically. The oft floated, devolution-max option pushes the barely tolerable status quo of devolved power to Scotland and Wales but not England to breaking point.
Allowing just one of our nations into a position of such autonomy changes the nature of the entire country and stretches our current parliament past its limits. With so much power devolved, is it really appropriate for Scottish MPs to vote on almost anything but the most blatant of pan-UK issues?
A compromise whereby Scottish MPs are barred from some votes seems problematic and unlikely. What would be considered a UK-only issue and who would decide this? For example, if Scotland has major tax-and-spend powers, is a UK budget really a clear-cut pan-UK issue? If Scottish MPs were barred from voting, a government could struggle to pass a budget.
More significantly, could a party with a narrow majority made up of Scottish MPs really claim to have a mandate to govern at all?
With all the associated trappings and power that government could block and obstruct debates and legislation on non-Scottish issues.
A shadow government made up of opposition parties could emerge within parliament that would dictate legislation on non-Scottish issues whilst the actual government would be forced to implement them. The minister responsible for universities would have no say over legislation for that department.
Any solution to these problems would seem inelegant and require fundamental changes to our constitution and the relationship that all the people of the Union have with their governments. Therefore, any move towards devolution-max requires the consent of the entire Union.
Scotland is its own nation and a referendum on independence should be respected. Devolution-max however, raises so many issues about the nature of the UK that it should only occur after a wider UK debate and with the consent of all nations.
See also:
• SNP: Cam’s “economic uncertainty” argument is nonsense; we’ll stick to our timetable – Humza Yousaf MSP, January 9th 2012
• Scottish Labour leader: “I want the referendum to be held as quickly as possible” –Johann Lamont MSP, January 9th 2012
• Salmond tells Westminster it’s time to end interference in Scotland – Ed Jacobs, October 24th 2011
• Super-confident Salmond has the air of a man who seems untouchable – Ed Jacobs, September 8th 2011
• Nomination for most influential left-wing thinker of the year: Alex Salmond – Ed Jacobs, September 3rd 2011
• What do the SNP mean by “independence”? – Ed Jacobs, May 16th 2011
• The five steps to Scottish independence – Professor Robert Hazell, May 7th 2011
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14 Responses to “Devo-max isn’t a solution, it’s a whole new can of worms”
Elaine
So you think the rest of the UK has the right to decide our future in Scotland…….like we get permission or not from people down south. I don’t think we need your permission since you didn’t take over our country as in a war situation but we merged as an independent country against the will of the Scottish people. So if the English people decide we don’t get our Independence its like you own and control us? Nevber going to happen!
Jan Cosgrove
It’s shimple.
Cameron sets his early referendum for the whole of the UK:
Do you want the UK to remain as it is now? 4 answers Yes No Undecided NoView
Done by constituencies which all fit within the 4 nation areas.
If Scotland says No, Salmond runs his 2 options.
Honour satisfied.
If England or Wales say No (or Cornwall of course), well then ….
In NI, interesting if there was a YES in 2 counties (say) but NO in 4 …. oo er missus.
Problem solved. QED
Oliver Cromwell's Chamber Pot
Maybe if Whitehall had offered this to Ireland in 1914 (with an exemption for the six or seven northern counties), and implemented it immediatly instead of waiting until the end of WW1, maybe Eire would still be part of the UK and we could have avoided four decades of bloody mayhem, give the Scots ‘devo-max’ if they vote for it, save the Union…
Selohesra
Of course the rest of the UK have a say – its like a marriage. You are right in that you can unilaterallty seek a divorce but you cannot unilaterally dictate the divorce settlement terms – if you can’t agree on thenm the lawyers become involved. When Scotland get their share of the UK national debt and lose loads of public sector jobs which move to England (as paid for by English) independence may not seem so attractive. Who is going to pick up the tab for the historic government investment in oil industry or indeed bank bail outs in Scotland?
Anonymous
If I understand you correctly, you’re saying that the democratic will of the people of Scotland should be ignored because the English are too lazy to address the West Lothian question?