Anthony Barnett (London, OK): If you are used to seeing the old regime at play in Prime Ministers Questions you must take a look at this clip of First Minister's Questions in Scotland's beautiful Holyrood parliament. I can't get the clip into OK so go on it here via the BBC report. The future of the UK is being debated by Wendy and Alex - a much more important contest than Boris and Ken. Note the point that Alex picks up at the beginning. Labour has conceded an absolutely stunning constitutional principle: it has accepted that the Scottish parliament has the right to call a referendum that will decide on that country's independence. This is not in legal terms a devolved power; formally only Westminster can decide constitutional issues. But Labour has has now agreed that the referendum, including its all important wording and timing, will be determined in Holyrood.
Online at OK: Democratic Audit's full report, The BNP: the Roots of their Success
Britain is good at dealing with diversity - Kanishk Tharoor
The BBC was right on BNP - it is our political class who have been complacent - Jacob Ignatius
Get over it, better to flush out the whole affair - David Elstein
Ray Bell said:
Sun, 2008-05-11 14:55"The future of the UK is being debated by Wendy and Alex - a much more important contest than Boris and Ken."
Too true, while London was an interesting contest, this one has further reaching consequences.