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.
Watch this: Alex and Wendy will decide our future
This article is published by , and openDemocracy.net under a Creative Commons licence. You may republish it without needing further permission, with attribution for non-commercial purposes following these guidelines. These rules apply to one-off or infrequent use. For all re-print, syndication and educational use please see read our republishing guidelines or contact us. Some articles on this site are published under different terms. No images on the site or in articles may be re-used without permission unless specifically licensed under Creative Commons.
Comments
It's a genuinely fascinating different understanding on things Anthony. At no time did anyone here have a reckoning that any body other than Holyrood would determine the referendums timing and wording.
Indeed the draft bill has been in place for some months now.
It would ask all adult residents in Scotland if they agree that: "The Scottish Parliament (led by executive ministers) should negotiate a new settlement with the British Government so that Scotland becomes a sovereign and independent state" and has been in place since 2006.
We do indeed live in parallel universes, a view certainly echoed by the report analysed here: http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2246202.0.bbc_leaves_scots_poorly_informed.php
"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.
Post new comment