Beginning To Take Notice
Sat 15 Aug 2009 By Richard Thomson
For as long as anyone can remember, the devolution debate in Wales has been towed along by developments in Scotland. But that is changing, and Wales might now set the pace of reform...
Saturday, August 15, 2009
S&I Elsewhere - waleshome.org
I have a new article up on the excellent waleshome.org site. Please go and take a look.
Beginning To Take Notice
Sat 15 Aug 2009 By Richard Thomson
Beginning To Take Notice
Sat 15 Aug 2009 By Richard Thomson
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3 comments:
I enjoyed your article and I think you raised many points worth considering.
1st a clarification. There is no indication that Catalunya ARE satisfied with their lot. In fact, opinion polls are quite similar to those in Scotland: 35% for outright statehood, 50% to remain devolved as part of Spain, rest undecided.
2nd an opinion: I don’t think free prescriptions is good policy, not after seeing the results in France, where a whole range of prescriptions are dolled out, impacting the increase of drug resistance . The weak link in this policy is human nature especially with anything, ostensibly, FREE.
There is no denying that we in Scotland have not been keeping close enough tabs with the other assemblies, especially Wales. The question I have is what difference would it have made till recently?
The Labour lead coalitions only kept very loose tabs with each other and Westminster was more than happy to leave the assemblies to fight their corner. Interaction with Westminster has been bipartisan, resulting in agreement or gridlock or outright hostility (since the SNP minority rule manifested). Here I see the divide and conquer strategy or at least a system where Westminster can be intransigent to any assembly individually.
What has not happened or at least not fast enough, is the ability for the assemblies to work together in dialogue with Westminster. Kind of ironic in a Stronger Together way!
One episode where the assemblies could have had an effective impact on the flow of events was the DEFRA foot and mouth outbreak Scandal, especially on how the different regions tried to coordinate animal welfare(devolved) with Disease control (reserved) and the result that hill farmers got zero compensation. Not forgetting that every single Labour MSP in Scotland voted against compensating the Scottish Farmers.
So, in conclusion, what we need is that the devolved areas can have regular formal interactions with Westminster. This will ensure more focus on what’s going on in Wales through direct involvement.
I enjoyed your article and I think you raised many points worth considering.
1st a clarification. There is no indication that Catalunya ARE satisfied with their lot. In fact, opinion polls are quite similar to those in Scotland: 35% for outright statehood, 50% to remain devolved as part of Spain, rest undecided.
2nd an opinion: I don’t think free prescriptions is good policy, not after seeing the results in France, where a whole range of prescriptions are dolled out, impacting the increase of drug resistance . The weak link in this policy is human nature especially with anything, ostensibly, FREE.
There is no denying that we in Scotland have not been keeping close enough tabs with the other assemblies, especially Wales. The question I have is what difference would it have made till recently?
The Labour lead coalitions only kept very loose tabs with each other and Westminster was more than happy to leave the assemblies to fight their corner. Interaction with Westminster has been bipartisan, resulting in agreement or gridlock or outright hostility (since the SNP minority rule manifested). Here I see the divide and conquer strategy or at least a system where Westminster can be intransigent to any assembly individually.
What has not happened or at least not fast enough, is the ability for the assemblies to work together in dialogue with Westminster. Kind of ironic in a Stronger Together way!
One episode where the assemblies could have had an effective impact on the flow of events was the DEFRA foot and mouth outbreak Scandal, especially on how the different regions tried to coordinate animal welfare(devolved) with Disease control (reserved) and the result that hill farmers got zero compensation. Not forgetting that every single Labour MSP in Scotland voted against compensating the Scottish Farmers.
So, in conclusion, what we need is that the devolved areas can have regular formal interactions with Westminster. This will ensure more focus on what’s going on in Wales through direct involvement.
Thaks for the thoughtful comment, David.
Richard
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