Smith Commission ("devo more" or "the Vow")

[danny la rouge]

I suppose there should be a thread.

I'm not particularly interested in the extra powers in themselves. I don't think this process can create anything like the opportunity for wresting advantages from the political classes.

But it's instructive that the media is not pressing the process's "guarantor", Gordon Brown, to explain why his promised "as close to federalism as you can get" is not being delivered. He said on other occasions it was "federalism in all but name".



That's what he said the process the No parties all agreed on would deliver.

Is this really as close to federalism as you can get?

The powers that were shelved:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/polit...d-at-the-last-minute-from-smith-comm.25999250

 

[weepiper]

not worth the fag packet it was written on the back of.

 

[toggle]

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffee...home-rule-all-round-we-have-been-here-before/

 

[danny la rouge]

If the new powers were put to the people in a referendum, I'd vote No.

 

[danny la rouge]

For anyone interested, the Smith Commission report is here: (PDF)

https://www.smith-commission.scot/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/The_Smith_Commission_Report-1.pdf

 

[danny la rouge]

Iain MacWhirter calls the Smith commission proposals a "fiscal trap":

http://www.heraldscotland.com/comme...l-doom-scotland-to-a-downward-spiral.25879072

 

[8ball]

...it's instructive that the media is not pressing the process's "guarantor", Gordon Brown, to explain why his promised "as close to federalism as you can get" is not being delivered.

What about the pro-independence elements of the media in Scotland - are they not going after Brown over this?

 

[weepiper]

What about the pro-independence elements of the media in Scotland - are they not going after Brown over this?

You know that until last week, that meant one Sunday newspaper, right?

 

[8ball]

You know that until last week, that meant one Sunday newspaper, right?

And what are they doing?

 

[DotCommunist]

I wouldn't trust gordo to deliver a newspaper let alone federalism lol

 

[weepiper]

And what are they doing?

I haven't read the article but I imagine he comes in for a bit of a bashing here

 

[8ball]

I'd fucking hope so.

 

[danny la rouge]

And what are they doing?

Saying "told you so". It's not really enough, though.

The No vote was not a mandate for the Smith Commission proposals. How can it have been? It wasn't on the ballot paper. It hadn't even been published. So now we've got all parties supporting its implementation (even the SNP are calling for the proposals to be implemented swiftly). But the public won't get a chance to say yea or nay.

And yet, there are good reasons to believe that the proposals will be significantly more detrimental than the current powers. Given the chance, I'd reject it.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

At least the proposal to devolve abortion law was dropped from the final draft.

 

[danny la rouge]

OUTRAGE!

3 Previously Unheard-Of SNP Cllrs have PRINTED OFF THE 1ST PAGE OF THE SMITH REPORT PDF, then taken it to a BIN and BURNED IT!

This is, according to Willie Rennie (Scottish Lib Dem leader) "offensive". According to Scottish Labour's interim leader, Anas Sarwar, it's "disgusting and disrespectful". He went on: "Scots will rightly be disturbed that public representatives feel they can go around burning documents".

Opposition parties have called for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to "react swiftly".


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30302865

I once burned my Poll Tax demands in front of Stirling Council offices. I hope nobody tells the Offence Police!

 

[weepiper]

Lewes burned Alex Salmond

 

[DotCommunist]

in effigy? thats what we seem to have forgotten in england- political effigy torching. Hardly anyone bothers with guy any more even

 

[danny la rouge]

Now the SNP has suspended the BrazierGate councillors, and Anas Sarwar, says Ms Sturgeon needs to apologise personally to Lord Smith and to the whole of Scotland.

She can skip me; I'm not in the least bit offended by the stunt.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30310906

 

[danny la rouge]

Labour MP Jim McGovern compares SNP councillors Smith Commission stunt to Nazi book-burning:

"the National Socialist Party, which became obviously the Nazis, burned books".

Sas, is that you?

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/302061-snp-councillors-suspended-for-burning-of-smith-commission-report/

 

[danny la rouge]

"A referendum on Smith proposals is needed":

http://thepeopledemand.org/?p=527

 

[geminisnake]

Lot of bollocks about naff all!

 

[Sue]

OUTRAGE!

3 Previously Unheard-Of SNP Cllrs have PRINTED OFF THE 1ST PAGE OF THE SMITH REPORT PDF, then taken it to a BIN and BURNED IT!

This is, according to Willie Rennie (Scottish Lib Dem leader) "offensive". According to Scottish Labour's interim leader, Anas Sarwar, it's "disgusting and disrespectful". He went on: "Scots will rightly be disturbed that public representatives feel they can go around burning documents".

Opposition parties have called for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to "react swiftly".


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30302865

I once burned my Poll Tax demands in front of Stirling Council offices. I hope nobody tells the Offence Police!

Worse than the Nazis.


Eta I was joking but just saw Jim McGovern wasn't. Dear Lord.

 

[danny la rouge]

No further word has been forthcoming on why we're not getting a vote on this. We're expected to accept it unopposed.

 

[ibilly99]

Happy New Year from 1947...

 

[danny la rouge]

Here's the Draft Bill:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...le/397144/Scotland_Settlement_PRINT_ready.pdf

 

[Frankie Jack]

The word 'settlement' sounds like it's a done and dusted deal, never to be raised as an issue again.
Still, good to know we've got a bit of 'permanence' taking away the threat that the Parli's jaikit was hanging on a shaky nail.

'UK legislation will state that the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government are permanent institutions.'

 

[weepiper]

fag packet, back of etc

 

[William of Walworth]

At least the proposal to devolve abortion law was dropped from the final draft.

Apologies for not paying attention, but that's the very first I'd heard about that one. What effect would have that have had in Scotland -- detrimental?

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

Apologies for not paying attention, but that's the very first I'd heard about that one. What effect would have that have had in Scotland -- detrimental?

I suspect so - church and chapel still have some sway in Scotland.

 

[geminisnake]

I suspect so - church and chapel still have some sway in Scotland.

Only in some parts, not my experience in the NE.